The Czech Air Force, ICAO code CEF, is the air force branch of the Czech Republic Army. The Air Force, with the Ground Forces, comprises the main combat power of the Czech Army. Image File history File links Czech_roundel. ... A ground attack aircraft is an aircraft that is designed to operate very close to the ground, supporting infantry and tanks directly in battle. ... L-39C Albatros Slovak L-39 ZA at Radom Air Show 2005 The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. ... The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firms earlier L-39. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin or Gryphon) is a fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... L-39C Albatros Slovak L-39 ZA at Radom Air Show 2005 The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. ... The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firms earlier L-39. ... Zlin Z42 M, tail number SP-AKE (nr 0170). ... Romanian Air Force Antonov An-26 The Antonov An-26 (NATO reporting name: Curl) is a 2-engined light prop transport aircraft and is a development of the An-24 passenger aircraft, with particular attention made to the potential military use. ... The LET L 410 Turbolet is a high-wing twin-turboprop unpressurised 19-passenger aircraft manufactured by Let Kunovice in Kunovice in the current Czech Republic. ... The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name: Careless) is a Russian medium-range trijet airliner, equivalent to the Boeing 727. ... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... An Air force is a military or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare. ...

History

Interwar period (1918-1939)

For a modern nation surrounded by potentially hostile neighbors, without access to the ocean, the Czechoslovak leadership needed to build a capable air force. So was born the motto, "Our sea is in the air."

Aero Vodochody L.159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft of the Czech Air Force

Saab JAS 39C Gripen of the Czech Air Force

The Czechoslovak government between the wars balanced a home-grown aviation industry with licensing engine and aircraft designs from allied nations. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2252x1596, 861 KB) Aero Vodochody L159A ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft) of the Czech Air Force, registration 6063, at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2252x1596, 861 KB) Aero Vodochody L159A ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft) of the Czech Air Force, registration 6063, at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2316x1627, 534 KB) Saab JAS 39C Gripen (identifier 9241) of the Czech Republic Air Force taxis for takeoff at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2316x1627, 534 KB) Saab JAS 39C Gripen (identifier 9241) of the Czech Republic Air Force taxis for takeoff at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. ... Licensing is a form of strategic alliance which involves the sale of a right to use certain proprietary knowledge (so called intellectual property) in a defined way. ...

Several major aircraft companies, and a few engine companies, thrived in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. One well-known engine manufacturer was A. S. Walter located in Prague.

The Aero Company (Aero Továrna Letadel), was located in the Vysocany quarter of Prague. Its mixed construction (wood, metal and fabric covering) and all-metal aircraft were competitive in the early 1930s; however, by 1938, only its MB.200 (a licensed Bloch design) was was not obsolete. Aero Vodochody (commonly referred to as Aero, Vodochody is location) is a Czech (and Czechoslovak) aircraft company notable for producing the L-29 Delfin, L-39 Albatros and the L-159 Alca. ... Nickname: City of a Hundred Spires Motto: Praga Caput Rei publicae Location within the Czech Republic Coordinates: Country Czech Republic Region Capital City of Prague Founded 9th century Government  - Mayor Pavel Bém Area  - City 496 km²  (191. ... The MB.200 was a French bomber aircraft built by Societé des Avions Marcel Bloch, designed in response to a 1932 requirement for a new day/night bomber. ... The Société des Avions Marcel Bloch was a French aircraft manufacturer of military and civilian aircrafts, that further changed its name in Dassault Aviation, after the end of the second great conflict. ...

The Avia Company (Avia Akciová Společnost Pro Průmysl Letecký Škoda), a branch of the enormous Škoda Works (Škodovy Závody) heavy machinery and defence industrial organization, was different. Founded in 1919 in an old sugar factory in the eastern Prague suburbs of Letnany and Cakovice, Avia made entire airplanes, including motors, which were usually licensed Hispano-Suiza designs. The standard Czechoslovak pursuit plane of the late 1930's, the B-534 reached a total production of 514 units. Avia was a Czech aircraft company notable for producing biplane fighters, especially the B-534. ... Å koda Works (Czech: Å kodovy závody; today Å koda Holding, a. ... Hispano-Suiza is a French engineering firm best known for their engine and weapon designs in the pre-World War II period, work that developed out of their earliest work in luxury automobile design. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The state-controlled Letov (Vojenská Továrna Na Letadla Letov) was also situated in Letnany. It employed about 1,200 workers in the late 1930s, and it crafted the S-328 biplane, of which over 450 were produced. The entire airframe was welded together, not bolted or riveted. The Letov factory was the only Czech plant that manufactured metal propellers. Letov Kbely (Kbely is a location) is a Czech (and Czechoslovak) aircraft company. ... Hs123 biplane. ...

