Aero Vodochody and Israel Aerospace Industries have signed a partnership agreement covering technical and marketing cooperation for the light combat L-159 aircraft. The partners have agreed to integrate new state-of-the-art avionics and other solutions and to jointly market the aircraft, with a view to strengthening the L-159's position in the light attack market.

The two companies have also agreed to collaborate on enhancing pilot training by integrating IAI's virtual training solutions as part of the overall L-39NG training system.

The L-159 is already equipped with a multi-mode IAI (Elta) radar for all-weather, day and night operations, and can be equipped with IAI Real Time Tactical data link. The L-159 configuration can be tailored to customer-specific requirements and adapted to needs of basic training as well as combat missions including air-to-ground, patrol and reconnaissance missions.

The L-39NG aircraft, proposed in partnership with Omnipol, is an upgraded version of the L-39 Albatros.. The aircraft is powered  by the Williams International FJ44-4M engine supplied with the TAP Blue engine support service.

The aircraft's avionics —designed to train future pilots of 4th and 5th generation aircraft — can be tailored to the customer's requirements. The L-39NG is equipped with five mounting points for weapons. The aircraft also features a broad range of simulation technologies, including the integration into high-tech tactical simulation centres.

Aero Vodochody recently obtained type certification for the L-39CW (see photo) featuring the FJ44-4M engine and upgraded avionics; this version is seen as an intermediate step towards the L-39NG.