The Utva Lasta 95 (from Serbian: утва, lit. 'shelduck', and ласта, lit. 'swallow') is a light military trainer aircraft produced by Utva Aviation Industry, subsidiary of Yugoimport SDPR. It is a tandem two-seater low-wing trainer with a metal airframe. The aircraft is capable of basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument and tactical flying, as well as basic training in use of weapons. The first prototype of Lasta 1 flew on 2 September 1985, while the first prototype of the current version, Lasta 3, flew on February 26, 2009. Lasta is the Serbian word for barn swallow.
| Lasta 95 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lasta 95 P2 | |
| Role | Trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Utva (Yugoimport SDPR) |
| Designer | Military Technical Institute |
| First flight | Lasta 1 prototype: September 2, 1985 Lasta 95: February 26, 2009[1] |
| Introduction | 2010 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Serbian Air Force Iraqi Air Force |
| Number built | 37 |
Design and development edit
The Lasta was originally developed to be a replacement of the Utva 75 and, partially, Soko G-2 Galeb, which had been the most commonly used trainer aircraft of the Yugoslav Air Force up until 1991. The first prototype Lasta 1 was completed by the spring of 1985. Following completion of the initial testing phase, the first flight was achieved on September 2, 1985. In January 1989, design of a modified version – Lasta 2 was started, following changes in Yugoslav Air Force requirements. Lasta 2 was lighter, with shorter fuselage and a new electronics system including fire control Ferranti ISIS D-282. By the early 1990s Utva, and her partners, have produced enough parts for the completion of 10 pre-production airframes. During the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, all five existing prototypes were destroyed during the bombing of Utva Aviation Industry (a sixth prototype survived with damage and was donated to the Aviation Museum at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport).
In 2006 development of the Lasta was restarted. The new version was known as the Lasta 95 and followed basic concepts of Lasta 2, with updates due to newer available technology. In 2009 it was announced that Iraq will purchase 20 of these trainer aircraft.
With its specifications and updated avionics, the aircraft will ensure full pilot training for all elements of airplane application including:
- basic flying,
- aerobatics,
- navigation flying,
- basic elements of night flying,
- category II instrumental flight,
- basic elements of gunning, rocketing and bombing (GRB)
- Light close air support of counterinsurgency operations and area patrol / light attack missions
Future improvements and developments edit
It is possible to install ejection seats, but with higher cost and weight of the airplane. It is also possible that new containers with armaments and sensors would be developed for Lasta 95, as well as a proposed turboprop version of the aircraft with more advanced training and combat capabilities.
Operational history edit
In December 2007, the Iraqi Air Force ordered 36 (20 firm with an option for 16 units) Lasta 95 aircraft.[2] The first Lasta 95s were transferred to Iraq on August 5, 2010.[3] Last of the 20 ordered Lasta 95 aircraft arrived in February 2012.[4] According to media reports, the aircraft have been used during the Iraqi war against ISIL.[5]
By March 2012, two of 15 ordered Lasta 95 aircraft began service with the Serbian Air Force.[6]
Variants edit
There are three-factory versions of Lasta 95.
Lasta 95N edit
This light piston-propeller training aircraft is primarily intended for initial and basic training of military pilots. With in-line tandem seating, the trainer was developed in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations (Joint Aviation Requirements) 23 regulations for aerobatic category of airplanes and it provides an easy transition to Kobac and then to jet at higher training levels. The LASTA is equipped with a six-cylinder Lycoming engine AEIO-580-B1A 232 kW (315 HP) of the opposed-cylinder type, and a two-bladed metal propeller Hartzell HC-C2YR-4CF/FC 8475-6, which provides maximum flight velocity (at an altitude of 3000m and a takeoff weight of 1085 kg) of 345 km/h. The empty weight is 888 kg, and the maximum takeoff weight is 1210 kg for the aerobatic category and 1450 kg for the utility (armed) category. The total aircraft length is 7.97m. The trapezoidal wings have a wingspan of 9.7 m and a surface of 12.9 m2. The altitude barrier of flight is 6000 m. This propeller-driven low-wing aircraft has a tricycle retractable landing gear suitable for rough-field operations. Onboard GPS and Instrument Landing System (ILS) support the operations during CAT-II weather conditions. The aircraft is equipped with Mode S transponder for flight identification. It can also be used for combat fire training, rocket firing and bombing. The armed version of the LASTA 95 can be equipped with 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, 57 mm rocket launchers or bombs weighing up to 120 kg on two hardpoints.
