Back آيرو إل-159 ألكا Arabic Aero L-159 Alca Czech Aero L-159 German Aero L-159 ALCA Greek Aero L-159 Alca Spanish ال-۱۵۹ الکا Persian Aero L-159 Alca French Aero L-159 Alca Galician אארו L-159 ALCA HE Aero L-159 Alca Croatian
| L-159 ALCA | |
|---|---|
_in_flight_(1).jpg) Czech Air Force L-159A Alca carrying an AIM-9 Sidewinder | |
| General information | |
| Type | Light combat aircraft/ advanced jet trainer |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary users | Czech Air Force |
| Number built | L-159A: 72 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1997–2003 and 2016–2017[1] |
| Introduction date | April 2000 |
| First flight | 4 August 1997[2] |
| Developed from | Aero L-59 Super Albatros |
The Aero L-159 ALCA[nb 1] is a subsonic light combat aircraft and advanced trainer developed in the single-seat L-159A and two-seat L-159B versions, respectively, produced in the Czech Republic by Aero Vodochody. It was derived from the Aero L-59 Super Albatros trainer, which was in turn developed from the Aero L-39 Albatros series.
Development of the L-159 started in 1993 as an initiative to replace various Soviet-era fighter aircraft with a modern Czech-built equivalent; it was decided against pursuing a clean-sheet design to avoid excessive costs. Development was supported by the Czech government, which ordered 72 L-159A single-seat aircraft for roughly 50 billion CZK to equip the Czech Air Force. In 1998, the Boeing Company became a strategic partner in both the project and Aero Vodochody itself. On 4 August 1997, the L-159 performed its maiden flight; on 10 April 2000, the first production aircraft was delivered to the Czech Air Force. Further development of the type proceeded, particularly of the twin-seat L-159 models.
In 2003, the Czech fleet of 72 L-159A aircraft was reduced to 24 due to budget constraints. Following several years of storage, the Czech government has re-sold most of the redundant aircraft to both military and civilian operators, namely the Iraqi Air Force and Draken International. The L-159 has seen active combat use by the Iraqi Air Force against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) insurgents in the country. In Draken's service, the L-159 (colloquially known as "Honey Badger") has been employed as an aggressor aircraft for pilot training.[3] Since 2007, six L-159A aircraft have been rebuilt into T1 trainer derivatives. During 2017, Aero Vodochody formally restarted production of the type, and unveiled a newly built L-159T1 for the Iraqi Air Force; furthermore, the Czech Air Force was in the process of acquiring L-159T2 two-seaters.[4][5]
- ^ Stevenson, Beth. "Aero Vodochody produces new-build L-159 trainer for Iraq". FlightGlobal. Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Frawley_Milwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Draken's 'Honey Badgers' on tour". Air Forces Monthly. KEY PUBLISHING. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ Warnes, Alan. "Aero restarts L-159 ALCA production, touts Argentina as potential customer". Jane's 360. IHS. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ "Czech Air Force to receive upgraded L-159T1+ aircraft". Air Forces Monthly. KEY PUBLISHING. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
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