World War II (1939-1945)

During this time, Czechoslovakia was divided into the "Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren" (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia) - a rump state directly controlled by Nazi Germany - and the Slovak Republic - a German puppet state. Under German rule all Czech aircraft where absorbed into the Luftwaffe - and its huge manufacturing base turned to producing German aircraft and engines. Capital Prague Language(s) Czech, German Politcal structure Protectorate Reichsprotector  - 1939-1941 Konstantin von Neurath  - 1941-1942 Reinhard Heydrich (acting)  - 1942-1943 Kurt Daluege (acting) Staatspresident  - 1939-1945 Emil Hácha Historical era World War II  - Occupation March 15, 1939  - Fall of Prague May 13, 1945 Currency Bohemian and Moravian... A rump state is the remnant of a once-larger government, left with limited powers or authority after a disaster, invasion or military occupation. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... This or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Cold War (1946-1988)

During this time Czechoslovakia was member of the Eastern Bloc, allied with the Soviet Union, and from 1955 a member of the Warsaw Pact. Because of this, the Czechoslovak air force used Soviet aircraft, doctrines and tactics. The types of aircraft were mostly MiGs. A map of the Eastern Bloc. ... Unofficial Seal of the Warsaw Pact Distinguish from the Warsaw Convention, which is an agreement about airlines financial liability and the Treaty of Warsaw (1970) between West Germany and the Peoples Republic of Poland. ... MIG may refer to one of the following. ...

Velvet Revolution to break up of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992)

Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ...

Czech Republic (1993-present)

The Czech Air Force was still under the influence of the past in the 1990's. It was equipped mainly with older Russian aircraft. However when the Czech Republic became a member of NATO in 1999, it began to revise and update its doctrines and aircraft. The Czech government decided to buy a flight of Swedish JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighter aicraft capable of reaching supersonic speeds. However Swedish journalists discovered in 2003 that bribery and corruption had probably taken place during the aircraft selection procedure. ^[1] NATO 2002 Summit in Prague. ... The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin or Gryphon) is a fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. ...

Air Force Bases

• 21st Tactical Air Force Base at Čáslav, "Zvolenská"
• 22nd Air Force Base at Náměšť nad Oslavou, "Biskajská"
• 23rd Helicopter Base at Přerov, "Edvard Beneš"
• 24th Air Transportation Base at Prague - Kbely
• 25th Air Defence Missile Brigade at Strakonice
• 26th Air Command, Control and Surveillance Bridage at Stará Boleslav
• Pardubice Airfield Authority
• Air Maintenance Base at České Budějovice

List of aircraft

The Czech Air Force operates 190 aircraft, including 61 combat aircraft and 84 helicopters. 37% of the Air Force's aircraft were manufactured in the Czech Republic.

In addition, several Sojka III unmanned aerial vehicles are operated for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. L-39C Albatros Slovak L-39 ZA at Radom Air Show 2005 The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic_(bordered). ... The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is a Czech military trainer aircraft developed from the firms earlier L-39. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic_(bordered). ... The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Romanian Air Force Antonov An-26 The Antonov An-26 (NATO reporting name: Curl) is a 2-engined light prop transport aircraft and is a development of the An-24 passenger aircraft, with particular attention made to the potential military use. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... The Challenger 601 is used as a transport by the Canadian Forces. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada_(bordered). ... The LET L 410 Turbolet is a high-wing twin-turboprop unpressurised 19-passenger aircraft manufactured by Let Kunovice in Kunovice in the current Czech Republic. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic_(bordered). ... The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a large twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... The Mil Mi-24 is a large combat helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... The Mil Mi-2 (NATO reporting name is Hoplite) was a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Poland_corrected_(bordered). ... One of armed versions during Airshow 2005 in Radom The PZL W-3 Sokół (Polish Falcon) is a Polish medium size twin engine multipurpose helicopter manufactured by PZL Świdnik. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Poland_corrected_(bordered). ... The Saab JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin or Gryphon) is a fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sweden. ... The Tupolev Tu-154 (NATO reporting name: Careless) is a Russian medium-range trijet airliner, equivalent to the Boeing 727. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... Yak-40 Yak-40 as business jet The Yakovlev Yak-40 (NATO reporting name: Codling) is a small, three-engined regional transport aircraft. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... Zlin Z42 M, tail number SP-AKE (nr 0170). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic_(bordered). ... UAVs in a hangar An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a pilotless aircraft, controlled either remotely or flown autonomously, used for a number of missions, including reconnaissance and attack roles. ...

Types recently retired from Czech service include:

• Aero L-29 Delfin single-engine jet trainer
• Antonov An-30 photo version of An-24/26/28 series (1x)
• Mikoyan MiG-21

Aero L-29 Delfin The Aero L-29 Delfin (Czech: Dolphin, NATO reporting name: Maya) was a military jet trainer aircraft that became the standard jet trainer for the air forces Warsaw Pact nations in the 1960s. ... The Antonov An-30 ( NATO Clank), is a development of the An-24 equipped for aerial cartography. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ...

References

March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (86th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini era. ... Aviation Week & Space Technology (often abbreviated as Aviation Week or AW&ST) is a weekly magazine which reports upon the state of the aerospace industry. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini era. ...

See also

• Military of the Czech Republic

The Czech Armed Forces (Czech: Armáda České republiky) consists of Land and Air Forces and of specialized support units. ...

External links

• Global Security entry
• Official Czech Army site
• Book about JAS Gripen in Prague