Real World L39 CAS

[viperdogsnake]

Our squad is looking at using the ZA as an airborne forward air controller/ light attack aircraft. Does anyone know if its actually been used in this role? I suspect its really only used for traing and traditional strike missions.

[mwd2]

I know it is wiki, but: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros#Operational_history

[Einherjer]

It's not the main role of this plane (it also lacks of multiple radios) but the two seats , a couple of willi Pete rockets and smoke pods (for better finding the L39 in the air) makes it useful.

But be careful, there is no rwr, noch flares, no chaffs.

[Fri13]

Incapable to do anything for mission if there is a single MANPADS or even radar targeted SPAAG.

 

Only useful against helicopters, light AA capable units like boats etc with 12.7mm.

 

So it is only for training to execute maneuvers and process and then attack against trucks, small boats or unarmed fighters.

[OneBlueSky]

Our squad is looking at using the ZA as an airborne forward air controller/ light attack aircraft. Does anyone know if its actually been used in this role? I suspect its really only used for traing and traditional strike missions.

 

It has indeed been used for light attack in the past (not just training, but actual combat deployment), though it's effectiveness was quite limited. It's capable and has been used to strike light targets, troops, etc. but since it was developed as a trainer, it isn't equipped with anything of a defensive nature really. So if you tried to use one in a real world scenario against anything but insurgents or poorly equipped militias, you'd be in very serious trouble and probably would never even reach your target, and certainly wouldn't even see or know about what shot you down until you were shot down.

 

It's fun to try in game for a challenge, and you can do it (both in real life and game), but as far as real life goes it's use was met with quite limited success when it had any, and met failure more often than not.

[BButcher94]

They have been used a little bit in Syria for CAS.

Here's a vid of one doing a gun run.

[ame=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ec9_1350138498]http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ec9_1350138498[/ame]

[Yuya6104]

It's not the main role of this plane (it also lacks of multiple radios) but the two seats , a couple of willi Pete rockets and smoke pods (for better finding the L39 in the air) makes it useful.

But be careful, there is no rwr, noch flares, no chaffs.

 

 

Neather did FAC in Vietnam didnt have Chaff or Flares and they were reposeable of 60% the Strikes and first ones Lase for smart bombs, FAC has so many roles that cant even imagine even Marines today are still useing FAC aircrafts with a success rate that very good.

[Einherjer]

Yes the o-1 and ov-10 had great success, but great losses too. Their enemy's was "just" small arm fire and optical guidet aaa, sometimes old SA-2 or 3, here we have much more modern systems and a all seeing and sharp shooting AI which makes Fac'ing even harder for planes like the L-39.

But it depends on the mission designer! In an matching environment with light armed enemies it will really be fun!

[Fri13]

Yes the o-1 and ov-10 had great success, but great losses too. Their enemy's was "just" small arm fire and optical guidet aaa, sometimes old SA-2 or 3, here we have much more modern systems and a all seeing and sharp shooting AI which makes Fac'ing even harder for planes like the L-39.

But it depends on the mission designer! In an matching environment with light armed enemies it will really be fun!

 

Yes, it is very fun when making the enemy easy by tying both hands behind their backs and forcing them to use welding goggles.

 

Where L-39C combat really comes to shine is to fly against "drug traffic" or any other small arms enemies.

 

While it has seen combat in wars, missions has been so carefully chosen that there is basiclaly have not been any threat to aircrafts to get shot down or even shot at!

 

So if buying L-39, it is for one reason:

 

1) You like to fly it around but not do combat operations.

[solidGad]

Yes, it is very fun when making the enemy easy by tying both hands behind their backs and forcing them to use welding goggles.

 

Where L-39C combat really comes to shine is to fly against "drug traffic" or any other small arms enemies.

 

While it has seen combat in wars, missions has been so carefully chosen that there is basiclaly have not been any threat to aircrafts to get shot down or even shot at!

 

So if buying L-39, it is for one reason:

 

1) You like to fly it around but not do combat operations.

 

I bought it purely for combat, but against like you said, drug traffic up in the mountains of Georgia. Blowing up trucks, choppers and shooting down planes filled with heroin!

[ESAc_matador]

Well there are possible scenaries where there are not many Manpads and or missiles. But thete are light armored tanks. Africa. They use many triners for attack. Settle a fictitious scenary with troops, BMPs, 23mm trucks amd trucks (logistics ones) campamentd, FOBs,.. Point is you as a coibtry used whatever you have to beat your enemy.

[scaflight]

Sorry OP, I can't deliver a specific answer to your request. But I'd advice that not every army is the US Army, and not every conflict is in 2016, so how about you free up your imagination and enjoy this amazing aircraft in a situation where it's not invincible? ;)

 

I mean, it's not exactly a Biafran Baby...

[Hayden28]

I bought it purely for combat, but against like you said, drug traffic up in the mountains of Georgia. Blowing up trucks, choppers and shooting down planes filled with heroin!

 

I also bought it for the combat against mafia and little armies.

It is really nice to fly it. At the moment i fly solo but i can imagin that it would be even more funny when you attack together.

 

Does anyone know if there is a campaign on the way ?

[SFC Tako]

I mean, it's not exactly a Biafran Baby...

 

Those pilots lived by a code. And they were men. Oldschool.

[piXel496]

The limitations of this airplane makes it very enjoyable, even more if you have a squad. Pre-plan, formation flight, manage the tiny engine, shooting runs and the fun is. It is within visual range for all and without much technical distraction.

 

OT

Those pilots lived by a code. And they were men. Oldschool.

Sounds great, but those days might look fuzzy today.

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited March 31, 2016 by piXel496
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