Aero Vodochody: Back in military aviation

16 aerospace industry l engineering Aero Vodochody Asserts Itself in Military Aviation Once Again Record-breaking numbers of orders for general overhaul, repair and modernisation of L-39 and L-159 aircraft and promising progress on a project for a new trainer and light combat aircraft L-39NG are evidence of the fact that Aero Vodochody has recently decided to focus more on its own aircraft and on the military sector. Last year Aero signed several new contracts with foreign users of the L-39 Albatros aircraft, most of which involve the support of Aero's strategic partner, OMNIPOL. Currently, Aero has orders for the general repair and modernisation of a total of 35 machines: L-39 aircraft for customers from Central Asia and Africa and L-159 aircraft for the Czech Air Force. "Thanks to these contracts, the company's revenue for maintenance and modernisation of aircraft doubled to CZK 2 billion," says Dieter John, president and CEO of Aero Vodochody. Aero successfully continues its project for a new trainer and light combat aircraft L-39NG. "Ground and air trials are fully under way and it is our goal to obtain certification special 2020 T+T Technika a trh for advanced trainers in the third quarter of 2020. The concept of industrialisation of the L-39NG is ready; serial production will begin this year and we will conclude some of our sales campaigns which will also contribute to an increase in revenue," adds Dieter John. In early 2019, Aero started a transformation project called A3F - Aero Fit For Future, which optimises operations and the supply chain, improves the overall effectiveness of the company and prepares it for dynamic growth. The project also involves a process of reducing the number of employees and current expenses. The process of mass lay-offs ended in May 2019 and affected a total of 250 employees. Now Aero is recruiting new employees for specific positions related to aircraft production. The company recruited thirty new employees late last year and early this year and still has a number of positions open.