Counter-UAS by jet: Aero Vodochody shows L-39 Skyfox as drone hunter

The Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody is expanding the mission spectrum of its L-39 Skyfox jet trainer with a drone hunter configuration tailored specifically to counter-UAS. It is on show for the first time at the Dubai Air Show.

The new variant thus picks up on a clearly visible trend. A few days earlier, Brazilian aerospace group Embraer had already presented its A-29 Super Tucano as a counter-drone platform. The light aircraft for COIN and close air support was fitted with laser-guided rockets and wing-mounted cannons for this purpose. Aero is now following suit.

Counter-UAS equipment in detail

On display at the Dubai Airshow is an Aero Vodochody L-39 Skyfox designed specifically to intercept unmanned systems. It carries two seven-round launchers for laser-guided FZ275 LGR rockets from Thales, two 12.7-millimetre machine-gun pods and a Sinab Phoenix pod containing electro-optical and infrared sensors and a laser designator. There is also the Scar Pod from the Austrian company Airborne Technologies in Wiener Neustadt, which boosts the jet's reconnaissance and targeting performance.

The L-39 Skyfox flies not only with the Czech armed forces but also in Hungary: Budapest took delivery of two more aircraft only in September. A total of twelve Skyfox are to be delivered by the end of 2028, eight for advanced pilot training and four as a reconnaissance-focused variant.

Aero can also point to a first export success in Asia: in the very first year after the programme launch, twelve aircraft were delivered to Vietnam, where the Skyfox are already operating in tropical conditions.