Aero Vodochody

Aero Vodochody (commonly referred to as Aero) is a Czech (previous Czechoslovak) aircraft company. Its main production facilities are located at Vodochody Airport in the Prague-East District, on the territory between Vodochody and Odolena Voda region.

For the US manufacturer named Aero, see Aero Commander. For the Polish manufacturer named Aero, see Aero Ltd.

AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s.
TypeAkciová společnost
IndustryAerospace, arms Industry
PredecessorAero – továrna létadel
FoundedFebruary 25, 1919 (1919-02-25)
Headquarters
Odolena Voda, Central Bohemian
,
Czech Republic
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Dieter John (president and CEO)
ProductsAircraft, helicopter, aircraft parts
Total assets5,384,688,000 Czech koruna (2017) 
OwnersOmnipol (49 %), Andras Tombor (51 %)
Number of employees
1,683[1] (December 31, 2013)
Websitewww.aero.cz
Aero Vodochody L.159A ALCA – Advanced Light Combat Aircraft
Aero L-39 Albatros of the Breitling Jet Team

During the Cold War era, the firm was well known for its range of jet-powered trainer aircraft, the L-29 Delfin and L-39 Albatros. It also developed derivatives of the L-39, the L-59 Super Albatros and the L-159 Alca military light combat jet. Aero Vodochody is believed to have handled the biggest aircraft industrial programme to take place across any of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) countries except for the Soviet Union itself. Following the fall of the communist government in Czechoslovakia during 1989, Aero Vodochody experienced a disruptive period of business, having lost a major portion of the market for its jet trainers. Sales noticeably declined during the 1990s in Eastern Europe as well as in NATO countries as a result of the peace dividend.

Between 1998 and 2004, Aero Vodochody was controlled by the American aerospace company Boeing.[2] During October 2006, the company was privatised once again, being bought by Czech-Slovak investment group Penta Investments for roughly 3 billion CZK.[3][2] Aero Vodochody continues to manufacture both whole aircraft and aerostructures for the aerospace industry. During the 2014 Farnborough Airshow, it announced the launch of the Aero L-39NG, an upgraded and modernised version of its ubiquitous L-39.

In year 2020 Penta Investments sold their business share to the Hungarian company Aero Investment Partners Ltd.

History

Aero Vodochody has been active since its founding in 1919. Between 1929[4] and 1951, its subsidiary, Aero, manufactured a range of small and medium-sized cars with two-stroke engines, it also briefly produced the Škoda 150 truck between 1946–47 under licence.

During the 1950s, Aero Vodochody developed the L-29 Delfin trainer aircraft; it was Czechoslovakia's first indigenously designed jet-powered aircraft. The L-29 is believed to have likely been the biggest aircraft industrial programme to take place across any of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) countries except for the Soviet Union itself.[5] During the course of the programme, in excess of 3,000 L-29s were produced; of these, around 2,000 were reported to have been delivered to the Soviet Union, where it served as the standard trainer for the Soviet Air Force. Of the others, which included both armed and unarmed models, many aircraft were delivered to the various COMECON countries while others were exported to various overseas nations, including Egypt, Syria, Indonesia, Nigeria and Uganda.[5] Reportedly, the type has been used in active combat during several instances, perhaps the most high-profile being the Nigerian Civil War of the late 1960s and of Egyptian L-29s against Israeli tanks during the brief Yom Kippur War of 1973.[6]

The L-39 Albatros was designed during the 1960s as a replacement for the Aero L-29 Delfín as a principal training aircraft.[7] Several specialised variants of the base L-39 design were quickly introduced. In 1972, a purpose-built target tug variant, the L-39V, conducted its initial flight.[8] During 1975, the first L-39ZO training/light combat model, which was equipped with four underwing hardpoints as well as a strengthened wing and modified landing gear, performed its first flight.[8] In 1977, the first L-39ZA light combat variant, which was fitted with a single Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 cannon mounted underneath the fuselage in addition to the four hardpoints and strengthening of the L-39ZO, made its maiden flight.[8][9][10] According to aerospace publication Flight International, roughly 200 L-39s were being sold each year upon the jet trainer market during the late 1980s.[11] Sales of the L-39 declined during the 1990s. This downturn has been attributed to the loss of the captive Warsaw Pact trainer market, to which a substantial proportion of the total aircraft manufactured had been historically sold to; allegations about Czechoslovak banks being unable to finance the defense industry and inaction on the part of the Czechoslovak government; and concerns over the quality of manufacturing standards.[11] During 1996, production of the L-39 was terminated.[8]

