The Russian aerospace firm United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec, has commenced the development of a new single-engined jet trainer designated as the MiG-UTS. This announcement was made on December 29, 2023, by Rostec.
The decision to develop the MiG-UTS stems from the need to replace the aging fleet of Aero Vodochody L-39 trainers, which have been in service since the 1970s. The current fleet of L-39s, numbering 182 aircraft, has an average age of 37 years. The development of a new, more modern trainer is seen as essential for maintaining the effectiveness of Russia’s pilot training program.
The MiG-UTS will utilize the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25 engine, an engine already in use with the Yakovlev Yak-130, a twin-engined trainer. The use of a single engine for the MiG-UTS is a strategic choice aimed at ensuring the aircraft is both affordable and cost-effective to operate.
Furthermore, UAC plans to incorporate design elements from previous programs, including the MiG-AT trainer, into the MiG-UTS. This approach is intended to accelerate the development process of the new trainer jet.
This initiative reflects Russia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military aviation capabilities, with a specific focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of pilot training.
By Katerina Urbanova, ACE
Photo credit: United Aircraft Corporation
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