History
The Aero L-39 Albatros is a jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed in Czechoslovakia to replace the Aero L-29 Delfín. It made its maiden flight on November 4, 1968. From 1972, it became the main training aircraft for the Warsaw Pact countries. Production was carried out by Aero Vodochody until 1999. A total of 2868 L-39s and 80 L-59s were built.This aircraft is in service with over 30 countries around the world.
The L-39 is used for pilot training in various weather conditions, both day and night, as well as for training in combat elements, including intercepting air targets and attacking ground targets.
It is also used to train military and civilian pilots.It is possible to simulate failures from the instructor's workstation, and there is also training for cadets in the use of various types of flight and high-altitude equipment. The training complex includes the TL-39 flight simulator and the NKTL-29/39 ejection seat training simulator.
Overview
General
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Length: 12.13 m (39 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 9.46 m (31 ft 0 in)
- Height: 4.47 m (14 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 18.8 m2 (202 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 3,395 kg (7,485 lb)
- Normal takeoff weight: 4,337 kg (9,564 lb)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb) with concrete runway (4,600 kg (10,141 lb) with dirt runway)
- Maximum back-up time: 20 seconds
- Maximum fuel capacity: 1,014 kg (2,235 lb) (with fuel density 0.78 g/cm3)
- Number of engines: 2 (main and auxiliary)
- Main engine type: Two-shaft turbofan AI-25TL
- Maximum main engine thrust: 1,720 kgf (16.87 kN)
- Thrust of auxiliary engine-turbostarter: “Sapphire-5”
- Maximum horizontal flight speed: 760 km/h (473 mph) (at an altitude of 6,500 m (21,329 ft))
- Maximum permissible speed for strength: 900 km/h (559 mph) (M = 0.8)
- Maximum overload: +8 / -4
- Cruising speed (indicated): 390 km/h (242 mph)
- Approach speed: 160 km/h (100 mph) (with flaps and landing gear extended)
- Maneuvering speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
- Maximum range: 1,015 km (631 mi) (with wing tanks)
- Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
- Rate of climb (at ground level): 22 m/s (1,320 m/min)
- Minimum time to climb:
- 6,000 m (19,685 ft): 6.4 minutes
- 10,000 m (32,808 ft): 16.9 minutes
Armament (data for L-39C model 1988)
- 2 underwing beam pylons (34 kg (75 lb))
- Bombs: 2 x OFAB-100 (246 kg (543 lb))
- Guided missiles: 2 I-318 simulators (106 kg (234 lb)) + 2 APU-13M1 (42 kg (93 lb))
- Unguided missiles: 2 UB-16-57U (104 kg (229 lb)) + 32 S-5 rockets (124 kg (274 lb))
Performance
- Maximum speed: 761 km/h (473 mph)
- Approach speed: 160 km/h (100 mph) (with flaps down)
- Practical range: 1,650 km (1,025 mi) (without external fuel tanks)
- Practical ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
- Rate of climb: 21 m/s (1,260 m/min)
- Takeoff run: 580 m (1,903 ft)
- Landing run: 560 m (1,837 ft)
Model variations
- L-39C – Basic version of the trainer aircraft, intended for basic and first stage of flight training.
- L-39ZO – Modification, which can be used as a light attack aircraft, equipped with four hardpoints.
- L-39ZA – Further development of the L-39ZO with a two-barreled GSh-23 cannon.
- L-39V – Used for towing air targets.
- L-39MS (L-59) – Modification with a new DV-2 turbofan engine, ejection seat and improved electronic equipment.
- L-39M1 – Ukrainian modernization with increased engine thrust and improved control system.
Advantages
The L-39 Albatros is a Czechoslovakian jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed in the 1960s. It has been widely used by many air forces around the world and is still in service with some of them today.
Advantages:
- Ease of handling: The L-39 is known for its ease of handling and stability, making it an ideal aircraft for training cadets.
- Reliability: The aircraft has a robust design and is easy to maintain, which helps to keep operating costs down.
- Affordability: The L-39 was produced in large numbers and is still relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for flight schools and clubs.
- Good maneuverability: The L-39 has good maneuverability, allowing it to perform a variety of aerobatic maneuvers.
- Armament capability: The L-39 can be armed with a variety of weapons, including guns, rockets, and bombs,making it suitable for light attack missions.
- Modern equipment: The L-39 is equipped with more modern equipment than the L-29 Delfin, including a radar and a radar warning receiver.
Disadvantages:
- Limited range: The L-39’s range is still limited compared to modern combat aircraft.
- Noise: The L-39 is a relatively noisy aircraft, which can be a problem for some pilots and residents of nearby areas.
- Not well-suited for ground attack: The L-39 is not well-suited for ground attack missions due to its limited armor and lack of dedicated ground attack systems.
Combat use
L-39ZO were used during the Libyan Civil War.
L-39s were used during the Syrian Civil War.
However, the L-39C Albatros does not have the design capabilities to attack small and slow air targets. For example, the use of the ASP-ZNMU-39 installation for accurate targeting of Shahed-131/136 with S-5 unguided missiles is difficult. In addition, Iranian kamikaze drones can change course, which calls into question the maneuverability of the L-39C for such missions.
Although there are theoretical possibilities for using the L-39 in air combat, there are limited cases of successful use in practice. Even with the rich experience of using the L-39 in military operations, the success of such missions is almost not fixed.
The first case of combat use of the L-39C was their use by the Afghan Air Force in 1979 to attack ground targets.
Iraq used its L-39s during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988 to attack ground targets and other tasks, but there were no recorded air clashes involving them.
Libya used the L-39ZO in combat in Chad to attack ground targets.
L-39ZO were used by the Sandinistas in Nicaragua to hunt down enemy boats and small sea vessels.
Azerbaijan used the L-39 during the war against Armenia in 1990-1994 to attack ground targets.
Conclusions
In general, the L-39 Albatross is a reliable, easy-to-fly, affordable and multifunctional combat training aircraft that has proven itself well in many countries around the world.
