Aero Vodochody and its shareholder Omnipol have successfully delivered the first six L-39NG aircraft to the Air Force of Vietnam, the type’s inaugural customer, building on a contract first signed in 2021.
The Vietnamese Air Force has also received what Aero describes as “an appropriate set of theoretical and practical training for the finished L-39NG aircraft, which also includes a simulation training system or manuals for pilots and mechanics”.
The latest iteration in the Czech manufacturer’s family of L-39 Albatros aircraft (used in the military training and light combat roles), development of the L-39NG began in 2014. Split into two stages (offering upgrades of existing L-39s or new-build aircraft), the redeveloped airframe includes modifications such as a wet wing (eliminating the original wingtip fuel tanks) and a FJ44-4M turbofan engine from partner Williams International.
Aero estimates the assembly of one L-39NG to require around 14,000 parts, 17,500 rivets and 31,000 hours of labour, with around 65% of the suppliers coming from the Czech Republic.