Aero L-59 Super Albatros

L-59 Super Albatros
Role	Military trainer aircraft COIN
Manufacturer	Aero Vodochody
First flight	30 September 1986
Status	Out of production, in service
Primary users	Czech Air Force Egyptian Air Force Tunisian Air Force
Produced	1986–1996
Developed from	Aero L-39 Albatros
Variants	Aero L-159 Alca

The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firm's earlier L-39 Albatros. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, a vastly updated cockpit, advanced avionics (including head-up display), and a more powerful engine. At the time of its first flight on 30 September 1986, it was designated the L-39MS. Aero no longer produces this aircraft.

In 1992, a dedicated single-seat attack variant was proposed under the project name ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft), and was successfully marketed to the Czech Air Force. First flight of this variant, designated L-159A, was on 2 August 1997. The aircraft features mostly Western avionics, with systems integration undertaken by Boeing. Since then a new two-seat trainer has been flown as the L-159B Albatros II.

In April 2014, Tunisian L-59s were used in reconnaissance and 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 aim at destabilizing Tunisia's transition to democracy.

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

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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