Aero L-59 Super Albatros

During the 1980s, the Czechoslovakian aerospace manufacturer Aero Vodochody was keen to further develop their successful L-39 Albatros, a trainer and light attack aircraft. It decided to produce a derivative with an improved fuselage, an elongated nose, and fitted with a more powerful Lotarev DV-2 turbofan engine capable of generating up to 21.6 kN (4,850 lbf) of thrust. The latter facilitated operations at higher weights, while the aircraft also had a higher maximum speed having risen to 872 km/h (542 mph)).[2][3] The new aircraft was also furnished with more capable avionics and a vastly updated cockpit, which included a head-up display.[1][4] Initially, it was originally designated as the L-39MS; some time after conducting its maiden flight on 30 September 1986, the type was redesignated as the L-59.[5]

During 1992, a dedicated single-seat attack variant was proposed under the project name ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft); it was successfully marketed to the Czech Air Force.[6] Designated L-159A, the first flight of this variant was conduct on 2 August 1997. It features mostly Western avionics, with systems integration undertaken by Boeing. Furthermore, a new two-seat trainer has been flown as the L-159B Albatros II.[7]

By 2013, Aero's official website stated that the L-59 was no longer in production or available from the company. Services provided for the type included the provision of spare parts, service-life extensions, special repairs, overhauls, modifications and upgrades.[1]

Initial deliveries of the L-59 were made to the Czechoslovak Air Force, who briefly operated a small fleet of six L-39MS prior to the nation's separation into the Czech Republic and Slovakia; consequently, these aircraft were divided between the Czech Air Force and the Slovak Air Force.[5] The L-59's most numerous operator, and its first export customer, was the Egyptian Air Force; a total of 69 L-59E aircraft would be delivered to the service.[8] Early Egyptian operations encountered poor engine reliability; this matter let to a contract to the American aerospace firm AlliedSignal to produce an improved digital engine control system.[9] The type had reportedly been intended for use as a lead-in-fighter trainer for the service's General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Dassault Mirage 2000 fleets, and were equipped to be armed with Eastern-supplied weaponry. However, the Egyptian Air Force L-59s saw little use, allegedly being placed into storage around 1999.[10]

During the early to mid 1990s, various export opportunities were pursued by Aero Vodochody for the L-59, complimenting its continued sales efforts with the L-39 predecessor.[8] One opportunity pursued was the Royal Australian Air Force's lead-in fighter-trainer requirement, an effort which would ultimately be unsuccessful. There were also proposed variants, such as the L-59F, that were to be provisioned with equipment from overseas suppliers, such as avionics from the Israeli company Elbit, and adoption of the American-Taiwanese Honeywell/ITEC F124 turbofan engine in place of the Lotarev DV-2 of earlier variants.[8]

In 1995, deliveries of L-59Ts commenced to the Tunisian Air Force, a total of 12 were delivered to the service.[11][12] The type has been typically used for advanced pilot training and weapons training purposes, with a secondary focus on conducting light combat operations as well. During the First Libyan Civil War in 2011, Tunisian L-59s commonly flew armed patrol missions along the country's border with Libya.[10] During April 2014, a number of Tunisian L-59s performed multiple reconnaissance missions and counter-insurgency (COIN) strikes in support of major military offensives in the border region of Mount Chaambi against Ansar al-Sharia and al-Qaeda-linked militants that aimed to destabilize Tunisia's transition to democracy.[13] In 2022, it was speculated that Tunisia's L-59T fleet would be rapidly replaced in the near future, the Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk has been suggested as a candidate.[14]

L-59

Standard production version (six L-39MS for the Czechoslovak Air Force). Later, four aircraft were operated by the Czech Air Force, and two in the Slovak Air Force.[5]

L-59E

Export version for Egypt. 49 L-59s for the Egyptian Air Force.[5]

L-59F

Proposed version furnished with an Elbit-supplied avionics package and powered by a Honeywell/ITEC F124 engine.[8]

L-59T

Export version for Tunisia. 12 L-59s for the Tunisian Air Force.[11]

 Czech Republic

• Czech Air Force – four inherited from the Czechoslovak Air Force.[5]

 Czechoslovakia

• Czechoslovak Air Force - six delivered between 1992-1993.[5]

 Egypt

• Egyptian Air Force - 48 delivered between 1993-1994.[15]

 Slovakia

• Slovak Air Force - two inherited from the Czechoslovak Air Force.[5]

 Tunisia

• Tunisian Air Force - 12 delivered between 1995-1996.[15]

Lotarev DV-2 turbofan engine

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94[16]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 12.20 m (40 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 9.54 m (31 ft 4 in) (including tip tanks)
• Height: 4.77 m (15 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 18.80 m² (202.4 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 4,030 kg (8,885 lb) (includes gun)
• Max takeoff weight: 7,000 kg (15,432 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,537 L (406 US gal; 338 imp gal) including tip tanks
• Powerplant: 1 × Lotarev DV-2 turbofan, 21.57 kN (4,850 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 865 km/h (537 mph, 467 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
• Stall speed: 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn) (flaps down)
• Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi) at 7,000 m (23,000 ft) (with maximum internal and external fuel)
• Service ceiling: 11,800 m (38,700 ft)
• Rate of climb: 28.0 m/s (5,510 ft/min)

Armament

• Guns: one GSh-23L cannon in under-fuselage pod
• Hardpoints: four underwing hardpoints with a capacity of inner hardpoints 500 kg (1,100 lb)capacity, outer hardpoints 250 kg (550 lb)

Related development

• Aero L-159 Alca

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• BAe Hawk
• IAR 99 Şoim
• Mikoyan MiG-AT
• Soko G-4 Super Galeb
• Yakovlev Yak-130
• PZL I-22 Iryda

• Aero Vodochody Product Page