An unmanned strike-fighter, which will outmatch US MQ-9 Reaper in terms of thrust-to-weight ratio and flexibility, may be developed on the basis of Yak-130 operational trainer, RIA Novosti reports with reference to Adviser to the First Deputy CEO of KRET (the Russia’s largest holding company in the area of radio-electronics) Vladimir Mikheev.

“Yak-130 has a significant upgrade potential. An unmanned strike-fighter, which will outmatch US MQ-9 Reaper in terms of thrust-to-weight ratio and flexibility, may be developed on the basis of this jet,” Mikheev said. He noted that KRET “already has all the necessary solutions, but a lot of modifications must be made to the jet’s avionics suite”.

Today KRET is developing new radar and new electro-optical target acquisition system for Yak-130; the systems should significantly expand the nomenclature of weapons used by the jet.

Yak-130 is the two-seat next-generation operational trainer developed by Yakovlev design bureau and designed for pilot training and combat missions performed under normal and severe weather conditions. The jet is capable of destroying ground and air targets. This aircraft demonstrates the parameters close to advanced fighters at subsonic speeds in terms of aircraft performance and maneuverability. That is why it is used for training of future pilots of “4+”-generation and fifth-generation fighters. Moreover, it may be operated from unpaved runways.

Radioelectronic Technologies Concern (KRET) is the Russia’s largest holding company in the radio electronics industry; it was established in 2009 and it is a part of Rostec State Corporation. Its major areas of activities are: development and production of avionics suites for civil and military aircraft, radars, friend-or-foe identification systems, EW suites, measuring equipment, electric connectors, cable assemblies, etc.