Aero Vodochody expects to fly the L-159B twin-seat advanced trainer and light-attack aircraft for the first time in early July and hopes to display it at the Farnborough air show later that month.
The L-159B variant is "critical to the success of the entire programme", says Earl Godby, executive vice-president business development for Boeing Ceska, which owns 35% of the Czech manufacturer. Although recently criticised by the Czech government for failing to secure sales of the Honeywell F124-powered L-159A single-seat light-attack aircraft, Boeing Ceska says it is committed to Aero and believes the low-cost two-seat L-159B will generate sales in Latin America. The only customer so far is the Czech air force, which has placed orders for 72 single-seat L-159As.
The L-159B is priced at $8.5 million.
Source: Flight International
