A
ERO VODOCHODY AND
Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) have joined forces to
o er ‘a family of aircraft’ for
the US Air Force’s potential
OA-X light attack program.
The companies announced their
interest in entering this market in June
as Giuseppe Giordo, Aero Vodochody
president and CEO, told reporters,
‘Together with IAI, Aero is ready to o er
the USAF a multi-mission aircraft with
the best available technology today,
with potential for growth tomorrow. Our
two non-developmental solutions o er
the [US] air force a real choice of low-
risk, low-cost solutions, in aircraft ying
with coalition partners today.’
The proposition revolves around
Aero’s existing L-159 and L-39NG (Next-
Generation) aircraft, which the companies
say ‘meet or exceed’ the USAF’s OA-X
requirements for mission performance
and system attributes. Aero Vodochody
and IAI say they will integrate new avionics
and capabilities and jointly market the
aircraft, the initiative being ‘focused on
further strengthening the already proven
L-159 and [to] enhance its position in the
light attack market,’ according to a news
release. The companies have stated that
they are actively seeking an American
partner to help support their participation
in the OA-X program.The light attack requirement
In May, the USAF began the second phase
of its so-called Light Attack Experiment —
also known as OA-X — by evaluating light
attack turboprop aircraft at Holloman AFB,
New Mexico. This may eventually lead the
USAF to purchase 300 light attack aircraft,
but no o cial program of record exists.
Indeed, many suspect that any progress
is likely to involve the US leaning towardsproactively supporting export deals for
such aircraft. Although no funds were
requested for the project in Fiscal 2019,
$2.5 billion has been earmarked over
the course of the Future Years Defense
Program (FYDP).
During the rst phase of the experiment
in 2017, the eld was narrowed down
to the Beechcraft AT-6B Wolverine
and the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-
Super Tucano. ‘If we can get light
attack aircraft operating in permissive
combat environments, we can alleviate
the demand on our fourth- and fth-
generation aircraft, so they can be training
for the high-end ght they were made
for’, said Lt Gen Arnie Bunch of the USAF’s
o ce for acquisition. Giordo says that Aero
and IAI have requested participation in the
OA-X evaluation.The new offer
Benjamin Cohen of IAI’s Lahav Division
told reporters, ‘Our co-operation with
Aero Vodochody o ers the USAF [the]
impressive proven performance of the
L-159, with new innovative IAI systems, to
provide customers with aircraft that meet
their OA-X requirements.’
The L-159 is certainly enjoying
something of a renaissance, and has a
growing presence in the US thanks to
co-operation with contractor air service
provider Draken International. In July
2014, Aero announced a partnership
with Draken to market, assemble and
support L-159s ‘and future derivatives’
in North and South America. Draken’s
Lakeland, Florida, facility is planned to
become an authorized overhaul center for
Aero aircraft.
The Czech government approved the
sale of up to 28 ex-Czech Air Force L-159s
before Draken signed a contract for the
purchase of an initial 14 examples in JulyAero Vodochody has set out its stall to offer either its L-39 Next-
Generation or an upgraded L-159 for the US military’s light attack
needs. Is the US ready to take such an offer seriously?REPORT Jamie Hunter
CZECH
MATES?
http://www.combataircraft.net // August 2018 15
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