Posted on 06/12/2018 8:13:01 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Aero Vodochody and its new partner Israel Aerospace Industries are making a late bid to be selected for the US Air Force’s OA-X close air support programme with an advanced version of the L-159 they say could be ready for delivery from 2020.
The two companies also say that – if chosen for the roughly 350-aircraft requirement – they would consider setting up a production line and supply chain for the Honeywell F124-GA-100-powered jet trainer in the USA.
Although OA-X funding has not yet been agreed, the Czech airframer’s chief executive Giuseppe Giordo expects the Pentagon to open a formal competition “soon”, and says the “combat-proven” L-159 would be “the most cost-effective and lowest-risk option”.
The USAF has already invited Textron Aviation and Sierra Nevada/Embraer to take part in an evaluation exercise this summer with their Beechcraft AT-6 and A-29 Super Tucano, respectively.
However, Giordo says the USAF “cannot afford the risk of flying with turboprops”, adding: “We do believe that US pilots need to have the best assets in close air support missions. This is not a developmental airplane. It has been used in a real operational war environment and can perform many roles.”
Aero Vodochody and IAI’s Lahav division announced in April that they are to collaborate on a version of the L-159 that will see the jet trainer equipped with a new, “fourth-generation” avionics suite and “other solutions”, believed to be weapons integration systems. The current variant already features IAI equipment, including an Elta Systems radar and optional datalink.
The company restarted low-volume production of the L-159 in 2016 after cancelling the programme in the mid-1990s when sole customer the Czech Republic furloughed most of its fleet of 72 aircraft. However, after a successful decade-long effort to sell the surplus types to the Iraqi air force – which has used them in its campaign against so-called Islamic State insurgents – and US adversary training specialist Draken International, Aero Vodochody has built two additional aircraft.
Giordo says two L-159 production lines could be established – one building the latest version for the transatlantic requirement with IAI and a possible US partner, and the existing facility near Prague focusing on the existing variant.
The partnership with IAI could also potentially include the smaller L-39NG: a re-engined version of its venerable Albatros jet trainer that Aero Vodochody hopes to fly by November and have operational by the first quarter of 2020.
The “new generation” L-39 already includes a Williams International FJ44-4M powerplant and Genesys Aerosystems glass cockpit. The Czech company secured its first customer, Senegal, earlier this year, with a deal for four armed examples. Giordo says it is “finalising contracts” with two other undisclosed operators.
Giordo says a further version of the L-39NG, with “fourth-generation” IAI avionics, could be offered.
Ping.
If they decided to go with a foreign jet, it looks like there are about a half dozen other options out there.
Several varieties of “trainers” have been used in second-tier wars as attack aircraft against top level and mid-level air defenses.
As in the Falklands, they are only moderately successful against top-level defenses. But the Brit’s had to fight them off anyway.
In post WWII Latin America they were using anything they could get their hands on. It was comical.
Sexier than the A-10?
Sort of a cross between a F-80 and a Douglas A-4.
What’s with the long nose? Where are the guns? Certainly not an A-10. Pass
If the USAF is getting rid of the A-10, I’m sure the Marines can use a CAS aircraft.
“If the USAF is getting rid of the A-10, I’m sure the Marines can use a CAS aircraft.”
Some factions of the fighter mafia still want to get rid of the A10.
BUT this OA-X program is to find an aircraft to augment the A10, instead of using the A10 on low intensity conflicts such as Afghanistan.
You’re right. Designers must be playing with parts of old planes in their CAD systems seeing what they can come up with.
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