Hongdu L-15

L-15
Role Supersonic trainer/attack
Manufacturer Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation
First flight 13 March 2006
Introduction Between 2008 and 2010
Status In limited service
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
Number built 24[1] (at least 3 prototypes)
Unit cost
¥ 100 million, $US 14.6 million (2008 price)
An early variant of the L-15
L-15 during a handover ceremony

The Hongdu L-15 Falcon (猎鹰) is a Chinese supersonic training and light attack aircraft being developed by Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIG) to meet the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) requirements.

Design and development

The L-15 is an advanced trainer aircraft currently under development by Nanchang based Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. The aircraft made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. The aircraft's general designer is Mr. Zhang Hong (张弘), and the development is reportedly assisted by Yakovlev OKB of Russia. The L-15 is a direct rival to the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle in competition for the People's Liberation Army Air Force's (PLAAF) next-generation advanced trainer aircraft program.

HAIG unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its L-15 advanced lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) in the 2004 Zhuhai Airshow. The two-seat, two-engine L-15 featured the latest advanced technologies developed by China, such as the digital quadruple fly-by-wire (FBW), glass cockpit (two multi-color head down displays for both the front and rear cockpit, and an additional head-up display for the front cockpit) and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) flight control. The look-down field of view for the frontal cockpit is 18°, and 6° for the rear cockpit, exceeding the US requirement. The aerodynamic performance of the aircraft is enhanced by its large leading edge extensions (LEX) design, which gives a maximum angle of attack of 30°. This is very useful when trying to simulate the maneuvers of advanced fourth-generation fighters such as J-10, JF-17 and J-11. JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle trainer jet from Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) is a direct competitor of the L-15. L-15 has a wide range of more advanced features comparing JL-9, however JL-9's development and production would not rely on key components that can only be imported from foreign suppliers, which is a key benefit comparing L-15 heavily relies on AI-222 series turbofan engine from Ukraine.[2]

With the L-15, student pilots will be able to complete mission flight training and advanced combat training, as well as complete all basic jet flight training courses. The aircraft also has six (four under-wing and two wingtip) pylons to carry various air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. If necessary, it can serve in the lightweight attack role with minor modifications, carrying up to 3 tons of armament.

Each of the first two units (#01 & #02) are powered by two Ivchenko-Progress DV-2 engines, which do not have afterburners, and these two aircraft thus do not have the capability to reach supersonic speed. The third unit (#03) is powered by a pair of an improved version of DV-2, the DV-2F, with afterburner, so that it can and has already reached supersonic speed. The subsequent production units are expected to be powered by Ukraine's Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F turbofan engines with afterburner once co-production license is obtained by the 608 Institute. Ukraine company also developed a greater thrust of AI-222-28F (thrust 4500 kg) and AI-222-30F (5000 kg thrust) engine. The latter two may be introduced for the equipment and load up more L-15, of course, they may also be used to equip other aircraft in China.[3]

In June 2013，the AJT condition of L-15 finalized the design and would be operated by PLAAF with a formal name JL-10.[4] On July 1, 2013, the first batch of JL-10 began to be transferred to PLAAF.[5]

Variants

  • L-15
    • JL-10: The designation in People's Liberation Army Air Force service.[6]
    • L-15Z: The designation in Zambian Air Force.[7]
  • L-15B: Variant with afterburning engines.[8]

Operators

 People's Republic of China
  • People's Liberation Army Air Force (First batch of L-15 is commissioned in a training center of PLAAF in Eastern China, quantity is uncertain based from public information)

In November 2012, an order for twelve L-15s by an unknown customer was announced, due to be delivered in 2013.[9] This batch of L-15 began to be handed over to the customer on June 29, 2013.[10]

In August 2018, according to the photos in the article, at least twelve L-15 have been deliveried to Navy Aviation university.[11]

 Zambia
  • Zambian Air Force - It was reported in 2014 that Zambia had ordered 6 L-15s for US$100 million[12] and deliveries have completed in 2017.[13]

Potential customers

 Pakistan
  • Pakistan[14] are interested in acquiring this aircraft to train its fighter pilots.
 Ukraine
 Uruguay
  • Uruguayan Air Force is interested in acquiring eight L-15s. A team of officers was sent to China in August 2016 to evaluate the aircraft.[16] The invitation was coordinated for October 2011 in an invitation extended by CATIC to the FAU command to form a committee including Air Marshall W. Martínez and staff.[17]

Specifications

Data from Military-Today[18] L-15

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. ↑ https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1119
  2. ↑ "L15 and JL9 trainer jet competition, China PLAAF". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 2011-11-28. Retrieved 29 Aug 2011.
  3. ↑ AirFoeceWorld.com L15 advanced trainer engine options
  4. ↑ http://www.cjdby.net/junbeidongtai/2013-06-12/military-4229.html
  5. ↑ http://www.cjdby.net/junbeidongtai/2013-07-01/military-4448.html
  6. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/chinese-air-force-training-fighters-JL10/
  7. ↑ https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-09-16/chinas-l-15-jet-displayed-zambia-south-africa
  8. ↑ https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airshow-china-avic-advanced-trainers-in-the-spotli-430985/
  9. ↑ "L-15s Sold". Air International. Vol. 84 no. 1. January 2013. p. 15.
  10. ↑ http://www.cjdby.net/junbeidongtai/2013-06-29/military-4426.html
  11. ↑ "海军航空大学已装备教练10，飞上航母培养舰载机飞行员指日可待". www.sohu.com. 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  12. ↑ Fisher, Richard D., Jr. (30 December 2015). "Zambia to receive first Hongdu L-15 trainer". Jane's Defence Weekly. Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. 53 (8). ISSN 0265-3818.
  13. ↑ https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-03-07/uruguay-interested-chinese-l-15-trainer
  14. ↑ Pakistan Eyes Acquisition of Chinese L-15 Supersonic Jet Trainer
  15. ↑ Janes
  16. ↑ https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-03-07/uruguay-interested-chinese-l-15-trainer
  17. ↑ http://www.infodefensa.com/?noticia=catic-invita-a-una-delegacion-de-la-fuerza-aerea-uruguaya-a-china-para-evaluar-aviones-de-combate
  18. ↑ Hongdu L-15 Specification & Performance, Military-Today.
  19. ↑ http://s12.postimg.org/5c5uprs99/20141212032332_74953.jpg
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