L-159 ALCA

After experiences with trainer aircraft L-39 Albatros and L-59, Aero has started to develop light subsonic combat aircraft L-159 ALCA. The first prototype took off on August 2, 1997. Soon afterwards the new production series of 72 single-seat fighters has started according to requirements of Czech Air Force.

Single-seat fighter aircraft L-159 is particularly designed to support ground units and to attack land targets. It is also capable of air fight and reconnaissance. The plane is equipped with powerplant F-124-GA-100 turbofan Honeywell with maximum thrust and afterburner 28.2 kN. It also contains modern avionics, multi-role display or multi-mode Doppler Grifo-L radar. The Czech made pilot’s seat VS-2C allows pilot’s safety ejection already in zero height and with zero speed.

The abilities to survive at the battlefield are increased by radar warning receiver, chaff dispensers and armour cockpit. Armament on seven pylons may e.g. include anti-aircraft missiles AIM-9M Sidewinder, air-to-surface missiles AGM-65 Maverick, podded 20mm cannon Plamen, unguided bombs, rocket launchers with unguided rockets and laser-guided bombs.

L-159 aircrafts were included to the Czech Air Force in December 2000. All of the currently run fighters are located at the 21^st Tactical Wing Air Base in Caslav altogether with two-seat versions L-159T deployed there since 2007 to facilitate training of new pilots.

The site is prepared in the cooperation with editors of  Flying + Cosmonautics magazine of Aeromedia publisher house.  The magazine brings current information about military and civilian flying environment.