Aero L-39 Albatros

History of the Aero L-39 Albatross

The Aero L-39 family of advanced jet trainers and light attack aircraft is identical in development to its predecessor, the L-29 Dolphin, described elsewhere on this website. Designed three years after the L-29's success as a front-line advanced trainer aircraft for the Soviet Union and related bloc countries, the L-39 appeared in prototype form and made its maiden flight on November 4, 1968, and then on November 4, 1968 Introduced into the Czechoslovak Air Force.

1972 Since then, the aircraft has likewise been accepted and successfully trained a new generation of pilots for the Soviet Empire and its satellite states and supporters. From 1971 to 1999, more than 3,000 aircraft were produced.

This is the first turbofan-powered trainer to go into mass production.

Compared to the earlier L-29, the L-39 was a simplified approach in terms of modularity, allowing the new aircraft to be manufactured more efficiently and faster than their counterparts. Increased engine thrust, along with a new avionics suite and a reinforced structure. The two-seat tandem aircraft - like the L-29 before it - allows unobstructed views from the cockpit (except the rear) and increases situational awareness. The training derivative eventually expanded into a light strike form and used four underwing hardpoints to carry a variety of ordnance options, including rocket pods, air-to-air missiles, and conventionally dropped bombs.

This is in addition to the standard twin-barreled mid-mounted 23mm GSh-23L cannon for close range work.

Externally, the L-39 is a complete redesign of the L-29. It has a low, straight monoplane main aircraft and a well-sloped nose configuration. The raised fuselage spine hinders visibility, which in turn allows for more interior storage. The slender fuselage is flanked by two crescent-shaped air intakes for inhaling a single turbofan engine. The tail includes a vertical tail and low-mounted horizontal planes, as well as unique jet tubes.

The tricycle landing gear consists of a single-wheeled front leg and two single-wheeled main legs under the wings.

Export data for the L-39 Albatross is plentiful, as is the L-29 - although roughly the same customer base welcomes the new machine. Thailand purchased 40 export model L-39ZA/ARTs equipped with Israeli-made Elbit avionics.

The most produced was the L-39C model, which helped push the total production of the L-39 system to over 3,000 units.

Variants include five prototypes and two static airframes such as the L-39X (-01 to -07). The L-39C was the standard trainer for many Soviet troops during the Cold War. The L-39CM became an improved C variant of the Slovak Air Force. The Ukrainians received the L-39M1 with turbofan engines of the AI-25TLSh family.

The L-39V variant covers Czechoslovak Air Force target tugs. The L-39ZO appeared as a weapon trainer. The armed trainer and light attack platform became the L-39ZA, supporting the launch of air-to-air missiles. The L-39ZAM is the Slovak Air Force's modernization of the L-39ZA brand.

The L-59 "Super Albatross" offered the L-39 in a more refined form and the product line was further expanded to include the L-159 "Arka". However, these did not have the same success as the L-39, so Aero Vodochody can now offer a completely new modernized version of the L-39 instead of the L-39NG ("Next Generation").

This was announced in August 2014 with plans to upgrade the avionics suite and engine (American-built Williams FJ44 series). The aircraft will serve the current military market as a low-cost alternative to advanced jet trainers for more expensive Western and Russian mounts.

The prototype is expected to air sometime in 2016, with the product arriving in 2018.

Specification

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