L-159 ALCA News Archive
2018
15 August 2018 | Combat Aircraft
Aero Vodochody makes progress
The first L-159T2 for the Czech Air Force made its first flight on August 2, 2018. The Czech Air Force ordered three L-159T2 twin seat aircraft with several upgrades on board in 2016 to fulfil operational missions and advanced jet training. The L-159T2s are supposed to be delivered to Čáslav air base by the end of this year.
16 July 2018 | Flight Global
FARNBOROUGH: Aero Vodochody unveils F/A-259 for OA-X bid
Aero Vodochody appears to have rebranded a new version of the L-159 advanced jet trainer as the F/A-259 Striker as it makes a late bid for the US Air Force's OA-X close air support programme.
2017
27 September 2017 | IHS Jane's
Aero offers L-159 upgrade
Aero Vodochody Aerospace announced details of a comprehensive L-159 upgrade during its recent L-39 User Group conference. According to Massimo Ghione, Chief Business Officer, the mid-life upgrade on offer to the Czech Air Force (CzAF) would cover a new ‘fourth generation-plus’ avionics package, software improvements to the Grifo radar, a targeting pod, a new electronic warfare suit, ‘wet’ (fitted with fuel tanks) wings, wing-tip air-to-air missile launchers, a fixed air-to-air refuelling probe, full night vision goggle (NVG) configuration in the cockpit, and a helmet mounted display.
12 July 2017 | Air Forces Monthly
Draken’s L-159 ‘Honey Badgers’ on tour
Florida-based Draken International has deployed 11 Aero Vodochody L-159 aircraft to Nellis Air Force Base in support of a US Air Force contract. The contractor now has a total of 24 jets at the Nevada base. The L-159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) are at Nellis to provide direct adversary support to the company’s USAF Adversary Air (ADAIR) contract. According to a July 10 announcement from Draken, the L-159s received a Military Flight Release (MFR) before beginning integration with USAF assets. As well as the ALCAs, Draken operates 13 A-4 Skyhawks at Nellis in support of the same contract. Draken L-159s began providing Red Air to the US Marine Corps in support of Operation Agile Lightning in January. USAF training against the L-159s began in late April with adversary missions supporting the 16th Weapons Squadron (F-16/F-35), 17th Weapons Squadron (F-15E), and the 433rd Weapons Squadron (F-15C/F-22), 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada. Sean Gustafson, Vice President of Business Development stated: “The aircraft has exceeded all expectations with exceptional reliability and remarkable radar performance.” Interestingly, in the same press release, Draken also revealed that company crews call the L-159 the ‘Honey Badger’, a reference to the famously ferocious mustelid.
2015
8 October 2015 | IHS Jane's
Draken receives L-159s to market in the Americas
Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody delivered the first surplus Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) L-159E ALCA light attack and training aircraft to Draken International on 5 October. Aero Vodochody plans to deliver another seven aircraft by the end of the year. Draken International is to...
2014
3 July 2014 | IHS Jane's
Czech government approves sale of 14 L-159s to Draken
The Czech government passed a resolution on 2 July to sell 14 surplus Army of the Czech Republic Aero Vodochody L-159 ALCA light attack and training aircraft to US defence contractor Draken International, for approximately CZK250 million (USD12.4 million). "Unless something unforeseeable...
2 January 2014 | IHS Jane's
Czech Republic approves L-159 sale to Draken International
The Czech government on 2 January formally approved the potential sale of 28 ex-service Aero Vodochody L-159 combat aircraft to private firm Draken International. Draken, which offers commercial 'red air' combat pilot training services to the United States armed services, already operates the earlier two-seat L-139 Albatross from Aero Vodochody.
2013
11 December 2013 | Defense-Aerospace
Aero Vodochody Developing New L-169 Aircraft
PRAGUE --- Czech aircraft producer Aero Vodochody Aerospace is developing the concept of new aircraft L-169 which will have more Czech-made equipment and longer flying range compared with the older L-159 version, news servers iDnes and Aktualne said today. The design philosophy of the new model...
11 June 2013 | Flight Global
Three to contest Polish trainer deal as Czech firm withdraws
Alenia Aermacchi, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin UK will contest Poland's advanced jet trainer system competition ...
2012
12 October 2012 | Flight Global
Iraq advances negotiations for Czech L-159 trainers
Iraq will enter into a new phase of 'intense negotiations' over a possible acquisition of surplus Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced light combat aircraft ...
23 January 2012 | DefenseNews.com
Iraq Eyes Czech-Made Jet Fighters
The Czech Republic is looking to sell dozens of Czech-made L-159 subsonic jet fighters to Iraq, Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra said after talks Jan. 23 with his Iraqi counterpart in Prague.
2011
18 August 2011 | Flight Global
Aero Vodochody boss optimistic about Iraq L-159 decision
Iraq is close to buying about 24 surplus L-159 light combat aircraft, according to Aero Vodochody boss Ladislav Simek ...
2007
23 November 2007 | MILAVIA News
Czech Air Force L-159T1 Advanced Trainers Delivered
AERO Vodochody announed it has delivered four L-159 advanced training aircraft, version T1, to the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic on November 23, 2007.
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