Extending Cooperation on L-39NG Aircraft

The Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody Aerospace and the Slovak state company Letecké opravovne Trenčín (LOTN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which specifies the details of future industrial cooperation between the two companies. In case of acquisition of the L-39NG aircraft by the Slovak army, the cooperation would include not only the production of parts for the new L-39NG aircraft, but also cooperation in the logistic support for these aircraft in Slovakia or in providing a Ground Based Training System.

Aero Vodochody is offering to Slovak Air Force a strategic cooperation, part of which is military pilots training and delivery of new L-39NG aircraft. Extensive involvement of the Slovak aviation industry is one of the key advantages of this offer.

"The state-owned company LOTN is a traditional partner of Aero Vodochody," said Jakub Hoda, Vice President for Sales & Business Development of Aero Vodochody. “Our new L-39NG aircraft, which was certified last year, opens up a wide range of opportunities to extend this cooperation. We offer relocation of production of some parts of the aircraft to Slovakia, specifically the tail part, nose, air brakes, and external fuel tanks. This would make LOTN one of the most important suppliers for the L-39NG. The signed memorandum also specifies other areas, such as providing services related to the L-39NG operation and involvement in other development projects of Aero.

The condition of the planned expansion of cooperation between Aero and LOTN is the acquisition of the L-39NG aircraft by the Slovak Air Force. Aero Vodochody offers to Slovakia a strategic and cost-effective solution for training of F-16 fighter pilots, part of which is the acquisition of 10 L-39NG jet aircraft in light attack variant and with an integrated virtual training system (VTS), which brings new features and cost savings when practicing tactical situations. The VTS system from Israeli company IAI is a solution for modern pilot training. In combination with a digital cockpit layout, the L-39NG is an ideal training platform to prepare pilots for the F-16 fighter aircraft.

Even after the certification of the L-39NG aircraft, there is potential of new cooperation in terms of further development projects like improvement of avionics, extension of weapon systems, or implementation of new simulation technologies and virtual reality.

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"Interesting opportunities for cooperation are already emerging in the field of R&D. I see the potential for involvement of Slovak companies from aviation industry as very realistic and beneficial in terms of development of hi-tech industry in the Czech Republic and Slovakia," added Vice President of Aero Jakub Hoda.

The L-39NG aircraft has an open architecture and it is possible to further develop it throughout its whole life-cycle, which, based on fatigue tests, is up to 15,000 flight hours for up to 40 years of operation.