Trainer L-15
Hongdu L-15 is a twin engine, modern jet trainer or light attack aircraft designed and manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) of China. It has been built as a rival to Guizhou JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle. The L-15 will be used as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). About five prototypes have been built by HAIG.
Orders
PLAAF ordered four Hongdu L-15 trainer aircraft in April 2006. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is planning to procure Hongdu L-15 supersonic jet trainers from HAIG to replace its existing K-8 Karakorum jet trainer. The procurement will allow PAF to reduce its trainer aircraft from four to two. PAF has examined the L-15 in February 2010 and is currently negotiating on technical aspects and pricing.
Design
HAIG unveiled the L-15 aircraft design in September 2001 during the 9th Aviation exhibition in Beijing. The large leading edge extensions (LEX) design allows the aircraft to offer a maximum angle of attack of 30°. The aircraft can also be changed into light air-to-ground attack aircraft with minor modifications.
The aircraft has been designed to train pilots of the third-generation fighters encompassing Su-27, Su-30, J-10, and J-11. The enhanced design provides safety to the pilot while cutting down the training cost compared to its rivals.
HAIG L-15 development
The development of Hongdu L-15 began when Hongdu planned a modern trainer aircraft which would meet the requirements of PLAAF's new generation fighters. Russian based Yakovlev Design Bureau aided in the L-15 manufacturing as its design resembles that of the Yak-130 aircraft.
The initial prototype was rolled out in September 2005 and took its maiden flight in March 2006. The second prototype completed its first flight in May 2008. The first and second prototypes are powered by two ZMKB-Progress (Lotarev) DV-2 engines. An improved version, the DV-2F, which boasts of afterburner capabilities, was fitted in the third model. Ukraine's Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F turbofan engines with afterburner are incorporated in the later L-15 versions.
The first operational variant powered by Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F turbofan engines was introduced in August 2010 upon completion of six months production.
Cockpit
The Hongdu L-15 features a full glass cockpit which can accommodate two crew members, either a student pilot and instructor, or an official pilot and weapons systems officer. A multi-colour head down display is fitted on both front and rear cockpit, while the head up display is installed at the cockpit front. Digital fly by wire (FBW), and hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) flight control systems are also installed in the aircraft.
Armaments
The Hongdu L-15 comprises six hard points of which four are located under the two wings and two under the wing-tips. It can accommodate 3,000kg of payload. The aircraft can carry short range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, bombs and rocket pods.
Engines
The aircraft is powered by two Ivchenko Progress AI-222K-25F afterburning turbofan engines. Each engine can generate 4,200kg of thrust afterburner.
The aircraft is also integrated with full authority digital engine control (FADEC), which decreases the work load of the pilot by executing autopilot operations.
Characteristics:
Role Supersonic trainer or fighter aircraft
Crew Two
Country China
Maiden Flight March 2006
Introduced 2008/2010
Numbers Built Five
Dimensions:
Length 12.27m
Wingspan 9.48m
Height 4.81m
Weights:
Empty Weight 4,960kg
Maximum Take-off Weight 9,500kg
Engines:
Type Ivchenko Progress AI-222K-25F afterburning turbofan engine
Number of Engines Two
Thrust Afterburner 4,200kg
Performance:
Maximum SpeedMach 1.4 (1,715km/h)
Range3,100km
Combat Radius550km
Service Ceiling16,000m
Rate of Climb150m/s
EnduranceTwo hours
Key Players:ManufacturerHongdu Aviation Industry Corporation
Operators: China PLAAF/PLANAF, Venezuela Air Force and Pakistan Air Force