Hongdu JL-10 explained

The Hongdu JL-10, also initially known as Hongdu L-15 Falcon,[1] is a supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC). It is used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT).

Development

China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) was working toward a new advanced trainer for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by 2000; that year AVIC II contracted the Yakovlev Design Bureau from Russia — and designer of the Yak-130 trainer — as a technical and scientific consultant for the L-15 programme.[2] The L-15 would compete with the Guizhou JL-9 developed in parallel by China Aviation Industry Corporation I.[3] The prototype was completed in September 2005[4] and first flew on March 13, 2006. The initial variants were a subsonic advanced jet trainer and a supersonic advanced fighter trainer.

Development of the L-15B, a supersonic variant for LIFT, was announced in 2010. It first flew on December 21, 2017.

The China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) ordered 12 L-15 jet trainers in November 2012; it was not known whether these were for — or would be delivered to — a third-party.[5]

Zambia ordered 6 advanced fighter trainers as the L-15Z in 2014 for ;[6] they were delivered in 2016[7] and 2017.[8]

The first L-15 in PLAAF colors was seen in 2016.[9] The PLA used a few L-15s for flight-test evaluation before 2018.[8] The People's Liberation Army Navy received 12 L-15s in August 2018.[10] The PLAAF began using the JL-10 for LIFT in 2019. Compared to the less sophisticated JL-9, the JL-10 reduces candidate and conversion training time for more recent PLAAF aircraft.[11]

On 23 February 2022, the United Arab Emirates announced its intention to buy 12 L-15s, with an option for 36 more.[12] [13] The value of the deal was not released, the Emirati newspaper The National reported that China sells the L-15 for $10–15 million per unit.[14]

Design

The L-15 uses fly-by-wire (FBW) and a glass cockpit.[11]

The prototypes were powered by Lotarev DV-2 turbofans.[7]

The L-15A subsonic advanced jet trainer is powered by the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25[7] and has seven weapon hardpoints.[8] The supersonic advanced fighter trainer variant is powered by the afterburning AI-222K-25.[7] According to a Ukrainian source, 25% of the aircraft is composed of composite materials and its service life is 10,000 hours.[15]

The L-15B light attack aircraft is powered by the AI-222K-25F[9] for a maximum speed of Mach 1.4. Compared to the L-15A, the L-15B has shorter take-off and landing distances and two more hardpoints.

The L-15A and L-15B use a PESA radar.[8] [7]

Variants

Operators

50+[19]

12[20]

Zambia

6[13]

12-48 (projected)[13]

Ethiopia[21]

Specifications (L-15B)

https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/hongdu-l-15b-combat-trainer/

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 猎鹰L15高级教练机 . Hongdu Aviation Industry Group . zh . 2022-04-18.
  2. Web site: YAK-130 combat trainer of new century . June 2005 . Yakovlev . 2021-08-03 . 2015-10-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151016145925/http://www.yak.ru/ENG/FIRM/art_switch.php?art=4.
  3. Web site: Zhuhai 2004 - Chinese jet trainer pair square up . Flight Global . 2004-11-08 . 2022-04-18.
  4. Web site: Francis . Leithen . Sobie . Brendan . Hongdu completes L-15 prototype assembly . Flight Global . 2005-09-26 . 2022-04-18.
  5. Hoyle . Craig . CATIC lines up first international L-15 sale after agreeing to buy 12 trainers . . 182 . 5367 . 2012-11-20 . 23.
  6. Fisher. Richard D. Jr.. Zambia to receive first Hongdu L-15 trainer. Jane's Defence Weekly. 53. 8. 30 December 2015. Jane's Information Group. Surrey, UK. 0265-3818.
  7. Web site: Donald . David . China's L-15 Jet Displayed by Zambia In South Africa . Aviation International News . 2016-09-16 . 2022-04-18.
  8. Web site: Uruguay Interested in Chinese L-15 Trainer . Chen . Chuanren . Aviation International News . 2018-03-07.
  9. Web site: Yeo . Mike . China's Air Force Apparently Receives First L-15 Jet Trainer . Aviation International News . 2016-09-01 . 2022-04-18.
  10. Web site: Waldron . Greg . Beijing boosts naval pilot training with L-15 acquisition . Flight Global . 2018-08-15 . 2022-04-18.
  11. Web site: Solen . Derek . Initial Fighter Pilot Training in the PLA Air Force . China Aerospace Studies Institute . United States Air Force Air University . February 2021 . 2022-04-18.
  12. Web site: أحمد النعيمي . زكريا محيي الدين . وزارة الدفاع تنوي شراء 12 طائرة صينية من طراز . The Ministry of Defense intends to buy 12 Chinese L15 aircraft . 2022-02-23 . ar . 2022-02-23 . Emirates News Agency.
  13. Web site: Hoyle . Craig . UAE poised to order up to 48 Chinese L-15 jet trainers . Flight Global . 2022-02-23 . 2022-04-18.
  14. News: UAE's Ministry of Defence to buy L-15 Falcon jets from China.
  15. News: Ukraine conveys first engines for L-15 trainer airplane to China. Kyiv Post.
  16. Web site: Airshow China: AVIC advanced trainers in the spotlight . Greg . Waldron . 1 November 2016 . Flightglobal.com . 21 March 2019.
  17. Web site: Waldron . Greg . AVIC burnishes combat credentials of L-15 family . Flight Global . 7 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107124316/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/avic-burnishes-combat-credentials-of-l-15-family-453348/ . 7 November 2018 . Zhuhai . 6 November 2018 . live.
  18. Web site: China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials . The War Zone . 29 April 2024 . Thomas . Newdick .
  19. Book: The Military Balance 2023 . . 243.
  20. Book: The Military Balance 2021 . . 254.
  21. Web site: Military Watch Magazine . 2022-08-15 . militarywatchmagazine.com.

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