Hongdu L-15

The development of the supersonic combat trainer L-15 was launched in the early 2000s, together with the Russian Yakovlev Design Bureau and the Ukrainian Progress ZMKB . The Russian design bureau provided technical documentation for the Yak-130 aircraft, while the Ukrainian design bureau delivered DV-2 engines for prototype testing. ^[one]

In 2004, the L-15 was first demonstrated at an air show in Zhuhai .

In 2006, a prototype aircraft performed its first flight.

In 2009, Yuriy Yekhanurov , Minister of Defense of Ukraine, announced his intention to establish a joint production of the combat trainer L-15 with Hongdu. ^{[7] [8]}

In 2010, an improved version of the L-15 Lift (Lead in fighter training), which made its first flight on October 20, 2010, was presented at the Air Show China 2010 air show. The upgraded version received Ukrainian jet engines with afterburner AI-222-25F. AI-222-25 power plants (without afterburner) are equipped with Russian Yak-130 . ^[9] Thanks to modernization, the maneuverability of the L-15 improved to the level of third-generation fighters , and the rate of climb is not inferior to the American F-16 and the French Mirage 2000 . ^[9]

On August 15, 2010, Hongdu announced that the development of the L-15 was completed. ^[four]

In 2011, Hongdu ordered 250 Ukrainian AI-222-25F engines for L-15 combat training aircraft with delivery by 2015 . ^[ten]

In 2013, it became known about a long-term contract with Motor Sich from 2001 for the supply of 1920 AI-222-25F engines and the repair of 3840 units until 2041 for a total of $ 5.7 billion ^[11] .

In 2015, Ukraine tentatively agreed with the PRC on the purchase of Hongdu L-15 for the needs of the Ukrainian Air Force . The main condition for the transaction is the localization of the assembly of military vehicles at the Odessa Aviation Plant (Odesaviaremservis), whose capacities will increase with the help of the Chinese side. However, not reported on the number of purchased attack aircraft and the cost of the contract ^{[12] [13]} .

In 2017, the official publication of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the People's Daily newspaper, reported that aircraft engines for the L-15 will be assembled in China ^[14] .

The aircraft uses a four-time redundant remote control system. Also implemented a "glass cockpit" : there are six multifunctional color displays (three for each pilot).

A collimator indicator is installed in the cockpit. The dimensions of the aircraft allow you to place a modern radar with AFAR .

The design of the aircraft is 25% made of carbon composite materials, including tail and flaps. Expected life is 10,000 flight hours or 30 years. ^[five]

The aircraft is equipped with two Ukrainian AI-222-25F turbojet engines with afterburner and modern on-board equipment, including a digital power plant control system.

Data Source: ^{[3] [6] [15] [16]}

Specifications

• Crew : 1 or 2 people
• Length : 12.27 m
• Wing span : 9.48 m
• Height : 4.81 m
• Empty weight: 4960 kg
• Normal take-off weight: 6500 kg
• Maximum take-off weight : 9500 kg
• Powerplant: 2 × turbofan engine AI-222-25F
  • Trackless draft : 2 × 2500 kgf
  • Afterburner traction: 2 × 4200 kgf

Flight characteristics

• Maximum speed: 1479 km / h (1.4 M )
• Combat radius: 550 km
• Ferry range: 3100 km
• Practical ceiling : 16,500 m
• Rate of climb : 150 m / s
• Maximum operational overload : + 8 / -3 g

Armament

• Combat load: 3000 kg at 6 suspension points (4 under the wing and one at the tip)
• Guided missiles: air-to-air melee
• Unguided missiles : blocks with unguided missiles
• Bombs : Adjustable and regular bombs

Hongdu L-15 and Guizhou JL-9 participated in a tender for the supply of a new generation of combat training aircraft for the training of Chinese air force pilots. Guizhou JL-9 was created on the basis of combat training modifications Chengdu J-7 (Chinese copy of the MiG-21 ).

Compared to the L-15, the JL-9 is equipped with a single engine and generally has a simpler design and cheaper to manufacture, however, it does not have significant advantages over the combat training version of Chengdu J-7 and is, in fact, only an improved version morally obsolete aircraft of the past generation.

On May 1, 2012, Yang Liping, chief economist at Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, announced contracts for the supply of L-15s to Latin America and Africa. In 2012, foreign customers planned to deliver at least 12 L-15 ^{[23] [24]} .

At the end of 2014, Ukraine began to consider the possibility of buying or licensing the production of Chinese light attack aircraft L-15 ^[25] . However, as of July 2017, a final decision on this issue has not been made.

•   China - adopted by the Chinese Air Force in 2013 under the designation JL-10 ^[3]
•   Zambia - 6 L-15 as of 2017 ^{[26] [27]}
•   Venezuela - 24 L-15 ordered in 2014 ^{[28] [29] [30]}

• Hongdu L-15 Supersonic Trainer / Attack Aircraft, China
• Ukraine is preparing the transfer to China of the first batch of serial engines for UBS L-15
• L-15
• L-15 Advanced Jet Trainer at sinodefence.com
• Chinese L-15-03
• Ukraine is considering the possibility of producing Chinese L-15 attack aircraft