Armed Assault Wiki
Armed Assault Wiki
Armed Assault Wiki
2,240
pages
in: Fixed-wing (Operation Arrowhead), Fixed-wing (Army of the Czech Republic), BLUFOR,
and 14 more

L-39ZA

Sign in to edit

The L-39ZA is a light attack jet used by both Czech military forces and the Takistani Army in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Operation Arrowhead expansion pack.

Overview[]

  • Role:
    • Fire support
« The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft. It was developed in Czechoslovakia and was widely used for pilot training all over the world.
This L-39ZA version is armed with a GS-23L 23mm twin barrel automated cannon and S-5 unguided missiles.
Armoury Description[1][2]
 »

Design[]

Premium content logo
This is a premium asset that requires ownership of the Operation Arrowhead expansion pack.

The L-39ZA is a single engine, low-wing jet-powered light attack aircraft with trapezoidal wings. It is mainly designed for training purposes but is capable of ground attack duties as well.

Armament
By default, the L-39ZA is armed with a GSh-23L 23 mm cannon that is loaded with 150× rounds worth of armour-piercing high-explosive (APHE) shells. Two S-5 rocket pods are fitted onto each wing's hardpoints, giving the L-39ZA access to four rocket pods. Combined altogether, the S-5 pods contain a total of 64× 57 mm rockets.[CfgVh 4][CfgVh 5]

Features
Originally intended for use as a jet trainer, the L-39ZA complements the heavier Su-25 in the close air support role. Aerodynamically, the L-39ZA is quite agile and is able to perform sharp mid-air turns without much loss in power, though it isn't nearly as fast as the L-159 ALCA is (the L-39ZA has a top speed of ~ 632 km/h compared to the ALCA's ~ 715 km/h). Additionally, it is still slower than the Su-25 (~ 703 km/h) and is easily outpaced by both the USMC's F-35B and the Russian military's Su-34.

Drawbacks
The L-39ZA has less overall "health" than the Su-25 and is more vulnerable to being shot down by surface-to-air missiles (it has a base armour of 60 versus the Su-25's 75, a ~ 22% reduction in "health").[CfgVh 6]

When it comes to weaponry, the L-39ZA isn't armed with any air-to-air missiles by default (unlike the Su-25), rendering it helpless against long-range attacks from faster and higher-flying jets. The lack of air-to-ground anti-tank missiles or unguided/laser-guided bombs also restricts the pilot to performing strafing runs with only its cannon and rockets since it can't attack ground-based threats from a standoff range. But in turn, this exposes the L-39ZA to low altitude anti-aircraft-capable assets and mobile SHORAD platforms, both of which can make such strafing runs a suicidal proposition.

Ideally, the L-39ZA needs other assets to secure the airspace for it first before the pilot can begin an attack run. Since it doesn't have the firepower to take on armoured vehicles, the L-39ZA works best in a support role alongside the Su-25 or ALCA, complementing the latter two platforms by mopping up infantry and light vehicle threats that couldn't be destroyed by the Su-25/ALCA's initial attack run.

Crew Capacity
The L-39ZA only supports a single pilot. It cannot transport passengers or additional crewmembers.

Variants[]

L-39C[]

Main article: L-39C

Camouflage[]

  • CZ Green: Czech Air Force semi-arid camouflage scheme. Only used on Czech L-39ZAs.
  • Desert: Two-tone desert tan/olive green camouflage scheme with a sky blue painted underbelly. Exclusively used by Takistani L-39ZAs.

