Cost-effective fighter for CAS, COIN and Border Patrol

At Farnborough on 18 July Aero Vodochody (Aero) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled the F/A-259 STRIKER, a cost-effective, combat-proven multirole fighter attack aircraft intended for close air support (CAS), counter-insurgency (COIN) and border patrol operations.

Based on the successful L-159 ALCA, the F/A-259 STRIKER combines the robust, effective character of its predecessor with the latest advances in avionics and aircraft systems technology. Using the benefits of a wet wing, the STRIKER provides superior performance, great manoeuvrability, and a significant range.

STRIKER can operate from unpaved runways and has seven hard points for any combination of fuel, weapons, or mission equipment, allowing for smart weapons integration and standoff weapon capabilities. Optional equipment fits include AESA radar, helmet-mounted display and in-flight refueling.

The aircraft’s advanced fourth generation avionics are based on an open architecture, allowing for future updates, based on customer’s requirements and for the use of a real-time data link, supporting a high situational awareness capability. The advanced digital cockpit is equipped with two large multifunctional displays and an electronic flight instrument system, among other features.

“National air forces are looking for a solution how to fulfill a great variety of missions in an affordable way, while keeping high survivability of the aircraft and its crew. Aero and IAI are introducing a multirole fighter F/A-259 STRIKER with a wide range of combat capabilities that meet those needs of Air Forces all around the world by bringing great performance with low acquisition, operation and maintenance costs [….] There are not so many aircraft on the market providing such capabilities, because it is a new requirement,” observed Aero President and CEO Giuseppe Giordo.

“Our cooperation with Aero Vodochody offers the USAF impressive proven performance of the F/A-259, with new innovative IAI systems, to provide customers with aircraft that meet their OA-X requirements,”  commented IAI Lahav Division’s General Manager, Benjamin Cohen.