Czech Air Force receives three L-159T2S

摘要

AERO VODOCHODY has delivered three two-seat L-159T2S to the Vzdusne sily Armady Ceske republiky (Air Component of the Army of the Czech Republic). The jets will replace L-39ZA aircraft previously serving at the 21. zakladna taktickeho letectva (21st Tactical Air Force Base) in Caslav. A handover ceremony for the L-159T2s took place at the Aero premises on June 4. The two-seat jets will be used for advanced training, progressing young pilots to the Gripen. The L-159T2's improvements include cockpits equipped with two multifunction displays and upgraded VS-20 ejection seats. The aircraft has a new pressure refuelling capability and Grifo radar, as used in the single-seat L-159 ALCA, plus self-protection systems. The T2 airframe has a newly built central and forward fuselage; the remainder is sourced from older single-seat L-159s. The air component ordered three L-159T2s in 2016 and a first flight took place on August 2 last year.