Czech company AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE and Swedish defense company Saab have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation. The two companies will work jointly on exploring adaptation possibilities of L-39NG to meet the needs of the Hungarian Air Force. The primary objective of the cooperation, where Saab has the role of subcontractor to Aero Vodochody, is to conduct a feasibility study for a modification of the L-39NG aircraft to enable Hungarian pilot training from basic to advanced training.
The results of the first phase of the collaboration will be subsequently used for a comprehensive joint study aimed at developing a new pilot interface and avionics system for the L-39NG aircraft to make it compatible with the Hungarian JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft. Aero and Saab have a long-term partnership and positive experience with previous collaborations. 2008, they entered into a collaboration on the L-159 combat and training system. In 2009, Aero began supplying the JAS-39 Gripen aircraft with pylons used to carry various weapon systems or fuel tanks. In 2011, the cooperation continued with the production of three more types of pylons, which were fully assembled and tested at Aero.
“This cooperation is a logical and natural step for us and we see a great opportunity in this newly set cooperation to further develop our L-39NG training system,” says Filip Kulštrunk, Aero’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. focuses on the development, production, maintenance, and modernization of military and civil aircraft and is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the world. In the field of its aircraft, Aero is a permanent partner of a number of military air forces and has a strong position in the market for military trainer and light combat aircraft. With 11,000 aircraft produced in its 100 years of existence, hundreds of L-39 Albatros aircraft still in service with dozens of military operators and a number of demo teams, and especially with its new L-39NG aircraft, Aero has established itself as a leader in the global jet trainer market. In the civil aviation sector, Aero works with major aircraft manufacturers on a wide range of projects and is a partner in several risk-sharing programmes, where it is responsible not only for the manufacture and assembly of aircraft assemblies, but also for their development.
