The two-seat version of the aircraft is designed for flight training of pilots. On 2nd August 1997, an L-159 ALCA prototype took off for the first time.

The aircraft is powered by the AlliedSignal/ITEC F124-GA-100 jet engine with a maximum thrust of 28 kN. Nearly 2,000 litres of fuel are stored in eight internal tanks (six in the fuselage, two at the wingtips), while another four fuel tanks (two of 525 litres and two of 350 litres each) can be suspended under the wings. The lightly armoured cockpit is equipped with a VS-2B ejection seat

The aircraft’s avionics include a GPS satellite navigation system – flight data is displayed on both the FV-3000 head-up display and a dual liquid crystal display screen. Communication is via Collins ARC-182 radio trans-receivers. Self-protection of the L-159 is provided by the Sky Guardian 200 radar receiver and the Vinten Vicon passive jammer. The Italian FIAR Grifo L multi-purpose impulse Doppler radar completes the aircraft’s main electronics.

All of the L-159 ALCA’s armament is located in an underfuselage mount and six underwing mounts. The aircraft can be equipped with a variety of weapons, ranging from classic bombs and rocket launchers to air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles. For other missions, the aircraft can be equipped with special equipment for aerial reconnaissance and/or electronic warfare.

An L-159 of the Czech Air Force will be on static display at AIRPOWER24.