Aero L-39NG

L-39NG
L-39NG technology demonstrator (L-39CW)
Role Military trainer aircraft
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
First flight 14 September 2015 (L-39CW)
Number built 1
Developed from Aero L-39 Albatros

The Aero L-39NG (Next Generation) is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft currently under development by Aero Vodochody. It is a successor of the Cold War era Aero L-39 Albatros. The aircraft is being developed in two versions (stages). While the L-39NG Stage 1 is an upgrade of the original L-39 airframe with a new engine and avionics, the Stage 2 is a newly-built aircraft with several design improvements such as the wet wing without the type’s distinctive wingtip fuel tanks.[1]

Design and development

L-39CW with the FJ44-4M engine

Aero Vodochody presented the L-39NG project at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014.[2] As of April 2015, Draken International is offering the L-39NG upgrade program in a partnership with Aero Vodochody and Williams International[3] and is responsible for the L-39NG upgrade for the American market. Other aircraft will be modernised by Aero in the Czech Republic.[4]

The L-39NG aircraft is being developed and marketed in two stages.[5] The L-39NG upgrade program (Stage 1) contains an installation of FJ44-4M engine and optionally the Stage 2 avionics to existing L-39 Albatros.[3] The first stage was completed in September 2015 with a maiden flight of the L-39NG technology demonstrator (L-39CW) on the 14th of that month.[6]

The second phase (Stage 2) represents newly built L-39NG aircraft with the possible use of components from the previous upgrade to Stage 1, once the original airframe reaches the end of its life.[7][8] Flight testing of this L-39NG variant is scheduled for the end of 2018.[1] In June 2017, Aero Vodochody unveiled its plan to build four pre-production examples of L-39NG for testing and demonstration.[9] In July 2017, Aero Vodochody began producing parts for the assembly of four aircraft, three of which are to be prototypes and one pre-serial production aircraft.[10][11][12]

Operational history

Testing

L-39NG Stage 2 model

Prototype of the re-engined L-39 with FJ44-4M engine (L-39CW) first flew from Vodochody airport on 14 September 2015.[13][7]

Orders

The first customer for the L-39NG Stage 1 was announced at the Paris Air Show in June 2015. LOM Praha, a state-owned enterprise, will use the L-39NG at its Flight Training Center at Pardubice Airport in the Czech Republic.[7][14] Aero Vodochody has also signed an agreement with Draken International for up to six of the L-39s of Draken's display team to receive the L-39NG upgrade. Breitling Jet Team is another L-39NG upgrade customer.[4]

Variants

L-39CW

Technology demonstrator of the L-39NG based on the L-39C airframe with the Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan.[15]

L-39NG Stage 1

Re-engined L-39 Albatros to be powered by Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan. Optionally includes an installation of the L-39NG Stage 2 avionics.[7]

L-39NG Stage 2

Newly built L-39NG jet trainer aircraft with Genesys Aerosystems avionics suite and glass cockpit, new airframe with five hardpoints, and FJ44-4M engine.[8]

Specifications (L-39NG Stage 2)

L-39NG concept drawing

Data from L-39 Next Generation web page[16][17]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Osborne, Tony. "Aero Vodochody Returns to L-159 Production". Aviation Week. Penton Corporate. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "L-39NG Multi-Role Jet Trainer, Czech Republic". airforce-technology.com. Kable, a trading division of Kable Intelligence Limited. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Draken International to Offer Next Generation Upgrades for Aero L-39 Aircraft". Reuters. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 de Larrinaga, Nicholas. "Paris Air Show 2015: Aero Vodochody announces three L-39NG launch customers". IHS Jane's 360. IHS Inc. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Project Roadmap". L-39NG. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  6. ↑ Jennings, Gareth. "Czech air force should be L-39NG launch customer, says chief". IHS Jane's 360. IHS.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "L-39NG has announced first customers". L-39 Next Generation. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  8. 1 2 Stevenson, Beth. "L-39NG moves to next phase of testing". FlightGlobal. Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  9. ↑ "Aero Vodochody plánuje stavbu čtyř nových letounů L-39NG. Bude je ukazovat klientům" [Aero Vodochody plans to build four new L-39NG aircraft. They will be shown to customers]. Lidovky.cz. MAFRA. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  10. ↑ Osborne, Tony (25 July 2017). "Aero Vodochody Producing Four L-39NG Prototypes". Aviation Week. London. Archived from the original on 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "Aero Vodochody begins component production for L-39NG jet trainer aircraft". Airforce Technology. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Jennings, Gareth (20 July 2017). "Aero launches prototype and pre-serial production of L-39NG". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  13. ↑ "Enhanced L-39NG trainer makes maiden sortie". Flight International: 17. 22 September 2015.
  14. ↑ van Hest, Elmer. "AERO VODOCHODY HAPPY WITH FIRST L-39NG CUSTOMER". AIRheads↑FLY. AHF Media Group. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Sešlost provozovatelů Albatrosů zakončil L-39CW, resp. L-39NG" [Albatros Users’ Group Conference finished with the L-39CW (L-39NG) in the air]. MAGAZÍN LETIŠTĚ České republiky (in Czech). 2016-09-16. ISSN 1803-9650. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "L-39NG vs L-39 Comparison". L-39 Next Generation. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  17. ↑ "L-39NG Brochure". L-39 Next Generation. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
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