Zephyr Net

The 10001 prototype of JL-10/L-15 advanced jet trainer was taking off from Hongdu airfield on July 1, 2013. Developed by Hongdu and with the technical assistance from Yakovlev OKB, JL-10 (initially known as L-15) is expected to support the new generation of Chinese fighters such as J-10 and J-11. Two variants are being developed initially. One is advanced jet trainer (AJT), powered by two Ukraine AI-222-25 turbofan engines. The other is lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT), powered by two AI-222-25F with afterburner which give L-15 a supersonic capability. Advanced features such as glass cockpit, HOTAS control and 3-axis quadruplex digital FBW are expected to be standard. In addition, large leading edge root extensions (LERX) similar to those on Yak-130 as well as a large vertical tailfin are expected to give the aircraft a high AOA (>30°), which will be useful in simulating certain high-AOA maneuvers of J-10 and J-11. The aircraft will also feature 4 underwing plus 2 wingtip pylons for a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. A small PD radar (SY-80A?) can be fitted based on the requirement from the customer. Therefore L-15 can also be converted into a light ground attack role if needed. Some specifications of L-15: normal TO weight 6,500kg, max TO weight 9,500kg, max speed 1.4 Mach, max climb rate 150m/s, g-load +8/-3, ceiling 16,000m, loitering time 2 hr, structural life 10,000 hr. The revealing of L-15 in its early design stage demonstrated Hongdu's intention to compete with Guizhou's JL-9 (see above). The first prototype of L-15 (AJT version) rolled out of the assembly line on September 29, 2005. The first flight was expected by the end of 2005 but was postponed to early 2006 due to the problems of AI-222-25 engine. The 01 prototype first flew on March 13, 2006, powered by DV-2 turbofan without afterburner. The 03 AJT prototype first flew on May 10, 2008, powered by AI-222-25 turbofan without the afterburner. The 05 AJT prototype first flew on June 8, 2009. However the development of the LIFT version suffered from the slow progress of afterburner-equipped AI-222K-25F. The 06 LIFT prototype finally took off on October 26, 2010. It features a stretched nose which could house a fire-control radar, improved glass cockpit with three MFDs, and two AI-222K-25F turbofan engines capable of supersonic flight. Both 03 and 05 prototypes have been undergoing tests at CFTE (S/N 432 & 433). In November 2012 it was first rumored that the prototype of a domestic version called JL-10 was being built, probably converted from a L-15 prototype. Several foreign countries have expressed serious interest in acquiring L-15. It was reported at the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow that 12 L-15s were ordered by an unspecified customer in Africa (Zambia?). The first aircraft took off on Jun 29, 2013. First delivery is expected by the end 2013. JL-10/L-15 is expected to be powered eventually by the domestic Minshan turbofan engine (max thrust 4,700kg with A/B). A recent image (February 2013) indicated that one prototype (01?) has been converted into a UCAV technology demonstrator with the aft cockpit loaded with remote control and monitoring equipment. A large fairing containing a datalink antenna (?) was also installed underneath the forward fuselage. This technology is expected to have been applied to the Sharp Sword UCAV project currently undergoing at Hongdu. The latest news (June 2013) indicated that JL-10 AJT version passed design certification and is expected to enter the service with PLAAF later this year.