1. Design and Development

The L-15 is an advanced trainer aircraft developed by Nanchang based Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation. The aircraft made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. The aircraft's general designer is Mr. Zhang Hong (张弘), and development had reportedly been completed alongside Yakovlev OKB of Russia. The L-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 L-15 advanced lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) in the 2004 Zhuhai Airshow. The two-seat, two-engine L-15 featured the latest advanced technologies developed by China, such as the digital quadruple fly-by-wire (FBW), glass cockpit (two multi-color head down displays for both the front and rear cockpit, and an additional head-up display for the front cockpit) and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) flight control. The look-down field of view for the front cockpit is 18°, and 6° for the rear cockpit, exceeding the US requirement. 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, JF-17 and J-11, as well as for newest fifth generation fighter like J-20 and J-31. JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle trainer jet from Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation (GAIC) is a direct competitor of the L-15. L-15 has a wide range of more advanced features comparing JL-9, but JL-9 is significant cheaper and its development and production would be fully indigenous, while early batches of L-15 still rely on AI-222 series turbofan engine from Ukraine before an indigenous update is ready. ^[1]

With the L-15, student pilots will be able to complete mission flight training and advanced combat training, 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, carrying up to 3.5 tons of armament.^[2]

Each of the first two units (#01 & #02) are powered by two Ivchenko-Progress DV-2 engines, which do not have afterburners, and these two aircraft thus do not have the capability to reach supersonic speed. The third unit (#03) is powered by a pair of an improved version of the DV-2, the DV-2F, that has afterburners, so that it can attain supersonic speed. The subsequent production units are expected to be powered by Ukraine's Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F turbofan engines with afterburners once a co-production license is obtained by the 608 Institute. Ivchenko-Progress was able to increase the thrust of the AI-222-28F (thrust 4500 kg) and AI-222-30F (5000 kg thrust) engines. The latter two engines may be used to equip the L-15 or other Chinese aircraft.^[3] Meanwhile, according to various Chinese reports, L-15s with updated Guizhou FWS-17 engines had already undergone test flights.^[2]

In June 2013, the AJT condition of L-15 finalized the design and would be operated by PLAAF with a formal name JL-10.^[4] On July 1, 2013, the first batch of JL-10 began delivery to the PLAAF. Chinese Air Force and later Naval Air Force are highly satisfied with the aircraft's all-around performance, high reliability, cost-effectiveness, as well as its great multi-role update potentials, easy maintainability, and a service life of over 10,000 flying hours. ^[5][6]

2. Variants

• L-15A: AJT
• JL-10: The designation in People's Liberation Army Air Force service.^[7]
• L-15Z: The designation in Zambian Air Force.^[8]
• L-15AW: Combat variant with 7 hardpoints.^[9]
• L-15B: Combat variant with afterburning engines, 9 hardpoints and capability to launch beyond-visual-range PL-12 missile.^[9][10]

3. Operators

People's Republic of China

People's Liberation Army Air Force (First batch of L-15 is commissioned in a training center of PLAAF in Eastern China, quantity is uncertain based from public information)

In November 2012, an order for twelve L-15s by an unknown customer was announced, due to be delivered in 2013.^[11] This batch of L-15 began delivery to the customer on June 29, 2013.^[12]

People's Liberation Army Navy

In August 2018, according to the photos in the article, at least twelve L-15 have been delivered to Navy Aviation university.^[13]

Zambia

Zambian Air Force - It was reported in 2014 that Zambia had ordered 6 L-15s for US$100 million^[14] and deliveries have completed in 2017.^[15] According to Chinese sources, Zambia had ordered at least another 6 L-15As and 12 L-15Bs.^[16]

4. Potential Customers

Pakistan

Pakistan ^[17] is interested in acquiring this aircraft to train its fighter pilots.

Ukraine

Ukraine is considering local production of the L-15 in Odessa.^[18]

Uruguay

Uruguayan Air Force is interested in acquiring eight L-15s. A team of officers was sent to China in August 2016 to evaluate the aircraft.^[15] The invitation was coordinated for October 2011 in an invitation extended by CATIC to the FAU command to form a committee including Air Marshall W. Martínez and staff.^[19]

5. Specifications (L-15 AJT)

Data from Military-Today^[20]（estimate） L-15A ^[2]. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1876862

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 12.27 m (40 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 9.48 m (31 ft 1 in)
• Height: 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in)
• Empty weight: 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
• Gross weight: 6,500 kg (14,330 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25 afterburning turbofan engines

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,729 km/h (1,074 mph, 934 kn)
• Maximum speed: Mach 1.4
• Range: 550 km (340 mi, 300 nmi) +
• Ferry range: 3,100 km (1,900 mi, 1,700 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 200 m/s (39,000 ft/min)

Avionics

Unknown type PESA radar,^[21] Likely with AESA radars for further updates.^[2]