![]() ![]() During the 1990s, shortly following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, Aero Vodochody decided to develop versions of the Albatros equipped with Western-sourced avionics, engines, and weapon systems. ![]() According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 1993, the total export orders gained for the L-39 represented 80 per cent of the value of all Czech military product export sales made for that year. Īccording to aerospace publication Flight International, roughly 200 L-39s were being sold each year upon the jet trainer market during the late 1980s. In 1977, the first L-39ZA light combat variant, which was fitted with a single Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 cannon mounted underneath the fuselage in addition to the four hardpoints and strengthening of the L-39ZO, made its maiden flight. During 1975, the first L-39ZO training/light combat model, which was equipped with four underwing hardpoints as well as a strengthened wing and modified landing gear, performed its first flight. In 1972, a purpose-built target tug variant, the L-39V, conducted its initial flight. Several specialised variants of the base L-39 design were quickly introduced. ![]() In 1974, the first L-39 trainer entered service with the Czechoslovak Air Force. During 1972, the L-39 Albatros was formally recognized by the majority of the countries comprising the Warsaw Pact as their preferred primary trainer, after which point, sizable orders from military customers throughout the bloc proceeded, many of which were from the Soviet Air Forces. Serial production of the initial model of the L-39, designated L-39C, commenced in 1971. On 4 November 1969, the L-39 (under the designation "Prototype X-02" – the second airframe to be built) conducted its maiden flight, for which it was piloted by Rudolf Duchoň, the factory's test pilot. Vlcek envisioned the type, a twin-seat single-engine aircraft, being adopted as the primary trainer throughout the Warsaw Pact nations. This aircraft was to serve as a replacement for the Aero L-29 Delfín, an early jet-powered trainer, as a principal training aircraft. In 1964, the Czechoslovak aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody embarked on a new design project to meet the specified requirements for a "C-39" (C for cvičný – trainer), setting up a design team under the leadership of Jan Vlček. In 2023, production of the L-39NG resumed, with 34 aircraft on order. At the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014, Aero Vodochody announced the launch of the L-39NG, an upgraded and modernised version of the L-39 this programme is set to produce new-build aircraft alongside the extensive rebuilding of existing aircraft. Production of the original L-39 came to an end during the mid-1990s, orders having declined substantially following the end of the Cold War. A combat-orientated development of the aircraft, designated as the L-159 ALCA, entered production in 1997 and has since been procured by a range of export customers. Furthermore, the L-39 lineage would be extended to the L-139, a prototype L-39 fitted with a Western-sourced Garrett TFE731 engine. During the 1980s, Aero Vodochody used it as the basis for the L-59 Super Albatros, an enlarged and updated model. Several derivatives of the L-39 Albatros were developed. By the end of the century, in excess of 2,800 L-39s had served with over 30 air forces. Since the 1990s, it has also become popular among civilian operators. Additionally, it was exported to a range of countries across the world both as a trainer and a light attack aircraft. Accordingly, thousands of 元9s would be produced for various military customers in Eastern Europe. Quantity production of the L-39 Albatros proceeded in 1971 one year later, it was formally recognized by the majority of the Warsaw Pact countries as their preferred primary trainer. Performing its maiden flight on 4 November 1968, it became the first trainer aircraft in the world to be equipped with a turbofan powerplant. The L-39 Albatros was designed during the 1960s as a successor to the Aero L-29 Delfín, an early jet-powered principal training aircraft. Unusually, the aircraft never received a NATO reporting name. It is the most widely used jet trainer in the world in addition to performing basic and advanced pilot training, it has also flown combat missions in a light-attack role. The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer designed and produced in Czechoslovakia by Aero Vodochody. 28 March 1972 with the Czechoslovak Air Force ![]()
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