Lasta 95V-54 edit
Lasta 95V-54 designation is for Serbian Air Force and Air Defence. Differences between Lasta 95N and Lats 95V-54 are in following:
- Two-blade metal propeller HARTZELL HC-C2YR-4CF/FC 8475-8
- New propeller cap
- Modified primary flight controls
- Modified engine controls with less friction
- New instruments for measuring temperatures and oil pressure and temperatures of cylinder block and exhaust gases in both cabins
- New radio stations Bendix/King for UHF with antennas
- New gun sight AKN-09 Teleoptik Zemun which supports containers with Machine gun, bombs and unguided rocket launcher
- Two under-wing hard points for weapons max allowed 120 kg
- New glass cockpit with Garmin G500 avionics suites, which includes a primary flight display (PFD) and a multi-function display (MFD). The aircraft also integrates an instrumental flying simulation system.
- Introduction of new composites materials in some parts of the plane
Lasta 95P-2 edit
It is a same version as the Lasta 95V-54 designated for export customers with possibility of slight differences at customer request.
Operators edit
Iraq- Iraqi Air Force – 20 Lasta 95N (option for another 16)[4]
Serbia- Serbian Air Force – 14 Lasta 95V-54[7][8]
Potential operators edit
Several countries are rumored to have expressed interest in acquiring Lasta trainer aircraft:[8]
Specifications (Lasta 95N) edit
Data from VTI - Military Technical Institute[9]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 7.965 m (26 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)
- Height: 2.84 m (9 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 12.9 m2 (139 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.3
- Empty weight: 888 kg (1,958 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,145 kg (2,524 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,210 kg (2,668 lb) unarmed
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A 6-cyl. air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 232 kW (311 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed HARTZELL HC-C2YR-4CF/FC 8475-8 constant speed propeller, 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 345 km/h (214 mph, 186 kn)
- Cruise speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
- Stall speed: 95 km/h (59 mph, 51 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 425 km/h (264 mph, 229 kn)
- Range: 1,160 km (720 mi, 630 nmi)
- Ferry range: 1,160 km (720 mi, 630 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
- g limits: +6 -3 g
- Rate of climb: 8.5 m/s (1,670 ft/min)
Armament
- Hardpoints: 2 with a capacity of 100 kg (220 lb) bombs, 7.62 mm (0.300 in) or 12.7 mm (0.500 in) calibre machine-gun pods or 57 mm (2.244 in) rocket pods (7 rockets each)
See also edit
Related development
- Kobac, turboprop trainer and counter-insurgency aircraft.
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References edit
- ^ "Serbia's Lasta-95 trainer makes first flight". www.flightglobal.com/. IPC. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "Irak kupuje 35 aviona od Srbije". B92.net.
- ^ Đaković, T. N. "Srbija će da gradi avio-bazu i vojnu bolnicu u Iraku". www.blic.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ a b LOPUŠINA, Marko. "Iračani se obučavaju na srpskim avionima". www.novosti.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "LASTA U AKCIJI Srpski avion u borbama protiv Islamske države". 2015-02-14. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
- ^ Salinger, Igor. "Serbia receives first Lasta basic trainers". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ Galović, M. "Stigle prve "laste"". www.politika.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ a b Salinger, Igor. "Utva resumes Serbian Lasta trainer deliveries". www.flightglobal.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "VTI WEBSITE - English". vti.mod.gov.rs. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
External links edit
