Andrew Doyle/PRAGUE
Development of the Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced light attack aircraft is running nine months behind schedule and first deliveries to the Czech air force are not expected until at least September 2000.
The first five aircraft, which have been built, were due to be handed over by the end of this year. Aero says it will deliver these, along with the 16 due for delivery in 2000, by the end of next year. The early-build aircraft may have to be modified when the development programme is completed.
"The intention with the L-159 programme was to develop and produce the aircraft concurrently," says Boeing Ceska President, Scott White. "What has happened, and it is a risk when you develop concurrently, is that the development programme isn't quite finished. While we are disappointed we are expecting that all of the aircraft will be delivered in 2000," he adds.
Boeing Ceska is a joint venture between Boeing and Czech Airlines, which owns a 35% stake in the Czech manufacturer.
Aero vice-president light attack/ trainer aircraft programmes, Viktor Kucera, says the outstanding development work mainly involves qualification and testing of the aircraft's systems and that the specification of the L-159 is frozen. Any modifications to the L-159 are likely to be "minor" and primarily related to software, he adds.
The remaining development work is expected to be performed in parallel with military testing of the aircraft to be undertaken by the Czech air force.
Source: Flight International