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Russia's Third Yak-130M Prototype Flies in Production Configuration
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation has flown a third Yak-130M prototype built in a configuration intended to represent the upgraded aircraft's proposed production standard. The flight at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant brings the number of Yak-130M test aircraft flying to three, enabling parallel evaluation of the new avionics and mission systems. Developed by Yakovlev from the Yak-130 trainer, the modernization adds equipment intended to improve its light-combat role, including radar-related upgrades and compatibility with guided weapons. The manufacturer has identified 2028 as a target for initial deliveries, but prototype flights do not constitute production certification or a confirmed customer handover.