Aero L-39 Albatros
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
| L-39 Albatros | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Basic jet trainer/light attack | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| First Flight | 4 November 1968 | |
| Entered Service | 1974 | |
| Number built | 2940 | |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody AS | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 12.13 m | 39 ft 9.5 in |
| Wingspan | 9.46 m | 31 ft 0.5 in |
| Height | 4.77 m | 15 ft 7.5 in |
| Wing area | 18.80 m² | 202.4 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 3565 kg | 7859 lb |
| Loaded | 4635 kg | 10218 lb |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 5600 kg | 12346 lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | one ZMKB Progress AI-25 TL turbofan | |
| Thrust | 16.87 kN (each) | 3792 lbf (each) |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 630 km/h | 391 mph |
| Operational range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 7500 m | 24600 ft |
| Rate of climb | 810 m/min | 2657 ft/min |
| Avionics | ||
Contents |
History
L-39/139
The first flight of the L-39 prototype was performed on 4 November 1968. For testing 10 pre-production aircraft were ordered in 1971 and it was selected in 1972 to succeed the L-29 Delfin as the standard trainer for the USSR, Czechoslovak and East German Air Forces, with production starting that same year. Service trials were performed in the USSR and Czechoslovakia in 1973. Following, it entered service with the Czechoslovak Air Force in 1974. The worldwide fleet has accumulated more than 4 million flying hours.
L-59
The early development was under the designation L-39MS. The L-59 is a version of the L-39 with a more powerful engine and improved avionics. First flight in the definitive configuration (X-22 prototype, registered OK-184) on 30 September 1986 with two more prototypes (X-24, X-25) flown 26 June and 6 October 1987. The first flight of a production L-59 was on 1 October 1989, the first flight of the first L-59E was made on 22 April 1992. The deliveries of the L-59E began 29 January 1993. Tunisian (L-59T) deliveries were completed early 1996.
Versions
L-39C
Initial pilot trainer, with two underwing stations.
L-39V
Target towing version for Czech and former East German use. Eight built.
L-39ZO
Z = Zbrojni: armed. This version has reinforced wings with four underwing stations. The types first flight was 25 August 1975.
L-39ZA
Ground attack and reconnaissance version of the L-39ZO. It has four underwing stations and a centreline gun pod, reinforced wings and landing gear. The prototypes first flown 29 September 1976 and 16 May 1977. Customer versions completed with Western equipment (HUD, mission computer, Bendix/King avionics and navigation equipment) are designated L-39 ZA/MP (for multipurpose). The version for Thailand has Elbit avionics and is designated ZA/ART.
L-39MS
First version of the L-59, with five delivered to Czechoslovak Air Force (three in 1991, two in 1992) and the sixth (0001) retained by the manufacturer for trials.
L-139 Albatros 2000
Trainer, powered by the 18.15 kN (4,080 lb st) TFE731-4-1T turbofan under preliminary Aero/AlliedSignal agreement signed June 1991. Demonstrated to the air forces of Colombia and Venezuela in 2000. No orders were placed.
L-59
Advanced training version with a more powerful engine and improved avionics.
L-59E
Production two-seat version for the Egyptian Air Force. 48 delivered in 1993-94.
L-59T
Version for the Tunisian Air Force. The deliveries (12) were completed in early 1996.
L-159 ALCA
Light ground attack/lead-in fighter trainer version of the L-59. This version is a totally redeveloped version and is not described here.
Operators
Listed below are the known operators of the L-39 family. Mentioned between the brackets are the types and number known for each operator.
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Notes:
(1) Two former Czechoslovak L-39Vs delivered to East German Air Force.
(2) 20 former East German L-39ZOs delivered to Hungary.
(3) 10 former Libyan L-39ZOs delivered to Egypt.
(4) USA aircraft in private ownership. More than 100 additional aircraft acquired second-hand (mainly from former USSR).
(5) USSR aircraft to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgizia, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine after break up of the USSR.
Production
Below an overview of the L-39 family production.
| Prototypes | L-39C | L-39V | L-39ZO | L-39ZA | L-39MS | L-59 | Total |
| 5 | 2267 | 8 | 347 | 248 | 5 | 60 | 2940 |
Technical information
Design Features
The L-39 is a tandem two-seater with ejection seats and cockpit pressurisation. The fixed tip tanks also contain navigation/landing lights. The rear fuselage and tail is attached by five bolts only to allow easy removal for access to the engine.
Power Plant
One 16.87 kN (3,792 lb st) ZMKB Progress AI-25 TL turbofan in the rear fuselage, with semi-circular lateral air intakes, with splitter plate, on each side of the fuselage above the wing centre-section.
Fuel
The fuel of the aircraft is contained in five rubber main bag tanks aft of the cockpits, with a combined capacity of 1,055 litres (279 US gallons or 232 Imp gallons), and two 100 litre (26.5 US gallon or 22.0 Imp gallon) non-jettisonable wingtip tanks. The total internal fuel capacity is 1,255 litres (332 US gallons or 276 Imp gallons). There are provisions for two 150 or 350 litre (39.6/92.5 US gallon or 33.0/77.0 Imp gallon) drop tanks on the inboard underwing pylons, increasing the total overall fuel capacity to a maximum of 1,955 litres (517 US gallons or 430 Imp gallons). The fuel system permits up to 20 seconds of inverted flight.
Crew
The crew of two are seated in tandem, on Czech VS-1-BRI rocket-assisted ejection seats, operable at zero height and at speeds down to 81 kt (150 km/h or 94 mph). The individual canopies hinge sideways to starboard and are jettisonable. The rear seat is elevated. Dual controls are standard.
Armament
The armament configurations described are for the L-39 ZA/ART. An under fuselage pod below front cockpit, housing a single 23 mm GSh-23 two-barrel gun with the ammunition (maximum 150 rounds) housed in the fuselage above the gun pod. Gun/rocket/missile firing and weapon release controls in front cockpit only. Four underwing hardpoints, inboard pair each stressed for up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) and outer pair for up to 250 kg (551 lb) each. Maximum underwing stores load 1,000 kg (2,205 lb). Non-jettisonable pylons, each comprising of an MD3-57D stores rack. Typical underwing stores can include various combinations of bombs (two of up to 500 kg or four of up to 250 kg), four rocket launchers for 2.75 in FFAR or CRV-7 rockets, AIM-9 air-to-air missiles (outboard stations only), two 150 or 350 litre drop tanks (inboard stations only) or two training dispensers.
