22 New Aircraft, Six Upgrades and Six Options

At Farnborough Aero Vodochody (Aero) has announced two strategic agreements for delivery of the L-39NG trainer: one with RSW Aviation and the second with SkyTech.

RSW Aviation, which provides military training from its US-based training academy from the ab initio to operational qualification stages, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the delivery of 12 L-39NG aircraft and the upgrade of six more to the L-39CW variant. The LoI also includes state of the art simulators and debriefing devices.

The L-39CW combines the existing L-39C aircraft with a new FJ44-4M Williams International engine and Genesys Aerosystems Avionics, providing an immediate solution for current operators by upgrading existing platforms until L-39NG aircraft are delivered. The L-39NG aircraft is a brand-new jet training aircraft with light-attack capabilities, designed as a unified, comprehensive training system for modern air forces. The L-39NG is based on the aerodynamic concept of the current L-39, incorporating the latest technologies and equipment. Power is provided by the modern FJ44-4M engine supplied with the TAP Blue engine support service to ensure a high degree of airworthiness and predictable maintenance costs. The aircraft’s avionics are prepared to train future pilots of 4^th– and 5^th-generation aircraft and can be tailored to the customer’s requirements.

“We have identified a lot of synergies between the RSW customer-oriented approach and the capabilities of the L-39NG and are proud that RSW selected the L-39NG as a cornerstone of its lead-in training capability,”  commented Aero President & CEO, Giuseppe Giordo.  

“The addition of the L-39NG further solidifies our ability to prepare a fighter pilot for a 4^th+ generation fighter aircraft with exceptional value,” added RSW’s Chief Operating Officer, David Patrick.”

The agreement with SkyTech, a leading provider of military aviation services and funding solutions, involves delivery of 10 L-39NGs and includes an option for an additional six aircraft. The combination of the modern L-39NG training aircraft and SkyTech’s innovative approach brings an unparalleled opportunity for the training of modern air forces to the market. The agreement includes a set of state-of-the-art simulators and debriefing devices.  

“We are proud to announce that in addition to the recently signed contract with Senegal, we are signing this new agreement achieving a backlog of up to 38 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2022 and coming from international customers and partners. SkyTech represents a strategic partnership for us, starting a new era in jet training at a time when all air forces have an urgent need of cost effective training, with growing time and capacity demands. The solution with SkyTech allows immediate training of the air force personnel and provides operators the time and comfort of selecting a new trainer, or alternatively, it allows them even to use the AERO-SkyTech solution on a long-term basis,”  commented Mr. Giordo.

SkyTech, which is powered by well-known aircraft leasing company HiFly, and partnered with Australian defence provider Adagold Aviation, is already starting to transform the way militaries look at their procurement modelling. “We can create a situation whereby air forces can obtain their necessary squadron and force projection with less strain on already shrinking budgets,”  explained the company’s President and CEO, Dr. Paulo Mirpuri. “In the training pipeline, the L39NG is an important part of our strategy to provide countries with cost-effective options as new pilots move through the various phases from initial screening through to operational squadrons.” He added that he considers the agreement to be “a strategic milestone in SkyTech’s evolution and one we are proud to share with Aero.”