Story ID: 
Aero Vodochody pushes L159 sales
By: Julian Moxon
Caption: Aero Vodochody is demonstrating its L-159B advanced jet trainer at Dubai 2005 in a dynamic flight display, nurturing continuing hopes of sales in the regio
Word Count: 233
Aero Vodochody is demonstrating its L-159B advanced jet trainer at Dubai 2005 in a dynamic flight display, nurturing continuing hopes of sales in the region.

Vaclav Miskovsky, v-p marketing and sales of the Czech Republic manufacturer, revealed to Aviation International News that the L-159B is being offered to potential customers at a price “between 25 percent and 30 percent less than the [BAE Systems] Hawk.” Sales hopes for the L-159B are pinned on replacing the many L-39 and L-59 jet trainers still in service with countries that include Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. Other targets include the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Greece.

Besides low purchase and operating costs, features being campaigned for the aircraft   include a rugged landing gear for unpaved airstrips, short takeoff ability and “better good hot-and-high performance than the Hawk, thanks to a bigger, high-lift wing,” said Miskovsky. 

The L-159 is being flown    at the show by Miroslav Schutzner, who puts the aircraft through a routine including high-g maneuvers, low-speed controllability and a hammerhead stall at the top of its climb. 

The L-159 is NATO-compatible and can be equipped with the same armament as the Western F-16 or F-18 fighters, including laser-guided bombs and missiles. The company said recent NATO exercises the aircraft “regularly defeated supersonic aircraft of simulated adversaries.”