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Chinese supersonic advanced training and light combat aircraft From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hongdu JL-10, also initially known as Hongdu L-15 Falcon,[3] is a supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC).[4][5] It is used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT).[6]
| JL-10 | |
|---|---|
| |
| General information | |
| Type | Advanced jet trainer Light combat aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation |
| Primary users | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 2013[1] |
| First flight | March 13, 2006[2] |
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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.[7] The L-15 would compete with the Guizhou JL-9 developed in parallel by China Aviation Industry Corporation I.[8] The prototype was completed in September 2005[9] and first flew on March 13, 2006.[2] The initial variants were a subsonic advanced jet trainer and a supersonic advanced fighter trainer.[2]
Development of the L-15B, a supersonic variant for LIFT, was announced in 2010.[4] It first flew on December 21, 2017.[10]
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.[11]
Zambia ordered 6 advanced fighter trainers as the L-15Z[2] in 2014 for US$100 million;[12] they were delivered in 2016[2] and 2017.[10]
The first L-15 in PLAAF colors was seen in 2016.[13] The PLA used a few L-15s for flight-test evaluation before 2018.[10] The People's Liberation Army Navy received 12 L-15s in August 2018.[14] 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.[6]
On 23 February 2022, the United Arab Emirates announced its intention to buy 12 L-15s, with an option for 36 more.[15][16] 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.[17]
The L-15 uses fly-by-wire (FBW) and a glass cockpit.[6]
The prototypes were powered by Lotarev DV-2 turbofans.[2]
The L-15A subsonic advanced jet trainer is powered by the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25[2] and has seven weapon hardpoints.[10] The supersonic advanced fighter trainer variant is powered by the afterburning AI-222K-25.[2] According to a Ukrainian source, 25% of the aircraft is composed of composite materials and its service life is 10,000 hours.[18]
The L-15B light attack aircraft is powered by the AI-222K-25F[13] for a maximum speed of Mach 1.4.[4] Compared to the L-15A, the L-15B has shorter take-off and landing distances and two more hardpoints.[5]
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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