At the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from 17th to 21st February, the Ural Works of Civil Aviation (UWCA or UZGA) will, for the first time, showcase the UTS-800 basic trainer aircraft. The export-variant debut will take the form of a scale model, exhibited as part of the joint Russian display, according to the UWCA press office.
The UTS-800 basic trainer aircraft, designed by UWCA, is intended for ab initio flight training and the professional assessment of trainee pilots. A company representative stated that, depending on the volume of purchase by a prospective overseas customer and the availability of R&D funding, UWCA would consider modifying the aircraft and adapting it to specific equipment requirements as requested by the purchaser.
The aircraft is designed for instruction in piloting techniques, spin entry and recovery, basic navigation, emergency procedures, instrument flying, and formation flying. The UTS-800 has a crew of two, seated in tandem: the trainee in the front cockpit, and the instructor in the rear. The aircraft can also be flown by a single pilot without the need for ballast to maintain correct trim.
The UTS-800 is equipped with ejection seats, a standard oxygen system, an air conditioning system, and an anti-icing system. An anti-G suit is provided to enhance the pilot’s tolerance to aerobatic g-forces. Allowable g-limits on the UTS-800 are +7g to -4g. The operating temperature range of the UTS-800 is from -30°C to +45°C. Maximum speed is 460 km/h, range is 1200 km, and the maximum permissible altitude is 6000 m. It is capable of operating from runways with both paved and unpaved surfaces.
Modern avionics with an open architecture are fitted, allowing for the simulation of various tactical scenarios. A head-up display (HUD) and multi-function displays (MFDs) provide pilots with all the necessary information. The aircraft’s extended service life and enhanced durability are achieved through the use of polymer composite materials in the airframe structure.
The aircraft will be the first entirely domestically produced turboprop training system, developed under a joint project by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Defence. It will complement the Yak-130 training system and reduce pilot training costs. In December 2024, UWCA handed over two UTS-800 prototypes to the Ministry of Defence for flight testing. It is planned that the UTS-800 will be powered by the VK-800 engine, which is also intended for the LMS-901 Baikal aircraft and is being developed by UWCA engineers.
In May 2024, a decree was signed by the Russian government to amend the comprehensive aviation industry development programme to 2030. The document states that type certification for the basic transport version of the Baikal aircraft, as well as for the VK-800SM engine, is planned by the end of 2024. UWCA did not specify the type of powerplant used in the UTS-800 prototypes delivered to the Ministry of Defence in December 2024, and there is no information on the status of the VK-800 development programme as of early 2025.
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