Protection: Hitpoints[]

The L-39ZA has a base armour value of 60.[CfgVh 6]

LEGENDGreen = Hull

LEGEND
Green = Hull

Hull[]

The L-39ZA's hull can only withstand a maximum of 60 points of damage.[CfgVh 7][Formula 1] Depletion of the hull's integrity will instantly result in a total loss.[CfgVh 8]

Protection: Armour[]

LEGENDDark blue = armor_5mm_plate.bisurfGreen = glass_armored.bisurfMaroon = armor_23mm_plate.bisurfOrange = armor_7mm_plate.bisurfPurple = iron.bisurfRed = metalplate.bisurfTeal = armor_11mm_plate.bisurfYellow = plexiplate

LEGEND
Dark blue = armor_5mm_plate.bisurf
Green = glass_armored.bisurf
Maroon = armor_23mm_plate.bisurf
Orange = armor_7mm_plate.bisurf
Purple = iron.bisurf
Red = metalplate.bisurf
Teal = armor_11mm_plate.bisurf
Yellow = plexiplate.bisurf

.bisurf Density[3] Thickness[3] bulletPenetrability[4] bulletPenetrabilityWithThickness[4]
armor_5mm_plate.bisurf 7800 5 200 13
armor_7mm_plate.bisurf 7800 7 200 13
armor_11mm_plate.bisurf 7800 11 200 13
armor_23mm_plate.bisurf 7800 23 200 13
glass_armored.bisurf 2400 N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness 50 N/A; not used by glass_armored.bisurf
iron.bisurf 7800 N/A; based on vehicle fire geometry thickness 20 N/A; not used by iron.bisurf
metalplate.bisurf 7800 2 200 10
plexiplate.bisurf 1180 2 300 150

The L-39ZA's airframe is made out of plain metals, armour plates, and plexiglass:

  • The landing gears are protected by armour plates that have a thickness of 5 millimetres.[rvmat 1][bisurf 1]
  • The L-39ZA's vertical tail, both of its wings, and the pylon hardpoints are protected by armour plates. These plates have a thickness of 7 millimetres.[rvmat 2][bisurf 2]
  • The rear section of the L-39ZA's fuselage (including the engine) is protected by armour plates that have a thickness of 11 millimetres.[rvmat 3][bisurf 3] This also includes the front-left side of the cockpit canopy, which isn't actually made out of glass but is protected by a rectangular-shaped 11 mm armour plate.
  • The frontal half of the fuselage, nose, and cockpit are protected by armour plates that have a thickness of 23 millimetres.[rvmat 4][bisurf 4]
  • The semi-circular air intakes are made out of iron.[rvmat 5][bisurf 5]
  • The GSh-23L autocannons and base of the vertical tail are made out of plates of plain metal. These metal plates have a thickness of 2 millimetres.[rvmat 6][bisurf 6]
  • The cockpit's canopy is mostly made out of panes of (non-bullet resistant) plexiglass that have a thickness of 2 millimetres.[rvmat 7][bisurf 7] Only the front-right section of the canopy is specifically protected by a pane of bullet-resistant glass.[rvmat 8][bisurf 8]

It should be noted that the cockpit canopy is not fully bullet-resistant. Only the front right section of the canopy window is actually bullet-resistant and is capable of blocking small arms fire from calibres up to and including 7.62 mm (12.7 mm/.50 cal bullets can still penetrate these windows). The other cockpit windows (side/top) cannot block bullet projectiles at all as they are not made out of bullet-resistant glass.

Armament[]

The pilot has exclusive control over all weapon systems on the L-39ZA:

GSh-23L[]

Arma2-vehicleweapons-l39za-gsh23l
Ammo parameter Value
Base damage value 55[CfgAm 1]
Splash damage value 10[CfgAm 2]
Damage type Armour-Piercing + High-Explosive
Aerodynamic friction -0.000824[CfgAm 3]
Muzzle velocity (m/s) 830[CfgMa 1]
Expected velocity (m/s) 900
[CfgAm 4][note 1]
Deflection angle (degrees) 10°[CfgAm 5]

23 mm autocannon. Fires armour-piercing high-explosive (APHE) shells.

