Prague, Czech Republic — Aero Vodochody and Thales Belgium have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop the L-39 Skyfox “Drone Hunter” for counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) missions. The agreement covers the continued integration and live testing of Thales’ 70 mm laser-guided rocket system.
The Drone Hunter was publicly presented at NATO Days 2026 in Ostrava on September 19. It modifies the L-39 Skyfox, previously known as the L-39NG, from a next-generation jet trainer and light combat aircraft into a dedicated counter-UAS interceptor. The concept is intended to provide a lower-cost airborne option against attack drones and certain cruise-missile threats.
Lower-Cost Air Defence Option
The concept addresses the cost imbalance between expensive fighter aircraft or surface-to-air missiles and relatively inexpensive attack drones, including Shahed-type systems. Published figures put the Skyfox procurement cost below $10 million. The aircraft has been described with a range of about 1,400 nautical miles and endurance of up to 4.5 hours, supporting persistent air-patrol and interception missions.
Sensors and Weapons
The two-seat, subsonic Skyfox is powered by a Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan producing nearly 3,800 pounds of thrust. It features a modern glass cockpit and Genesys Aerosystems avionics.
For the Drone Hunter mission, the aircraft carries a SiNAB Phoenix 10 electro-optical/targeting pod or a compatible SCAR pod for detecting, tracking and laser-designating aerial targets.
Its primary weapon is the Thales FZ275 LGR 70 mm laser-guided rocket. The weapon has a reported engagement range of up to 8 km, while Thales documentation for the FZ275 lists a range of 1.5 to 7 km.
The aircraft displayed at NATO Days carried two LAU-32 rocket pods with a total of 14 rockets. Its five hardpoints can accommodate up to four pods, allowing a maximum of 28 rockets. The Skyfox can also carry 12.7 mm or 20 mm cannon pods for close-range engagements.
Target and Crew Profile
The Drone Hunter is designed to engage aerial targets travelling at approximately 150–600 km/h and at altitudes of up to 8,000 metres. The intended targets include relatively slow propeller-driven attack drones, Shahed-type UAVs and faster jet-powered drones.
The two-person crew divides the mission workload. The pilot concentrates on flying and positioning the aircraft for interception, while the weapons systems operator in the rear seat operates the targeting pod, tracks the target and conducts the engagement.
The configuration is modular, allowing training-configured Skyfox aircraft to receive the required mission equipment with limited modification and later return to the training role. Aero Vodochody has indicated that a conversion kit was planned to be ready for operational use by the end of 2026.
Skyfox aircraft have already been delivered to Vietnam, Hungary and Czech state-owned company LOM Praha. In June 2026, Aero Vodochody announced additional orders from Angola and a civil customer in North America. As of October 5, 2026, no customer had been publicly announced specifically for the Drone Hunter configuration.
The latest MoU builds on earlier work combining the Skyfox with electro-optical pods and 70 mm guided rockets, including armed configurations displayed at events such as the Dubai Airshow. Thales has also developed the LGR275 Proxy variant with a proximity fuse intended for use against small drones.
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