HAIG L-15

Infobox Aircraft
name= HAIG L-15


caption=
type= Supersonic trainer
manufacturer=Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation
designer=Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation
first flight= 13 March 2006
introduced= Between 2008 and 2010
retired=
status=
primary user= China PLAAF/PLANAF
more users=
produced=
number built=At least 2 prototype
unit cost= ¥ 100 million (2008 price)
developed from =
variants with their own articles= The JL-15 Falcon (猎鹰) is a supersonic training aircraft and light attack aircraft being developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation to meet PLAAF/PLANAF Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) requirements.

History

The JL-15 is an advanced trainer aircraft currently under development by Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIG). The aircraft made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. The aircraft's general designer is Mr. Zhang Hong (张弘), and the development is reportedly assisted by Yakovlev OKB of Russia. The JL-15 is a direct rival to the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle in competition for the People's Liberation Army Air Force's (PLAAF) next-generation advanced trainer aircraft program.

HAIG unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its JL-15 advanced lead-in trainer (LIFT) in the 2004 Zhuhai Airshow. The two-engine, two-seat JL-15 reportedly features the latest advanced technologies such as digital quadruple fly-by-wire (FBW), glass cockpit, and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) flight control. The aerodynamic performance of the aircraft is enhanced by its large leading edge extensions (LEX) design, which gives a maximum angle of attack of 30°. This is very useful when trying to simulate the maneuvers of advanced fourth-generation fighters such as J-10 and J-11.

With the JL-15, student pilots will be able to complete mission flight training and advanced combat training for fourth-generation fighters such as J-10 and J-11, as well as complete all basic jet flight training courses. The aircraft also has six (four under-wing and two wingtip) pylons to carry various air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. If necessary, it can serve in the lightweight attack role with minor modifications.

The first JL-15 prototype rolled out in September 2005 and made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. Currently Hongdu is actively marketing the aircraft to both domestic and international markets. In April 2006, it was reported that the PLAAF placed orders for 4 JL-15 trainers, and small batch production will start in 2007. [ [http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_china-defense_archive.html China Defense Blog: April 2006 ] ]

pecifications

*Crew: 2 (1 student pilot and 1 instructor/official pilot (trainer), or 1 official pilot and 1 weapons systems officer (attack))
*Weights: Normal take-off 6,500 kg; max take-off 9,500 kg
*Max speed: Mach 1.4
*Range: Combat radius over 550 km
*Service ceiling: 16,000 m
*Max climb rate: 150 m/s
*"g"-Limits: +8.0/-3.0 "g"

Engines

The first unit (L-15-01) is powered by two ZMKB-Progress (Lotarev) DV-2F. The subsequent production units are expected to be powered by Ukraine's Ivchenko-Progress AL-222K-25F turbofan engines with afterburner once co-production license is obtained by the 618 Institute.

References

External links

* [http://news.sohu.com/20080623/n257683496.shtml First flight of L-15 03 (with pictures)] cn icon
* [http://www.china.com.cn/chinese/news/1153224.htm News article on the maiden flight of the L-15 (with pictures)] cn icon
* [http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/trainer/l15.asp L-15 at Chinese Defence Today] en icon

ee also

aircontent

similar aircraft=
*KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
*EADS Mako/High Energy Advanced Trainer
*Yakovlev Yak-130
*Aermacchi M-346