It can attain a fire rate of up to 3,200 rounds per minute[CfgWp 1][Formula 2] and has a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s.[CfgMa 1] Accuracy-wise, it has a dispersion spread of 0.0006 rad.[CfgWp 2]

The shells have a blast radius of only 0.5 metres.[CfgAm 6] Every second shell fired will emit a visible green tracer.[CfgMa 2]

S-5[]

Arma2-vehicleweapons-l39za-s5
Parameter Value
Base damage value 150[CfgAm 7]
Splash damage value 40[CfgAm 8]
Warhead type High-Explosive
Blast radius (metres) 12[CfgAm 9]
Launch velocity (m/s) 1[CfgMa 3]
Maximum speed (m/s) 490[CfgAm 10]

Air-to-ground rocket pods. Fires unguided 57 mm rockets fitted with high-explosive (HE) warheads.

The pods have a firing delay of 0.08 seconds between launches[CfgWp 3] (~ 750 RPM[Formula 3]) and always fires S-5KO rockets in pairs.[CfgWp 4] The S-5KO rockets are fired with an initial velocity of only 1 m/s[CfgMa 3] but need just 1.1 seconds[CfgAm 11] of flight time to attain a top speed of 490 m/s.[CfgAm 10] The warheads have a blast radius of 12 metres.[CfgAm 9]

Avionics[]

MAWS[]

The L-39ZA is fitted with a Missile Approach Warning System. The MAWS will automatically warn the pilot if a guided projectile has successfully locked onto the jet and is inbound towards it.[CfgVh 9]

RWR[]

The L-39ZA possesses a Radar Warning Receiver. It will alert the pilot if the jet is being locked onto by radar-based targeting system.[CfgVh 10]

IWR[]

The L-39ZA is not equipped with an Infrared Warning Receiver. The pilot will not be warned if an infrared-based targeting system is attempting to acquire a lock onto the jet.[CfgVh 10]

LWR[]

The L-39ZA has a Laser Warning Receiver installed. It will warn the pilot if they are being locked onto by a laser-based targeting system.[CfgVh 10]

AI[]

NOTE: The following information only applies to the AI.

Camouflage rating[]

Main article: AI Basics: Detection

The L-39ZA has a camouflage[5] rating of 100.[CfgVh 11]

Cost[]

Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority

The L-39ZA has a cost[6] value of 2000000.[CfgVh 12]

Threat values[]

Main article: AI Basics: Targeting priority

The L-39ZA is considered to be an extremely dangerous threat[7] to AI-controlled ground vehicles (1).[CfgVh 13] The AI will always prioritise attacking the L-39ZA if they have the means to do so.

On the other hand, infantry and other aircraft only consider the L-39ZA to be a high-risk threat (0.7/0.8).[CfgVh 13]

Noise factor[]

Main article: AI Basics: Detection

The L-39ZA has an audible[8] factor of 20.[CfgVh 14]

Trivia[]

  • At Operation Arrowhead's launch, the L-39ZA's flight envelope and landing speed were configured to the wrong settings, resulting in the L-39ZA stalling even on the slightest of hard turns and landing off-course when autopilot was enabled. Both issues were corrected after the release of Patch 1.55.[9]
  • Prior to the latest Steam version patches (as part of CorePatch's changes), the L-39ZA did not have flare/chaff countermeasures and lacked defensive avionics. CorePatch subsequently changed this by granting the L-39ZA access to defensive countermeasures whilst also enabling its MAWS, LWR, and RWR.[10]
  • Oddly enough, the L-39ZA's cockpit uses a tandem seating arrangement like its real-world counterpart but cannot actually carry a co-pilot in-game.
    • Given that the canopy for both positions will open and close whenever the aircraft is entered/exited, it's not known whether this was intended by design or is simply an oversight.

