Aero L-39 Albatros (Albatross) Advanced Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft (1972)
The Aero L-39 Albatros was designed to succeed the Aero L-29 Advanced Trainer and Light Strike Aircraft.
Designed to succeed the L-29, the L-39 did so and followed up with simplified and a more modular approach to engineering allowing the L-39 to be produced more efficiently and quicker than its counterpart. The base powerplant allowed for a thrust upgrade when compared to the L-29 and avionics coupled with reinforced subsystems put the L-39 ahead.
The tandem twin-seat aircraft, like the L-29 before it, proved a viable platform for pilot and weapons training so much so that a light strike armed derivative was also produced. The four underwing hardpoints could mount a variety of rocket pods, air-to-air missiles and drop bombs along with a centerline-mounted 23mm GSh-23L twin-barrel cannon for close quarters work.
Export numbers for the L-39 Albatross were equally abundant as with the L-29, with roughly the same nations investing in this newer system. Thailand went on to purchase an export model designated with L-39 ZA/ART that featured Israeli-produced Elbit avionics. The most numerous in terms of production was the L-39 "C" model, which helped drive total production of the L-39 system was a whole past the 3,000 mark. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Aero L-39 Albatros (Albatross)
Advanced Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft
Country of Origin: Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer: Aero - Czechoslovakia
Initial Year of Service: 1972
Production: 3,000
Focus Model: Aero L-39 ZA Albatros (Albatross)
Crew: 2
Length: 40.42ft (12.32m)
Width: 31.04ft (9.46m)
Height: 15.49ft (4.72m)
Weight (Empty): 7,341lbs (3,330kg)
Weight (MTOW): 11,618lbs (5,270kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine generating 3,792lbs of thrust.
Maximum Speed: 391mph (630kmh; 340kts)
Maximum Range: 1,087miles (1,750km)
Service Ceiling: 29,528ft (9,000m; 5.6miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 4,921 feet per minute (1,500m/min)
Hardpoints: 4 (in armed variant)
Armament Suite:
Mission-specific ordnance may include any of the following for light strike duty or weapons training:
1 x 23mm cannon (centerline station)
AA-2 Atoll air-to-air missiles
57mm rocket pods
130mm rocket pods
Up to 1,102lbs of munitions
Variants:
L-39 Base Series Designation
L-39 C - Basic Two-Seat Unarmed Trainer
L-39 V - Target Tug
L-39 Z0 - Armed Weapons Trainer; fitted with strengthened wings and four underwing hardpoints.
L-39 ZA - Based on the L-39 Z0; strengthened undercarriage and provision for reconnaissance pod.
L-39 ZA/ART - Thailand Export Model; fitted with Israeli-produced Elbit-brand avionics system.
L-139 "Albatross 2000" - Export Model; fitted with TFE731 turbofan engine generating 4,080 lbs of thrust; avionics by Bendix/King.
L-59 - Based on the L-39; fitted with uprated powerplant, avionics and a strengthened fuselage.
AF L-39 MS - Based on the L-59 but is a Czech-produced derivative.
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