Aero L-59 Super Albatros
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| Aero L-59 Super Albatros | |
|---|---|
| Czech Air Force L-159 taxiing | |
| Type | Military trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody |
| Maiden flight | 1996-09-30 |
| Variants | Aero L-159 Alca |
The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firm's earlier L-39. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, a vastly updated cockpit, and a more powerful engine. At the time of its first flight on September 30 1996, it was designated the L-39MS.
In 1992, a dedicated single-seat attack variant was proposed under the project name ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft), and was successfully marketed to the Czech Air Force. First flight of this variant (designated L-159A was on August 2 1997. The aircraft features mostly Western avionics, with systems integration undertaken by Boeing. The Czech Republic is currently the only operator of the type. Since then a new two-seat trainer has been flown as the L-159B Albatros II.
Contents |
[edit] Variants
- L-59 - standard production version (six L-39MS for Czechoslovakian Air Force). Later four in Czech Air Force, two in Slovak Air Force.
- L-59E - 48x L-59s for Egyptian Air Force
- L-59T - 12x L-59s for Tunisian Air Force
- L-159A - single-seat attack aircraft (72 for Czech Air Force)
- L-159B - trainer version (no customers yet)
[edit] Specifications (L-59)
General characteristics<h3>
- Crew: 2: student and instructor
- Length: 12.20 m (40 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 9.54 m (31 ft 3 in)
- Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 18.8 m² (202 ft²)
- Empty weight: 4,030 kg (8,866 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,000 kg (15,400 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× ZMK DV-2, 21.6 kN (4,850 lbf)
<h3>Performance<h3>
- Maximum speed: 870 km/h (470 knots, 540 mph)
- Range: 1,570 km (848 nm, 973 mi)
- Service ceiling: 12,200 m (37,720 ft)
- Rate of climb: 25 m/s (4,920 ft/min)
<h3>Armament<h3>
- 4 external hardpoints accommodating gunpods, bombs, and/or rockets