Gallery[]

Config/script references[]

CfgAmmo

  1. ↑ CfgAmmo >> B_23mm_APHE >> hit
  2. ↑ CfgAmmo >> B_23mm_APHE >> indirectHit
  3. ↑ CfgAmmo >> B_23mm_APHE >> airFriction
  4. ↑ CfgAmmo >> B_23mm_APHE >> typicalSpeed
  5. ↑ CfgAmmo >> B_23mm_APHE >> deflecting
  6. ↑ CfgAmmo >> B_23mm_APHE >> indirectHitRange
  7. ↑ CfgAmmo >> R_57mm_HE >> hit
  8. ↑ CfgAmmo >> R_57mm_HE >> indirectHit
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 CfgAmmo >> R_57mm_HE >> indirectHitRange
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 CfgAmmo >> R_57mm_HE >> maxSpeed
  11. ↑ CfgAmmo >> R_57mm_HE >> thrustTime

CfgMagazines

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 CfgMagazines >> 150Rnd_23mm_GSh23L >> initSpeed
  2. ↑ CfgMagazines >> 150Rnd_23mm_GSh23L >> tracersEvery
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 CfgMagazines >> 64Rnd_57mm >> initSpeed

CfgWeapons

  1. ↑ CfgWeapons >> GSh23L_L39 >> manual >> reloadTime
  2. ↑ CfgWeapons >> GSh23L_L39 >> manual >> dispersion
  3. ↑ CfgWeapons >> 57mmLauncher >> Burst >> reloadTime
  4. ↑ CfgWeapons >> 57mmLauncher >> burst

CfgVehicles

  1. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> transportMaxWeapons
  2. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> transportMaxMagazines
  3. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> fuelCapacity
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> weapons[] >> {"GSh23L_L39", "57mmLauncher", "CMFlareLauncher"}
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> magazines[] >> {"150Rnd_23mm_GSh23L", "64Rnd_57mm", "120Rnd_CMFlare_Chaff_Magazine"}
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> armor
  7. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> HitPoints >> HitHull >> armor
  8. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> HitPoints >> HitHull >> passThrough
  9. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> incommingMisslieDetectionSystem >> "16"
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> lockDetectionSystem >> "4 + 8"
  11. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> camouflage
  12. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> cost
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> threat[] >> {0.7,1,0.8}
  14. ↑ CfgVehicles >> L39_base >> audible

.bisurf

  1. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_5mm_plate.bisurf
  2. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_7mm_plate.bisurf
  3. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_11mm_plate.bisurf
  4. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_23mm_plate.bisurf
  5. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\iron.bisurf
  6. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\metalplate.bisurf
  7. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\plexiplate.bisurf
  8. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\glass_armored.bisurf

.rvmat

  1. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_5mm_plate.rvmat
  2. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_7mm_plate.rvmat
  3. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_11mm_plate.rvmat
  4. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\armor_23mm_plate.rvmat
  5. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\iron.rvmat
  6. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\metalplate.rvmat
  7. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\plexiplate.rvmat
  8. ↑ \ca\data\penetration\glass_armored.rvmat

Formulae

  1. ↑ Base vehicle armor value * HitPoint armor value = 60 * 1
  2. ↑ 60 / reloadTime = 60 / 0.01875
  3. ↑ 60 / reloadTime = 60 / 0.08

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Damage will be reduced if the projectile's velocity drops below this value.

References[]

  1. ↑ Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, Fixed wing aircraft, Arma 2, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-oa-vehicles/a-2-oa-fixed-wing-aircraft>.
  2. ↑ Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2012, Vehicles, Arma 2, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-acr-vehicles/vehicles>.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Španěl, M et al. 2007, RVMAT – ArmA: Armed Assault, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 27 August 2025, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Armed_Assault:_RVMAT#Surface_physical_properties>.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Foltyn, D et al. 2009, Bullet penetrability, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 27 August 2025, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Bullet_penetrability>.
  5. ↑ Španěl, O, van 't Land, J.J. et al. 2006, CfgVehicles Config Reference, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/CfgVehicles_Config_Reference#camouflage>.
  6. ↑ Španěl, O, van 't Land, J.J. et al. 2006, CfgVehicles Config Reference, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/CfgVehicles_Config_Reference#cost>.
  7. ↑ Španěl, O, van 't Land, J.J. et al. 2006, CfgVehicles Config Reference, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/CfgVehicles_Config_Reference#threat>.
  8. ↑ Španěl, O, van 't Land, J.J. et al. 2006, CfgVehicles Config Reference, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/CfgVehicles_Config_Reference#audible>.
  9. ↑ HitmanFF_biwiki et al. 2011, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead: Version History, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 16 October 2019, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_2:_Operation_Arrowhead:_Version_History#Version_1.55>.
  10. ↑ Mazzon, M et al. 2019, CorePatch, GitHub, viewed 26 August 2025, <https://github.com/Goliath86/CorePatch/blob/master/Changelog.txt>.

