Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG

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Jet Trainer / Light Attack

Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG

Czech jet trainer once standard across the Warsaw Pact

The Aero L-39 Albatros is a Czechoslovak jet trainer and light attack aircraft made by Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic, in service since 1972. More than 2,800 were built, and the L-39NG version is back in production.

Czechia|Aero Vodochody
755 km/hMax Speed1,100 kmRange11,000 mService Ceiling2Crew4HardpointsIn ProductionStatus

What Is the Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG? Overview, History and Development

Aero Vodochody designed the L-39 as the standard jet trainer of the Warsaw Pact. It first flew on 4 November 1968 and entered service in 1972. The L-39C uses an Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan of about 17 kN and reaches about 755 km/h, with a ceiling of about 11,000 m and a range of about 1,100 km. The L-39ZA has a strengthened wing, four hardpoints and a GSh-23 gun pod, carrying roughly 1,000 kg of weapons.

More than 2,800 have been built and sold to dozens of countries. Production of the older types ended in the 1990s, with the L-59 and L-159 following. The L-39NG, with a Williams FJ44-4M engine and glass cockpit, first flew in 2018 and restarted production, using about 25% less fuel. Customers include the Czech Air Force, Senegal, Vietnam and Bulgaria. Ukraine and Russia both use the L-39. Libya, Syria, Sudan and Ukraine have used it for ground attack. The L-39NG price is about US$8 to 12 million.

Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG
Photo: X-angel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG Specifications: Speed, Range, Engines and Armament

ManufacturerAero Vodochody
CountryCzechia
Entered Service1972
First Flight1968
StatusIn Production
Crew2
Length12.1 m
Wingspan9.5 m
Height4.8 m
EngineAI-25TL
Thrust17 kN
Max Takeoff Weight4,700 kg
Max Speed755 km/h
Range1,100 km
Service Ceiling11,000 m
Hardpoints4
Units Built2,800+

Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG Variants and Versions Compared

L-39C

The L-39C is the basic trainer version with the AI-25TL engine.

L-39ZA

The L-39ZA is the armed version with a stronger wing, four hardpoints and a gun pod.

L-39NG

The L-39NG is the new-generation model with the Williams FJ44-4M engine and a glass cockpit.

Which Countries Use the Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG? Operators and Users

CzechiaSlovakiaBulgariaRomaniaEstoniaLithuaniaRussiaUkraineBelarusKazakhstanGeorgiaAzerbaijanAlgeriaTunisiaThailandVietnamCubaSenegal

Aero L-39 Albatros / L-39NG FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions

How much does an L-39NG cost?

An Aero L-39NG costs about US$8 to 12 million per aircraft, according to estimates. The price depends on equipment and the training package.

How fast is the L-39 Albatros?

The Aero L-39 Albatros has a top speed of about 755 km/h. Its ceiling is about 11,000 m, and its range is about 1,100 km.

Is the L-39 a fighter?

No, the Aero L-39 Albatros is a jet trainer and light attack aircraft, not a fighter. The L-39ZA can carry about 1,000 kg of weapons, but it is not designed for air combat.

How many L-39 were built?

More than 2,800 Aero L-39s were built, including the L-39ZA. Production of the older models ended in the 1990s. It was sold to dozens of countries and was the standard jet trainer of the Warsaw Pact, and many ex-military aircraft now fly privately.

L-39ZA vs L-39NG: what is the difference?

The L-39NG has a new Williams FJ44-4M engine, a glass cockpit and about 25% lower fuel use than the L-39ZA. The ZA uses the older AI-25TL engine.

Does Türkiye or any Arab country use the L-39?

Türkiye does not use the L-39, but Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Iraq have used it. Türkiye uses the T-38M and is developing the Hürjet.