Aero Vodochody is working to define the precise US content of its L-159 light combat/advanced trainer to establish whether US foreign military financing (FMF) can be used by eligible countries to acquire the aircraft.
The L-159 has roughly 50% US content, predominately the Honeywell F124 engine and Boeing integrated avionics suite that comprises Honeywell and CMC Flight Visions components.
Aero says: "We are making a determination of the exact percentage of the aircraft that qualifies as US content." If more than 50% of the aircraft has US components, it could be classified as "US built" and eligible for FMF. The company says the US government is contemplating the change, but "this decision has not yet been officially made".
Success would help Aero's marketing efforts in a number of countries. Egypt and Israel are FMF recipients with long-running advanced trainer requirements that have been stymied by funding difficulties.
Although Aero would still lead sales campaigns, it would be able to call on support from local US embassies, which would act as L-159 "advocates".
Apart from the Czech air force, Aero has not secured an L-159 sale. Prague recently issued an ultimatum decreeing that Aero has until the end of 2004 to secure an international order.
FMF allows the US government to finance via grants or loans the acquisition of US military equipment, services and training. It is intended to support Washington's regional stability goals. Funding is distributed by the Department of State and the programme is administered by the Department of Defense.
Most FMF money goes to Middle East countries, but African and Caribbean nations as well as the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, have also benefited.
Source: Flight International
