Making its European debut at Farnborough '98 is the full-scale cockpit mockup of the Czech L159 ALCA advanced light combat aircraft under development by Aero Vodochody.

The L159 ALCA two-seater was officially rolled out in June 1997, while the second prototype, the single-seater Czech Air Force light multirole combat aircraft, began flight tests last month.

Boeing became a strategic partner with Aero Vodochody early last year, and Boeing North American, formerly Rockwell, is responsible for integrating the L159 cockpit. AlliedSignal Aerospace Electronic Systems is responsible for the advanced weapons system avionics, including a 4x4 inch multifunction, active-matrix liquid crystal display, a miniature air data computer, and a friend-or-foe identification transponder.

AlliedSignal supplies the F124 engine, and Italy's FIAR last August signed a contract to supply 70 Grifo radars for the L159.

The Czech government has ordered 72 L159 ALCAs for delivery from 1999. The aircraft is the latest member of the well-known Aero L39/L139/L59 family, of which more than 2,900 are in service in 25 countries worldwide.