Gareth Jennings - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
20 July 2017
Aero Vodochody has begun prototype and pre-serial
production of its L-39NG jet trainer and light-attack platform, the
manufacturer reported on 20 July.
The Czech company announced that assembly of the first
four L-39NGs had begun “in recent weeks”, comprising three prototype and one
pre-serial production model. Of the three prototypes, one will be used for
flight trials with the other two serving as ground-based fatigue platforms. The
pre-serial production aircraft will be delivered to the launch customer, Czech
state-owned company LOM Praha.
A demonstrator L-39NG flew for the first time in
September 2015 ahead of an initial phase of testing that took place the
following year. With the introduction of the three new prototypes and the
pre-serial aircraft, certification is expected in 2019 with customer deliveries
slated to begin in 2020. Besides LOM Praha, the L-39NG is also being acquired
by the Breitling Jet Team and Draken International's Black Diamond Jet Team.
First unveiled at the 2014 Farnborough International
Airshow, the L-39NG version of the L-39 Albatross features a more powerful
Williams International FJ44-4M engine, a wet wing, a modern cockpit, and a
lighter airframe than its legacy predecessor. It is equipped with five
hardpoints (compared with two for the baseline L-39) for a variety of
air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, as well as other munitions and sensors.
It also introduces the option for a gun-pod. As noted by
Aero, the L-39NG uses 50% new parts and 50% parts taken from the existing L-39.
Source: janes.com
L-39NG Multi-Role Jet Trainer: Details
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