Aero Vodochody has developed several improved variants of the L-39 to take its place, and has continued extensive support and overhaul operations for existing L-39 customers.[12] The L-59 Super Albatros was derived from the L-39, being originally designated as the L-39MS.[13] Aero only produced a handful of L-59s before discontinuing production.[14] Another derivative of the L-39 Albatros was the L-159 Alca, a modernised combat-oriented version.[15] Originally, Aero Vodochody had intended to develop the L-159 in partnership with Elbit, but the Czech Ministry of Defense instead selected Rockwell Collins to partner on the program.[16]

During the 2010s, Aero Vodochody was engaged in the manufacture of the L-159 advanced light combat aircraft and the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. It has also an active presence in the aerostructures sector, producing the center wing box of the Alenia C-27J Spartan airlifter, door subassemblies for the Embraer 170 and Embraer 190 airliners, the cockpit of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, gun bay doors for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter, subassemblies and various elements of the Airbus A320 family airliner, and fixed leading edge kits for the Boeing 767 airliner.[17][18] The company is reportedly likely to upgrade the runway at its Vodochody Airport near Prague to international airport standards, allowing it to better serve the low-cost air carriers and charter flights that service Prague.[19]

During July 2014, Aero Vodochody presented the L-39NG programme at the Farnborough Airshow.[20] By April 2015, a partnership had formed between Aero Vodochody, American defence contractor Draken International and engine manufacturer Williams International to undertake the programme and to properly prepare the L-39NG to compete on the North American market.[21] The L-39NG is being developed and marketed in two stages.[22] The L-39NG upgrade program (Stage 1) contains an installation of FJ44-4M engine and optionally the Stage 2 avionics to existing L-39 Albatros.[21] The second phase (Stage 2) represents newly built L-39NG aircraft with the possible use of components from the previous upgrade to Stage 1, once the original airframe reaches the end of its life.[23][24][25] The first stage was formally completed om 14 September 2015 with the maiden flight of the L-39NG technology demonstrator (L-39CW).[26] On 20 November 2017, Aero Vodochody announced the completion of development of the L-39CW;[27] on 14 March 2018, they announced that the L-39CW, equipped with both the new engine and the new avionics, had received type certification.[28]

In June 2020, Aero Vochody was acquired by a Czech-Hungarian joint venture. Tombor, former chief security adviser to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, will hold 51% of the joint venture. 41 % will hold by Omnipol (owned by Richard Hava).[29]

