Aero Vodochody plans to conduct the first flight of a modified L-159 two-seat trainer for the Czech air force next month, following the completion last week of assembly activities at its production facility near Prague.
Dubbed L-159T1, the aircraft is the first of four to be upgraded this year from the service's single-seat L-159A configuration to a two-seat standard. The first modified platform - 6069 - was among the last L-159s to be delivered to the Czech air force in 2003, according to Flight's MiliCAS database. All four should be returned to service by year-end, says Aero Vodochody president Peter Ondro.
Also marketed as the L-159BAT, the modified aircraft is being promoted widely to potential export customers, with these to potentially acquire modified surplus Czech air force L-159As, 49 of which are in storage awaiting disposal.
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The Czech air force upgrade also supports national disposal efforts |
Source: Flight International
