Paul Derby
A demonstrator prototype of the Italian/Russian joint venture fighter trainer, the Yak/AEM-130, is being displayed at Paris by partner companies Aermacchi, Yakovlev and Sokol.
Development of the aircraft is continuing, says Aermacchi, with flight testing of four pre-production prototypes due to begin in 2001 and delivery of series production aircraft from 2005.
The company estimates a potential market for 2,300 aircraft in the fighter trainer arena over the next 30 years. It hopes to achieve 630 international sales of the Yak/AEM-130 in that timeframe.
The aircraft will be competing in a crowded marketplace, with competitors such as the BAe Hawk and the MiG-80 vying for the same business.
The governments of Italy and Russia have given their backing to the venture, following the signing of a programme agreement in Rome in May.
The demonstrator aircraft has logged 160 flights since first flight in 1996 and Aermacchi says the aim for the programme as a whole is to create a "common base aircraft" which meets Western standards fully.
It adds that the Yak/AEM-130 has a high thrust-to-weight ratio, a swept wing with variable camber and modern powerplant, making it a competitive aircraft for the trainer market.
Source: Flight Daily News
