The idea of using the Yak-130 combat trainer to combat strike drones has sparked much debate. Some critics believe that using such aircraft is a very inefficient and costly exercise, while others believe that modifications will make the aircraft a universal way to combat the aerial threat.
Mismatch of Tasks and Speeds
Aviation expert Roman Gusarov directly calls attempts to use the Yak-130 against drones "shooting sparrows." According to him, an aircraft with a high cruising speed and approach within a few minutes will lose efficiency in the event of mass attacks.
It is enough to compare the speed of the aircraft and the speed of the drone. Helicopters are most often used for these purposes from among aircraft, their speeds are comparable. Of course, I am not a specialist in the combat use of aircraft, but I do not see the Yak-130 in this role.
In his opinion, the Yak-130 remains a good training base for training pilots, and in this capacity its use in the Aerospace Forces (VKS) looks most preferable.
The onboard complex allows you to simulate different aircraft. For example, if you need a Su-30, it loads all the tasks of the Su-30 for you, and you train combat pilots. In this regard, the Yak-130 is excellent.
Grounding the "Storks" and "Furies"
Vladimir Popov, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation, retired Major General, disagrees with Gusarov. He highly appreciated the improved qualities of the Yak-130 as an "air defense" thanks to new sighting and navigation equipment and an advanced radar station.
The navigation capabilities of the Yak-130 allow it to gain altitude up to 10–15 km in about 5 minutes — good indicators for a small aircraft. That is, it can be used both as an attack aircraft for working on ground targets, and as a fighter to intercept air objects.
Popov added that the capabilities of the Yak-130 make it quite possible to use it as a means of combating "mosquito aviation" — drones such as "Leleka", "Furia" or "Yatagan".
Is the Game Worth the Candle?
The difference in opinions of specialists in one way or another boils down to the ratio of costs and effectiveness. It is obvious that the Yak-130 is cheaper and more versatile than heavy aviation, but its use against small, cheap and numerous drones remains controversial due to low efficiency and the risk of overspending resources.
Probably, a combined approach will be a more practical solution — the use of ground-based air defense systems, helicopters and ground-based equipment together with modified attack aircraft precisely where this is most justified.
Earlier www1.ru reported that Russian attack aircraft used "drone guns" against drones for the first time.
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