The Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody is expanding the range of applications for its L-39 Skyfox jet trainer and is presenting a specialized drone fighter configuration for the first time at the Dubai Air Show.
The new variant follows a clearly recognizable trend: just a few days ago, Brazil’s aviation group Embraer also presented its A-29 Super Tucano as a platform for drone defense. The lightweight COIN and close air support aircraft was equipped with laser-guided missiles and cannons integrated into the wings for this purpose – and now Aero is following suit.
In the static exhibition of the Dubai Airshow Aero Vodochody is showing an L-39 Skyfox, which is specially designed to intercept unmanned systems. On board are two seven-fold launchers for laser-guided Thales FZ275LGR, two 12.7-millimeter MG containers and a Sinab Phoenix pod with electro-optical and infrared sensors and laser target illumination. The setup is complemented by the Scar Pod from the Austrian company Airborne Technologies from Wiener Neustadt, which extends the jet’s reconnaissance and target acquisition profile.
In addition to the Czech armed forces Hungary also relies on the L-39 Skyfox: Budapest onlyBudapest took delivery of two more aircraft in September. A total of twelve Skyfoxes are to be delivered by the end of 2028 – eight for advanced pilot training and four in a reconnaissance-specific variant.
Österreich, Schweden und Niederlande schließen Lufttransport-Partnerschaft
Aero has also recorded its first export success in Asia: in the first year after the program launch program, twelve aircraft went to Vietnamwhere the Skyfox is already operating under tropical conditions.
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