As part of the testing and evaluation process for its various equipment and systems, the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA) has confirmed the completion of the latest tests of the ejection system installed on the new UTS-800 training aircraft, which is intended to become the new pilot training platform for the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS).
Officially designated as the UTS-800 and based on the DART-450T by Austrian company Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, this is one of the latest developments by the UZGA Plant, with the main goal of replacing various decades-old training platforms used by the VKS. Specifically, the new trainer is intended to replace the aging Aero L-39 Albatros and complement the more advanced Yak-130 trainers.
In 2023, the UTS-800 completed its first flight, and a year and a half later, it made its international debut at the IDEX 2025 International Defense Exhibition, held from February 17 in the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, earlier this year, the Russian Aerospace Forces received the first units of this aircraft from UZGA.
Regarding the most recent tests, they focused on the aircraft’s ejection system, designated KSAP-800. This system has been jointly developed by UZGA and the Research and Production Enterprise Zvezda (founded in 1952 to develop aviation pressure suits and in-flight refueling systems) and is integrated with the K-93 ejection seat. The K-93 meets modern emergency escape system standards, with its key feature being its “zero-zero” capability—meaning it can safely eject the pilot at zero altitude and zero airspeed.
“The emergency rescue system complex (KSAP-800) of the UTS-800 training aircraft was successfully tested. Several laboratory experiments were conducted involving the ejection of dummies under various flight conditions. The KSAP-800 allows for safe ejection from the aircraft across the entire altitude and speed envelope of the UTS-800,” stated the TASS news agency.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only
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