Aircraft

Pre-World War II
  • Aero Ae 01 (1919, trainer based on Hansa-Brandenburg B.I)
  • Aero Ae 02 (1920, fighter)
  • Aero Ae 03 (1921, prototype high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft)
  • Aero Ae 04 (1921, prototype fighter developed from the Ae 02)
  • Aero A.8 (1921, four-seat biplane airliner)
  • Aero A.10 (1922, five-seat biplane airliner)
  • Aero A.11 (1924, reconnaissance/light bomber developed from the A.12)
  • Aero A.12 (1923, reconnaissance/light bomber)
  • Aero A.14 (1922, reconnaissance/mail plane)
  • Aero A.15 (re-engined A.14)
  • de Havilland DH.50 (airliner, licensed production)[30]
  • Aero A.16 (1926, biplane night bomber project)
  • Aero A.17 (1922, sailplane)
  • Aero A.18 (1923, fighter developed from the Ae 02, Ae 04 and A.11)
  • Aero A.19 (1923, prototype fighter)
  • Aero A.20 (1923, prototype fighter)
  • Aero A.21 (night trainer developed from the A.11)
  • Aero A.22 (utility aircraft developed from the A.11)
  • Aero A.22 (II) (unbuilt four-engine heavy bomber project)
  • Aero A.23 (1925, airliner)
  • Aero A.24 (1924, prototype twin-engine bomber)
  • Aero A.25 (trainer developed from the A.11)
  • Aero A.26 (reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Ae 10)
  • Aero A.27 (1926, re-engined A.24)
  • Aero A.27 (II) (1925, twin-engine 12-seat airliner project)
  • Aero A.28 (two-seat trainer)
  • Aero A.29 (1927, floatplane developed from the A.11)
  • Aero A.30 (1926, prototype reconnaissance/light bomber developed from the A.11)
  • Aero A.31 (single-seat fighter project)
  • Aero A.32 (1927, reconnaissance/bomber developed from the A.11)
  • Aero A.33 (1928, 14-seat trimotor airliner project)
  • Aero A.34 (1929, light sport aircraft)
  • Aero A.35 (1928, five-seat airliner)
  • Aero A.36 (1926, three-engine biplane bomber project)
  • Aero A.38 (1929, 8-seat airliner)
  • Aero A.40 (1926, racing aircraft project)
  • Aero A.42 (1929, prototype bomber)
  • Aero A.44 (1931, twin-engine heavy bomber project)
  • Aero A.46 (1931, prototype trainer)
  • Aero A.48 (1932, 8-seat airliner project)
  • Aero A.49 (1932, 2-seat ultralight aircraft project)
  • Aero A.55 (1933?, ultralight aircraft project)
  • Aero A.60 (1933, high-speed three-engine 6-seat transport aircraft project)
  • Aero A.100 (1933, reconnaissance/light bomber developed from the A.430)
  • Aero A.101 (reconnaissance/light bomber developed from the A.100)
  • Aero A.102 (1932, initial version of A.102)
  • Aero A.102 (1934, prototype fighter)
  • Aero A.104 (1937, prototype reconnaissance/light bomber developed from the A.101)
  • Aero A.125 (re-engined A.25)
  • Aero A.130 (re-engined A.30)
  • Aero A.134 (1929, re-engined A.34)
  • Aero A.200 (1934, sports plane)
  • Aero MB.200 (1935, Bloch MB.200 built under license)
  • Aero A.202 (1934, twin engine 14-seat airliner project)
  • Aero A.204 (1936, prototype two-engine airliner)
  • Aero A.206 (1936, prototype for A.300)
  • Aero A.210 (1936–37, four engine 14-20 seat airliner project)
  • Aero A.212 (1937, utility aircraft project)
  • Aero A.230 (1930, production version of A.30)
  • Aero A.300 (1938, bomber developed from the A.304)
  • Aero A.302 (1936, attack aircraft project)
  • Aero A.304 (1937, bomber developed from the A.204)
  • Aero A.321 (attack version of A.32 for Finnish Air Force)
  • Aero A.330 (re-engined A.230)
  • Aero A.351
  • Aero A.404 (bomber project developed from the A.304)
  • Aero A.430 (initial designation for A.100)

Post World War II
  • Aero Ae-45 (1947-1961, twin-engine utility aircraft)
  • Aero Ae 50 (1949, prototype reconnaissance aircraft)
  • Aero Ae 53 (transport glider prototype)
  • Aero Ae-145 (1948, unbuilt larger 5-seat derivative of Ae-45 powered by two Walter Minor 6-III engines)
  • LB P-1 (1950, projected two-seat, twin-engine high speed trainer/courier aircraft based on the Hodek HK-101)
  • LB P-16 (1951, four engine 15-17 seat airliner project)
  • Aero Ae-145 (1955, Ae-45 re-engined with Walter M332 engines)
  • Aero Ae-148 (1949, twin engine 12-seat airliner project powered by Walter M446 V12 engines)
  • Aero Ae-245 (similar to Ae-145 but with a tailwheel)
  • Aero Ae-345 (Ae-45 airframe with Walter Minor 6-III engines)
  • Aero B-34 (1958, proposed attack aircraft to replace the Avia B-33)
  • Aero HC-2 Heli Baby (1954)
  • Aero L-60 Brigadýr (1955)
  • Aero L-260 (1960, L-60 powered by a Praga M-208D engine)
  • Aero L-29 Delfín (1963–1974)
  • Aero L-229 (unbuilt single-seat light attack version of L-29)
  • Aero L-260 (1970, 10-seat multi-purpose aircraft project)
  • Aero L-360 (1960, L-60 powered by an Ivchenko AI-14R engine)
  • Aero L-429 (internal designation for the L-29A "Akrobat")
  • Aero S-102 Czech licensed production of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevish MiG-15 fighter
  • Aero CS-102 Czech licensed production of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15UTI trainer
  • Aero S-103 Czech licensed production of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15bis fighter
  • Aero S-104 Czech licensed production of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17PF fighter
  • Aero S-105 Czech licensed production of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19S fighter
  • Aero S-106 (1960s) Czech production version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F-13 fighter
  • Aero L-39 Albatros (1970–1997, military jet trainer)
  • Aero L-270 (1990, single engine utility aircraft)
  • Aero L-59 Super Albatros (1992–96, military jet trainer)
  • Aero Ae 270 Ibis (2000, civil utility aircraft, only four prototypes produced)
  • Sikorsky S-76 (2000–2015, Czech production of the parts of US helicopter)
  • Aero L-159 Alca (1997–2003 and 2016–2017, light attack aircraft and jet trainer)

