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Hongdu JL-15

Type (Muster)
Advanced jet-trainer and lightweight fighter (Fortgeschrittenen-Strahltrainer und leichter Jäger/Jagdbomber)

Country (Land)
China

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
Nanchang, Jiangxi 330024
China

Phone: 0086-79/846-8401
Fax: 0086-79/845-1491

Hogdu is part of the AVIC II aerospace conglomerate.

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2 in tandem

Weapons (Bewaffnung): No details available

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x turbofan engines, most likely Motor Sich AI-222K-25F but possibly WS-11 or DV-2F

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 15 m
Span (Spannweite): 11 m

Weights (Massen)
Normal take-off weight (Startmasse): 6500 kg
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 9500 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Fluggeschwindigkeit): Mach 1.4
Max. climb rate (Steigrate): 150 m/s
Ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 16000 m
Loitering time: 2 hrs
g-Limits: +8/-3

Costs (Kosten)
Development costs of 900 million US-Dollars were claimed by an AVIC II official at the Dubai air show in December 2003.

Customers (Kunden)
None yet. The JL-15 could compete against the FTC-2000 for a People Liberation Army Air Force order.

Competition (Konkurrenten)
Aermacchi M-346
EADS Mako
Korean Aerospace T-50 Golden Eagle (Samsung KTX-2)
Jakovlev Yak-130

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The JL-15 is intended as a new-generation high-performance trainer to support pupil transition to the latest Chinese fighters like J-10 and J-11. Its configuration is similar to the Yak-130 and Mako. Among the likely features are:

glass cockpit
leading edge extension for high alpha maneuvers
digital fly-by-wire control system

History (Geschichte)
The JL-15 (L-15) was first revealed at the Aviation Expo 2001 in Beijing (September 2001). It was displayed again at the 2003 show.
In December 2000, AVIC II officials said they were looking for international partners in the development of the new trainer.
A first flight is expected in 2005. Initial deliveries could then be in 2007.

Civil | Military | Helicopters | History | Spaceflight

Last updated 9 January 2004

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