IAI Partners With Czech Firm To Jointly Develop, Market Light Attack Combat, Trainer Jets

Czech aircraft manufacturer AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s., and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. have signed a partnership agreement relating to technical and marketing cooperation for the light combat L-159 aircraft.

The partners have agreed to integrate new state-of-the-art avionics and other solutions, on the L-159 platform, and to jointly market the aircraft.

Giuseppe Giordo, Aero Vodochody President & CEO said: "Together with IAI, Aero will be ready to offer aircraft with the best available technology. The agreement brings us together with a strong international partner with access to new potential customers.

Joseph Weiss, Israel Aerospace Industries President & CEO said: "The cooperation with Aero Vodochody opens up new and exciting oppertunities by combininng the impressive proven performance of the L-159, with new innovative IAI systems, to provide customers with aircraft that meet their future requirements".

AERO and IAI have agreed also to collaborate on enhancing pilot training by integrating IAI's virtual training solutions as part of the overall L-39NG training system. The L-39NG is now the only platform on the market capable of meeting most of the pilot training syllabus including advanced portion. This will be of benefit to customers that decide to use only one platform for pilot training and also for customers that retain the two platforms approach, by reducing the number of advanced trainer aircraft resulting in significant cost reduction.

The L-159 is a light multi-role combat aircraft designed for a variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground and reconnaissance missions.

The L-39NG aircraft is a modern and effective trainer designed to meet the comprehensive pilot training requirements of modern air forces.

The L-39NG is based on the aerodynamic concept of the current L-39, but utilizes the latest technologies and equipment. The aircraft is powered by the modern FJ44-4M engine supplied with the TAP Blue engine support service, to ensure highly reliable performance and predictable maintenance costs.