External links[]

See also[]

Variants[]

Aircraft of comparable role and configuration[]

Vehicles of ArmA 2
Wheeled 9P117 SCUD-B • ATV • BRDM-2* • BTR-40 • BTR-60 • BTR-90 • BM-21 Grad* • Bus* • Car • Dingo 2 CZ • Hatchback • HMMWV* • GAZ • Jackal 2 MWMIK • Kamaz • Lada* • LAV-25 • Military Offroad • Motorcycle* (Old moto) • Mountain bike (Old bike) • MTVR* • Offroad* • Pandur II 8x8 CZ • Pickup* • RM-70 • S1203 • Sedan • Stryker (MGS) • SUV (Armored SUV) • T810 • Tractor • Touring Car • Towing Tractor • UAZ-469* • Ural* • V3S* • Vodnik
Tracked 2S6M Tunguska • AAVP-7A1 • BMP-2 • BMP-3 • BVP-1 • FV510 Warrior • M1A1 Abrams* (M1A2 TUSK*) • M113 • M2A3 Bradley (M2A2, M6) • M270 MLRS* • T-34* • T-55 • T-72* (T-72M4 CZ) • T-90 • ZSU-23-4*
Rotor-wing AH-1Z Viper • AH-6J Little Bird (AH-6X) • AH-11 Wildcat • AH-64D Apache Longbow* (AH-1) • CH-47F Chinook (Chinook HC4) • Ka-52 • Ka-60 • Ka-137 • Merlin HC3 • MH-6J Little Bird • Mi-8MTV-3* (Mi-17*) • Mi-24P (Mi-24D*, Mi-24V*) • UH-1Y Venom (UH-1H) • UH-60M Black Hawk (MEV, MH-60S)
Fixed-wing A-10 Thunderbolt II* • An-2 • AV-8B Harrier • C-130J Hercules* • F-35B Lightning II • L-159 ALCA • L-39ZA (L-39C) • MQ-9 Reaper* • MV-22 Osprey • Pchela-1T • Su-39 (Su-25*) • Su-34
Aquatic CRRC • Fishing Boat • PBX • RHIB • Small Boat
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
* indicates partial DLC dependency.
Operation Arrowhead | British Armed Forces | Private Military Company | Army of the Czech Republic
Arma2-factionicon-acr ACR - Vehicles (ArmA 2)
Wheeled ATV • BRDM-2 • Dingo 2 CZ • HMMWV GPK • Military Offroad • Pandur II 8x8 CZ • RM-70 • T810 • UAZ-469
Tracked BMP-2 • T-72M4 CZ
Rotor-wing Mi-171Sh • Mi-24V
Fixed-wing L-159 ALCA • L-39C • L-39ZA
Aquatic PBX
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Operation Arrowhead | Army of the Czech Republic
Arma2-factionicon-takistaniarmy Takistani Army - Vehicles (ArmA 2)
Wheeled 9P117 SCUD-B • BM-21 Grad • BTR-60 • BRDM-2 (ATGM, HQ) • Military Offroad (M2, SPG-9) • Motorcycle • SUV • UAZ-469 (AGS-30, DShKM) • Ural (Ammunition, Fuel, Repair, Salvage, Supply, ZU-23) • V3S (Open)
Tracked BMP-2 (Ambulance, HQ) • BVP-1 • M113 (Ambulance) • T-34 • T-55 • T-72 • ZSU-23-4
Rotor-wing Mi-8 • Mi-24D • UH-1H
Fixed-wing An-2 • L-39ZA • Su-25
(Parenthesis) denote variants.
Operation Arrowhead | Army of the Czech Republic
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.