Aero L-59

Aero L-59
Type:	Training aircraft
Design country:	Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer:	Aero
First flight:	September 30, 1986
Commissioning:	1992
Production time:	1989
Number of pieces:	80

The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a single-engine trainer aircraft produced by the Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody .

history

In the 1980s, the development of a successor model for the successful jet trainer L-39 Albatros under the name L-39MS began. The specifications were modern avionics, a more powerful engine and limited operational capability as a light fighter aircraft. Compared to the L-39, the fuselage has been lengthened slightly, the structure has been reinforced and state-of-the-art avionics have been installed, including a head-up display . The instructor's field of vision has also been improved by positioning the trainee pilot deeper in the cockpit. Both crew members are now on 0/0 ejector seats . Series production began in 1990 under the export designation L-59. On July 2, 1992, the first L-39MS were put into service with the Czech Air Force.

The single-seat version of the L-59 was further developed into an advanced light fighter aircraft ( Aero L-159 ALCA - English Advanced Light Combat Aircraft ), from which a two-seat trainer (L-159B, L-159T1) was derived. The production of the L-59 was then stopped.

Technical specifications

Lotaryov DW-2 turbofan engine

Parameter	Data
crew	2
length	12.20 m
span	9.54 m
height	4.77 m
Wing area	18.8 m²
Wing extension
payload
Empty mass	4030 kg (including cannon pod)
Max. Takeoff mass
Top speed	865 km / h at 5000 m altitude
Initial rate of climb	28 m / s
Service ceiling	11,800 m
Range	2000 km
Engines	1 × bypass engine Lotarjow DW-2, 21.57 kN (2200 kp) thrust

Armament

Barrel armament

adaptable armament under the fuselage bow

• 1 × Grjasew-Schipunow GSh-23L (9А472) 23 mm automatic cannon in a fuselage nacelle with 150 rounds of ammunition

Up to 1,500 kg of munitions at four external lower wing stations (500 kg inner, 250 kg outer stations)

Air-to-air guided missile

• 2 × BD3-60-21U starter rails for 1 × Wympel R-3S / R-13M (AA-2 Atoll ) each - infrared-guided, self-targeting for short distances

unguided air-to-surface missiles

• 4 × UB-16-57UMP rocket tube launch container with 16 unguided air-to-surface missiles of the type S-5 in caliber 57 mm

Unguided bombs

• 4 × Basalt FAB-100 / OFAB-100 (100 kg free-fall bomb )
• 4 × Basalt FAB-250 (250 kg free fall bomb)
• 2 × Basalt FAB-500 (500 kg free fall bomb)

External container

• 2 × GUW-9-A-669 universal containers for one Grjasew-Schipunow GSch-23L (9А472) 23 mm twin automatic cannon with 250 rounds of ammunition
• 2 × additional fuel tanks for 350 liters of kerosene

Users

•  Egypt : Egyptian Air Force 48 L-59E
•  Slovakia : Slovak Air Force : 2 L-39MS
•  Czech Republic : Czech Armed Forces : 6 L-39MS (1 loss)
•  Tunisia : Tunisian Air Force : 12 L-59T

Web links

• Manufacturer website
• Aero L-59 Super Albatros Advanced Trainer / Light Strike Aircraft - Czechoslovakia. www.militaryfactory.com, accessed March 25, 2018 . 
• Aero Vodochody Aero L-59 Super Albatros specifications and photos. www.skytamer.com, accessed March 25, 2018 . 

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Matthias founder: The trainer from the neighboring country - Aero L-59 (L-39MS). In: Flieger Revue 6/1993. P. 34.