In the 1980s, Aero Vodochody began work on a substantially improved version of the L-39 under the designation "L-39M", where the "M" stood for "Modernised". This particular design was never built, as the organization decided to move a step further beyond it with the
"L-39MS", where "MS" unsurprisingly stood for "Modernized Super".

The L-39MS (renamed the L59 during production) was introduced with the name of "Super Albatros".The Super Albatros is derived from
the L-39ZA and looks much like it, but features:

• A strengthened fuselage with a slightly longer nose.
• A ZMK DV-2 turbofan engine with 21.6 kN (2,200 kgp / 4,850 lbf) thrust, allowing to carry a full combat load.
• New cockpit instrumentation, updating the earlier all-analog cockpit layout with a modernized layout featuring a single multifunction display (MFD) and a head-up display (HUD).
• VS-2 "zero-zero" ejection seats.
• A new single-piece "clamshell" type canopy.
• Larger wingtip tanks (230 liter).

   AERO VODOCHODY SUPER ALBATROS:

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   spec                 metric             english
   __________________   _________________  ______________________
   wingspan              9.54 meters          31 feet 4 inches
   wing area            18.80 sq_meters       202.37 sq_feet
   length               12.20 meters           40 feet
   height                4.77 meters         15 feet 8 inches

   empty weight         4,030 kilograms        8,890 pounds
   loaded weight        7,000 kilograms       15,435 pounds

   maximum load factor (max. load factor): +8/-4 g

   internal fuel        1495 liter               395 gal.
   external fuel 
      with 2 drop tanks    700 liter             185 gal. 
      with 4 drop tanks   1400 liter             370 gal.               

  range, 2 drop tanks    1,570 kilometers      975 MI / 850 nm
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