Czech Air Force

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The Czech Air Force, ICAO code CEF, is the air force branch of the Czech Republic Army. The Air Force, with the Ground Forces, comprises the main combat power of the Czech Army.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Interwar period (1918-1939)

For a modern nation surrounded by potentially hostile neighbors, without access to the ocean, the Czechoslovak leadership needed to build a capable air force. So was born the motto, "Our sea is in the air."

Aero Vodochody L.159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft of the Czech Air Force
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Aero Vodochody L.159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft of the Czech Air Force
Saab JAS 39C Gripen of the Czech Air Force
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Saab JAS 39C Gripen of the Czech Air Force

The Czechoslovak government between the wars balanced a home-grown aviation industry with licensing engine and aircraft designs from allied nations.

Several major aircraft companies and one large motor company (A. S. Walter) thrived in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. One was the Aero Company (Aero Továrna Letadel), located in the Vysocany sector of Prague. Its metal and fabric-covered aircraft were competitive in the early 1930s; however, by 1938, only its MB.210 (a licensed Bloch design) was still serviceable.

The Avia Company (Avia Akciová Společnost Pro Průmysl Letecký Škoda), a branch of the enormous Škoda Works (Škodovy Závody) munitions organization, was different. Founded in 1919 in an old sugar factory in the eastern Prague suburbs of Letnany and Cakovice, Avia made entire airplanes, including motors, which were usually licensed Hispano-Suiza designs. The standard Czechoslovak pursuit plane of the late 1930's, the B-534 reached a total production of 514 units.

The state-controlled Letov (Vojenská Továrna Na Letadla Letov) was also situated in Letnany. It employed about 1,200 workers in the late 1930s, and it crafted the S-328 biplane, of which over 450 were produced. The entire airframe was welded together, not bolted or riveted. The Letov factory was the only Czech plant that manufactured metal propellers.

[edit] World War II (1939-1945)

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[edit] Cold War (1946-1988)

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[edit] Velvet Revolution to break up of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992)

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[edit] Czech Republic (1993-present)

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[edit] Air Force Bases

[edit] List of aircraft

This is a list of CzAF fighter aircraft, helicopters, and transport planes.


VIP, transport:

  • Let L-410 small twin engine turboprop, various versions


Combat, trainers:


Helicopters:

  • MIL Mi-17 transport helicopter, export name for Mi-8MT.
  • MIL Mi-171Sh latest deliveries, upgraded versions of Mi-8/17 series. Export name of a Mi-8AMTSh model.
  • MIL Mi-24V heavy attack/transport helicopter, latest deliveries arrived with its export name, "Mi-35"


Unmanned:

  • SOJKA III unmanned light reconnaissance and electronic warfare plane (drone)

[edit] External links

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