The domain of aerial combat is not solely dominated by heavyweight, fifth-generation jets. A crucial and versatile category belongs to the Best Lightweight Fighter Aircraft, often overlapping with light attack and advanced trainer roles. These nimble machines offer a cost-effective solution for various missions, from homeland defense and reconnaissance to close air support and pilot training. They combine agility, advanced avionics, and significant ordnance capacity, making them indispensable assets for air forces globally. This overview explores ten of the top contenders in the light combat aircraft sphere, highlighting their capabilities and specifications.
KAI TA-50 Golden Eagle
KAI TA-50 light attack aircraft in flight, based on the T-50 trainer.
The TA-50, derived from the T-50 supersonic advanced trainer, serves as a light attack aircraft and lead-in fighter trainer. Developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin, it entered service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in 2011. It boasts a weapon payload capacity of up to 3,850kg, featuring a General Dynamics A-50 rotary cannon, AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, rocket launchers, cluster bombs, and general-purpose bombs. Powered by a General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine, the TA-50 can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 (1,852km/h) and has a maximum range of 1,850km.
Textron AirLand Scorpion
The Textron AirLand Scorpion functions as a light attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. Developed by a joint venture between Textron and AirLand Enterprises, its maiden flight occurred in December 2013. The Scorpion features a maximum payload capacity of 4,173kg. Its six wing-mounted hardpoints can carry up to 2,810kg of ordnance, including guns, rockets, laser-guided missiles, infrared air-to-air missiles, and various guided and unguided munitions. Twin Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines, each providing 18kN of thrust, power the aircraft, enabling a maximum speed of 833km/h and an impressive range of 4,074km.
HAL Tejas
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy, the Tejas is a multi-role light combat aircraft (LCA). It officially entered service with the IAF in July 2016. This supersonic jet possesses eight hardpoints capable of carrying a maximum payload of 3,500kg. Its armament includes a 23mm twin-barrel cannon, air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles, precision-guided munitions, rockets, and bombs. A General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine, generating up to 90kN of thrust with afterburner, allows the Tejas to reach speeds of Mach 1.6 (1,975km/h) and achieve a maximum range of 3,000km.
Leonardo M-346FA
The M-346FA (Fighter Attack) is the light combat variant of Leonardo’s M-346 advanced jet trainer. Unveiled at the 2017 Paris Air Show, it is marketed as a light attack aircraft that retains advanced training capabilities. The M-346FA features seven hardpoints for carrying up to 3,000kg of ordnance, including guided and unguided air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, as well as gun, reconnaissance, and target acquisition pods. Its propulsion system consists of two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, each rated at 28kN thrust, giving the aircraft a maximum speed of 1,075km/h.
Hongdu L-15 Falcon
Manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG), the L-15 serves as an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), entering service in 2010. The aircraft is equipped with six wing-mounted hardpoints capable of carrying a 3,000kg payload. Armament options include short-range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, rocket pods, and bombs. It is powered by two Ivchenko Progress AI-222K-25F afterburning turbofan engines, enabling a maximum speed of Mach 1.4 (1,715km/h) and a ferry range of 3,100km.
Aero L-159 ALCA
The L-159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) is a single-seat subsonic attack aircraft from Czech manufacturer AERO Vodochody. Following its maiden flight in August 1997, it entered service with the Czech Air Force in 2000. Designed primarily for light attack, reconnaissance, air defence, counter-insurgency, and patrol missions, a twin-seat version exists for advanced training. The L-159 has six under-wing hardpoints for bombs, rocket launchers, and air-to-ground/air-to-air guided missiles, with a payload capacity of 2,340kg. Powered by a Honeywell F124-GA-100 turbofan engine, it has a maximum cruise speed of 936km/h and an operational range of 2,530km with external fuel tanks.
Yakovlev Yak-130
The Yakovlev Yak-130, offered by Irkut Corporation, is a twin-seat advanced jet trainer with light combat capabilities. This subsonic aircraft entered service with the Russian Air Force in February 2010. While primarily used for advanced flight training, it can also perform light-attack and reconnaissance missions. It features nine external hardpoints with a total payload capacity of 3,000kg, capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, smart bombs, aerial bombs, unguided rockets, and a gun pod. Two Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25 turbofan engines, each producing 24.52kN of thrust, power the Yak-130, allowing a maximum speed of 1,060km/h and a maximum range of 2,100km.
Aero L-39NG
Developed by Aero Vodochody, the L-39NG is a modern trainer and light attack aircraft based on the venerable L-39 Albatros. Designed primarily for the Czech Air Force, it first flew in December 2018. The aircraft is suitable for basic and advanced flight training, light combat, close air support, counter-insurgency, and reconnaissance. It features five external hardpoints capable of carrying 1,640kg of payload, including gun pods, air-to-air missiles, guided/unguided rockets, and bombs. An FJ44-4M turbofan engine with a maximum thrust of 16.87kN provides power, giving the L-39NG a maximum speed of 780km/h and a range of 2,130km on internal fuel.
Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine
The AT-6 Wolverine, offered by Beechcraft (a Textron Aviation brand), is a light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft. This multi-mission platform competed for the US Air Force’s light attack aircraft program. It is equipped with seven hardpoints and can manage a maximum payload of 1,864kg, accommodating over 13 types of general-purpose and precision munitions. A Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engine, delivering 1,177kW, drives a Hartzell four-bladed propeller. This configuration allows the AT-6 to reach a maximum speed of 827km/h, with a ferry range extending to 3,195km when equipped with four external fuel tanks.
Embraer A-29 Super Tucano
Also known as the EMB 314 Super Tucano, the A-29 is a turboprop light attack aircraft developed by Embraer. As a successor to the EMB 312 Tucano trainer, it serves numerous air forces worldwide, including those of Brazil, Colombia, Afghanistan, Chile, Ecuador, and Indonesia. The A-29 Super Tucano can carry up to 1,550kg of ordnance across its hardpoints, including gun pods, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, precision-guided munitions, and bombs. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop engine connected to a Hartzell five-bladed propeller. This engine enables a maximum speed of 593km/h, and with external fuel tanks, the aircraft achieves a maximum range of 3,056km.
Conclusion
The aircraft highlighted represent some of the Best Lightweight Fighter Aircraft and light combat platforms available today. They showcase a diverse range of designs, from supersonic jet trainers adapted for attack roles like the KAI TA-50 and HAL Tejas, to dedicated subsonic attack jets like the L-159 ALCA, and robust turboprops such as the AT-6 Wolverine and A-29 Super Tucano. Each platform offers a unique balance of performance, payload capacity, and operational cost, filling critical niches in modern air forces by providing versatile capabilities beyond what heavier, more expensive fighters typically handle. Their continued development and adoption underscore the enduring importance of effective and adaptable light combat aircraft in contemporary military strategy.
