Not another Russian trainer …

What’s the point? There’s no such arrangement in any other AF, as far as I know- the Yak-130 *is* the L-39 replacement. There’s no need for a third aircraft.

Note that the Su-49 has been superseded by the Yak-52M.

S-52 Airplane Project Expects Competition

Almost 2 years ago, a concept design was developed for a jet training airplane (UTS) under the code S-52 at OAO Sukhoy OKB. But the Russian Federation air force up to now has not declared a competition of concept designs for such a UTS.

In the opinion of an informed source in the area of tests and certification of aircraft, the S-52 airplane was developed in accordance with the concept of a training and combat training complex for training cadets at flight schools and improving flight qualifications of line airmen. Such a complex should include an airplane of the Su-49 type with a piston engine, an airplane of the S-52 type for flight training on jet airplanes, and a combat training and training airplane of the Yak-130 type. In accordance with the concept, the ratio of training volumes with the use of the mentioned types – Su-49, S-52 and Yak-130 – is supposed to be respectively 40:40:20, the AviaPort.RU source specified.

According to his information, the S-52 is being created for replacement of the rapidly aging and wearing out fleet of Czechoslovak produced L-39 training airplanes, the number of which in Russia is more than 600 aircraft. The airplane should be executed in a single-engine scheme with an engine in the thrust class of approximately two tonnes.

The fact that in its design composite materials will find broadest application will be a distinguishing feature of the S-52 In comparison with the Yak-130 airplane, the S-52 is supposed to have a cost for one flying hour of less than 1,000 dollars, with a cost of a flying hour for the L-39, an equal 1,000 dollars, but for the Yak-130 airplane – significantly more than 1,000 dollars. Moreover, the S-52 is supposed to be 1.5 to 2 times cheaper than the Yak-130.

It was known at the start of 2003 that the air force was acquainted with the project and it said in an air force decision that the airplane should be developed on the basis of a competition which needs to take place.

Source: 09.06.04, AviaPort.RU, Correspondent: Dmitriy Kozlov