Shortly after the certification of the Aero-Vodochody L-39NG training version, an important first step in the preparation of its armed version was completed. A series of tests took place in the low-speed wind tunnel of the Czech Aerospace Research Centre in Prague (VZLU), focusing on the aircraft's ability to carry various armaments as part of the development of the light attack version.
To the light combat version of the L-39NG
Shortly after the certification of the L-39NG's training version, an important first step in the preparation of its armed version was completed. A series of L-39NG tests took place in the low-speed wind tunnel of the Czech Aerospace Research Centre in Prague (VZLU), this time the tests focused on the aircraft's ability to carry various weapon systems and armaments.
VZLU and wind tunnel tests
" In cooperation with the VZLU, we have completed the data collection phase from the wind tunnel before the aircraft will be converted to the Light Attack version and before the flight tests will begin next year. Our goal was to experimentally verify the expected deviations of aerodynamic performance that might be different from the training version », said the head of the L-39 NG program Vojtěch Lauda.
12.7 mm, 20 mm guns and 250 kg bombs
For measurement purposes, a model of the aircraft was printed in 3D at a scale of 1:6.6. First, measurements were taken on the aircraft without pods, then the aircraft with different types of pods, armaments, flap settings and different types of wingtips were measured. All armament models were also manufactured using 3D printing. The L-39NG aircraft has five pods to carry a wide range of weapons, starting with a 12.7 mm calibre machine gun or 20 mm calibre cannons, bombs weighing up to 250 kg, unguided air-to-ground missiles or air-to-air missiles. The integration of laser-guided weapons is also being considered.