Aero L-39NG

The Aero L-39NG ("Next Generation") is a Czech turbofan-powered military trainer and light combat 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 original L-39 airframes with a new engine and avionics, the Stage 2 are newly built aircraft with several design improvements such as a wet wing without the type's distinctive wingtip fuel tanks.[1] Serial production should begin in 2019.[2]

L-39NG
Role Advanced jet trainer
Light attack aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Aero Vodochody
First flight 14 September 2015 (L-39CW)
22 December 2018 (L-39NG)
Status In service
Primary users Czech Air Force
Senegalese Air Force
Breitling Jet Team
Number built 4 prototypes of L-39NG, 1 prototype of L-39CW
Unit cost
L-39NG: €12M (low rate initial production)
Developed from Aero L-39 Albatros

Design and development

Aero Vodochody presented the L-39NG project at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014.[3] As of April 2015, Draken International is offering the L-39NG upgrade program in a partnership with Aero Vodochody and Williams International[4] and is responsible for the L-39NG upgrade for the American market. Other aircraft will be modernised by Aero in the Czech Republic.[5]

The L-39NG aircraft is being developed and marketed in two stages.[6] 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.[4] 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.[7] On 20 November 2017 Aero Vodochody announced they have completed the development of the L-39CW[8] and on 14 March 2018 they announced that the L-39CW, equipped with both the new engine and the new avionics, received type certificate.[9]

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.[10][11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

[14][15]

The first L-39NG prototype was rolled out in Odolena Voda on 12 October 2018,[16] and conducted its maiden flight on 22 December 2018.[17][18]

Operational history

Testing

Prototype of the re-engined L-39 with FJ44-4M engine (L-39CW) first flew from Vodochody airport on 14 September 2015.[10][19]

Orders
Williams FJ44 engine

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.[10][20] 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.[5]

On 4 April 2018, a new agreement has been signed with Senegal for 4 L-39NG for light attack and training duties.[21] At 2018 Farnborough Airshow Portuguese company Skytech placed an order for 12 L-39NG and option for another six, while US company RSW Aviation placed an order for 12 L-39NG and 6 L-39CW.[22][23]

In October 2018, the Czech Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar announced that it would procure up to 6 L-39NG aircraft to replace its current L-39 aircraft.[24] In December 2019, LOM Praha, a Czech Ministry of Defence-owned company for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, agreed to buy 4 aircraft with an option for an additional 2.[25]

Variants
L-39CW

Technology demonstrator of the L-39NG based on the L-39C airframe with the Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan.[26]

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.[10] This version has the original "dry" wing with wingtip fuel tanks.

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.[11] This version has a brand new "wet" wing with internal fuel tanks.

Specifications (L-39NG Stage 2)

Data from L-39 Next Generation web page[27][28]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 12.03 m (39 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.56 m (31 ft 4 in)
  • Airfoil: NACA 64A012[29]
  • Empty weight: 3,100 kg (6,834 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan engine, 16.89 kN (3,800 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 775 km/h (482 mph, 418 kn) TAS at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
  • Range: 2,590 km (1,610 mi, 1,400 nmi) (internal fuel)
  • Endurance: 4 hours 30 minutes (internal fuel)
  • Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,700 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 23 m/s (4,500 ft/min)

Armament

Gunpod for L-39NG
  • Up to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) of stores on five external hardpoints
  • Up to 570 kg (1,250 lb) of external fuel on two "wet" hardpoints
  • IR seeking AA missiles (incl. CATM)
  • Laser guided air-to-ground bombs (GBU)
  • Laser guided -air-to-ground rockets (70mm)
  • Free fall air-to-ground bombs (Mk.82)
  • FFAR unguided air-to-ground rockets (70mm)
  • Air-to-air or air-to-ground gun pod (12.7/20mm)

Avionics

  • Programmable jamming pod
  • Targeting pod
  • FLIR turret
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Citations
  1. Osborne, Tony. "Aero Vodochody Returns to L-159 Production". Aviation Week. Penton Corporate. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  2. "Aero L-39 Albatros Advanced Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft - Czechoslovakia". MilitaryFactory. 3 January 2018.
  3. "L-39NG Multi-Role Jet Trainer, Czech Republic". airforce-technology.com. Kable, a trading division of Kable Intelligence Limited. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  4. "Draken International to Offer Next Generation Upgrades for Aero L-39 Aircraft". Reuters. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  5. 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.
  6. "Project Roadmap". L-39NG. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  7. Jennings, Gareth. "Czech air force should be L-39NG launch customer, says chief". IHS Jane's 360. IHS.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  8. "Aero has accomplished the development of the L-39CW". Aero Vodochody website. 20 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018.
  9. "New progress in L-39NG development: The L-39CW received type certificate". AERO Vodochody website. 14 March 2018.
  10. "L-39NG has announced first customers". L-39 Next Generation. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  11. Stevenson, Beth. "L-39NG moves to next phase of testing". FlightGlobal. Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  12. "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.
  13. 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.
  14. "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.
  15. 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.
  16. Jennings, Gareth (12 October 2018). "Aero rolls out first L-39NG". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  17. "PICTURES & VIDEO: Aero Vodochody L-39NG completes first flight". Flight Global. London. 24 December 2018. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  18. "First L-39NG trainer and light attack aircraft makes first flight". Defence Blog. 23 December 2018. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  19. "Enhanced L-39NG trainer makes maiden sortie". Flight International: 17. 22 September 2015.
  20. van Hest, Elmer. "AERO VODOCHODY HAPPY WITH FIRST L-39NG CUSTOMER". AIRheads↑FLY. AHF Media Group. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  21. "Senegal orders L-39NG attack jets | Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
  22. Waldron, Greg (2018-07-17). "FARNBOROUGH: L-39 scores 34 commitments". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  23. Zenkner, Petr (2018-07-17). "Aero se vrací na světový trh, nástupce legendárních letounů Albatros zamíří do Portugalska, USA nebo Senegalu". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  24. Adamowski, Jaroslaw (18 October 2018). "Czech defense minister pledges purchase of new jet trainers from local company". Defense News. Warsaw, Poland. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  25. Kominek, Jiri (10 January 2019). "LOM Praha to procure L-39NG". IHS Jane's. Prague. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  26. "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.
  27. "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.
  28. "L-39NG Brochure". L-39 Next Generation. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  29. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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