Hongdu JL-10
Chinese supersonic advanced training and light combat aircraft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hongdu JL-10, also initially known as Hongdu L-15 Falcon,[3] is a supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft developed by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC).[4][5][6] It is used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT).[7]
Light combat aircraft
| JL-10 / L-15 | |
|---|---|
| |
| General information | |
| Type | Advanced jet trainer Light combat aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation |
| Designer | |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| History | |
Introduction date | 2013[1] |
| First flight | March 13, 2006[2] |
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Design
The L-15 uses fly-by-wire (FBW) and a glass cockpit.[7] The prototypes were powered by Lotarev DV-2 turbofans.[2]
The L-15A subsonic advanced jet trainer is powered by the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25[2] and has seven weapon hardpoints.[8] The supersonic advanced fighter trainer variant is powered by the afterburning AI-222K-25.[2] According to a Ukrainian source, 25% of the aircraft is composed of composite materials and its service life is 10,000 hours.[9]
The L-15B light attack aircraft is powered by the AI-222K-25F[10] for a maximum speed of Mach 1.4.[5] Compared to the L-15A, the L-15B has shorter take-off and landing distances and two more hardpoints.[6] The L-15A and L-15B use a PESA radar.[8][2] The aircraft can armed with the air-to-air missiles.[6][10][11]
Development
China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) was working toward a new advanced trainer for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by 2000; that year AVIC II contracted the Yakovlev Design Bureau from Russia — and designer of the Yak-130 trainer — as a technical and scientific consultant for the L-15 programme.[12] The L-15 would compete with the Guizhou JL-9 developed in parallel by China Aviation Industry Corporation I.[13] The prototype was completed in September 2005[14] and first flew on March 13, 2006.[2] The initial variants were a subsonic advanced jet trainer and a supersonic advanced fighter trainer.[2]
Development of the L-15B, a supersonic variant for LIFT, was announced in 2010.[5] It first flew on December 21, 2017.[8]
The China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) ordered 12 L-15 jet trainers in November 2012; it was not known whether these were for — or would be delivered to — a third-party.[15]
Zambia ordered six advanced fighter trainers as the L-15Z[2] in 2014 for US$100 million;[16] they were delivered in 2016[2] and 2017.[8]
The first L-15 in PLAAF colors was seen in 2016.[10] The PLA used a few L-15s for flight-test evaluation before 2018.[8] The People's Liberation Army Navy received 12 L-15s in August 2018.[17] The PLAAF began using the JL-10 for LIFT in 2019. Compared to the less sophisticated JL-9, the JL-10 reduces candidate and conversion training time for more recent PLAAF aircraft.[7]
On 23 February 2022, the United Arab Emirates announced its intention to buy 12 L-15s, with an option for 36 more.[18][19] The value of the deal was not released, the Emirati newspaper The National reported that China sells the L-15 for $10–15 million per unit.[20]
Operational history
On September 2, 2026, an aerial encounter happened over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Three Chinese military Hongdu JL-10 light combat aircraft intercepted and drove away three propeller driven Philippine aircraft when armed with PL-5 short-range air-to-air missiles. China used the JL-10 light combat aircraft for low-risk interception missions as a cost-effective strategy.[11]
Variants
- L-15AW: Subsonic advanced jet trainer version with seven hardpoints. Previously marketed as L-15A.[5][6]
- L-15 advanced fighter trainer: Supersonic variant of the L-15A.[2]
- L-15Z: Designation of L-15 advanced fighter trainer in Zambian Air Force service.[2]
- L-15B: Supersonic light attack[8] variant with nine hardpoints.[5]
- JL-10: PLAAF designation.[10]
- JL-10J: Carrier-compatible version of the JL-10. Used for catapult launch training and was seen on Type 003 aircraft carrier.[21]
- JL-10 Twin-Tail: Unnamed twin-tail aircraft largely based on the JL-10. The configuration is similar to the Boeing T-7 and the role is likely for carrier-based training.[22][23] In October 2025, the jet trainer was observed in flight testing.[24]
Operators
- United Arab Emirates Air Force: 48 (projected)[19]
Specifications (L-15B)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2[10]
- Length: 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
- Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 11,600 kg (25,574 lb)
- Powerplant: 2[10] × Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F[10] afterburning turbofan, 41.19[27] kN (9,260 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
Armament
- Hardpoints: 7 for L-15AW and 9 for L-15B[6] with a capacity of 3500kg
- Rockets: Rockets[1]
- Missiles:
- SD-10 (PL-12) BVR air-to-air missiles (offered for export with the L-15B)[6]
- PL-8 short-range air-to-air missiles[10]
- PL-5 short-range air-to-air missiles[11]
- Bombs: LS-6 family of precision-guided bombs[10]
Avionics
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle
- Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master
- Boeing T-7 Red Hawk
- Guizhou JL-9
- KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
- TAI Hürjet
- Yakovlev Yak-130