In development
  • Aero L-39NG (military jet trainer, first flight in 2015, serial production in 2019)[31]
  • Aero F/A-259 Striker (light multirole attack aircraft and successor to the L-159 Alca, made in cooperation with Israel and unveiled in July 2018)[32]

References

Citations
  1. Aero Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s., Annual report 2013, page 54
  2. "History". Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  3. "Company profile". Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  4. Tuček 2017, p. 97.
  5. "Selling to Eastern Europe." Archived 2017-10-28 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 13 June 1974. p. 174.
  6. Fredriksen 2001, p. 4.
  7. Jackson, Robert (2011). Aircraft from 1914 to the present day. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-907446-02-3.
  8. "L-39 Program." Archived 2016-04-18 at the Wayback Machine Aero Vodochody, Retrieved: 17 April 2016.
  9. "Military Aircraft Directory: Aero Vodochody." Archived 2016-05-04 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 29 July 1998.
  10. "Czechoslovakia: Aero L-39 Albatros." Archived 2016-05-06 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 4 July 1981. p. 26.
  11. Jeriorski, Andrzej. "Business Analysis: Dilemmas in Prague." Archived 2016-05-07 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 5 April 1994.
  12. Sedlak, Lubomir. "Aero Vodochody up for sale." Archived 2016-04-28 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 17 May 2005.
  13. Lake 2000, p. 128.
  14. "Aero". Aero Vodochody. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  15. Gerzanics, Michael. "Czech striker." Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Flight International, 13 October 1999.
  16. Kiss 1997, pp. 48-49.
  17. "Other aerostructures". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  18. "Aerostructures". Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "L-39NG Multi-Role Jet Trainer, Czech Republic". airforce-technology.com. Kable, a trading division of Kable Intelligence Limited. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  21. "Draken International to Offer Next Generation Upgrades for Aero L-39 Aircraft". Reuters. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  22. "Project Roadmap". L-39NG. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  23. "L-39NG has announced first customers". L-39 Next Generation. AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  24. "Enhanced L-39NG trainer makes maiden sortie". Flight International: 17. September 22, 2015.
  25. Stevenson, Beth. "L-39NG moves to next phase of testing". FlightGlobal. Flightglobal.com. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  26. Jennings, Gareth. "Czech air force should be L-39NG launch customer, says chief". IHS Jane's 360. IHS.com. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  27. "Aero has accomplished the development of the L-39CW". Aero Vodochody website. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018.
  28. "New progress in L-39NG development: The L-39CW received type certificate". AERO Vodochody. March 14, 2018.
  29. "Czech-Hungarian joint venture buys military jet maker Aero Vodochody". June 11, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  30. Crook, John (1997). Air Transport the First Fifty Years. The Archive Photographs Series. Stroud: Chalford. p. 21. ISBN 0-7524-0790-2.
  31. "Aero Vodochody begins component production for L-39NG jet trainer aircraft". Airforce Technology. July 23, 2017.
  32. "Aero and IAI introduced multirole F/A-259 Striker aircraft". Aero.cz. July 19, 2018. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.

Bibliography
  • Fredriksen, John C. International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000. ABC-CLIO, 2001. ISBN 1-576-07364-5.
  • Kiss, Judit. The Defence Industry in East-Central Europe: Restructuring and Conversion. SIPRI, 1997. ISBN 0-1982-9280-5.
  • Lake, Jon. "Aero L-39 Albatross family: Variant Briefing". World Air Power Journal, Volume 43, Winter 2000. London:Aerospace Publishing. pp. 116–131. ISBN 1-86184-055-1.
  • Tuček, Jan (2017). Auta první republiky 1918–1938 (in Czech). Prague: Grada Publishing. ISBN 978-80-271-0466-6.

See also

Aero (automobile)

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