JL-10

By the year 2000, China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) initiated efforts to develop a new advanced trainer for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), contracting the Yakovlev Design Bureau from Russia as a technical consultant for the L-15 programme. The L-15 project aimed to compete with the Guizhou JL-9, being developed in parallel by China Aviation Industry Corporation I. The prototype L-15 was completed in September 2005, with its first flight taking place on March 13, 2006. Initial variants included a subsonic advanced jet trainer and a supersonic advanced fighter trainer. In November 2012, the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) placed an order for 12 L-15 jet trainers.

Design

The L-15 incorporates fly-by-wire technology and a glass cockpit. 25% of the aircraft is composed of composite materials, contributing to a service life of 10,000 hours. The L-15A subsonic advanced jet trainer is powered by the Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25 and has seven weapon hardpoints, while the supersonic advanced fighter trainer variant is powered by the afterburning AI-222K-25. Both the L-15A and L-15B variants use a PESA radar.

Armament

The development of the L-15B, a supersonic variant designed for lead-in fighter training (LIFT) and light attack, was announced in 2010, with its first flight on December 21, 2017. The L-15B is powered by the AI-222K-25F, enabling a maximum speed of Mach 1.4. Compared to the L-15A, the L-15B features shorter take-off and landing distances and is equipped with nine hardpoints. The L-15B light attack variant provides a maximum payload capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs). This aircraft is capable of carrying SD-10 and PL-8 air-to-air missiles for air defense or air superiority missions. For ground attack roles, it can be equipped with LS-6 satellite-guided bombs.

Operational History

The L-15 is designated JL-10 in service with the People's Liberation Army. The JL-10 has seen deployment within the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) since 2019, bridging the gap between basic training and advanced fighter operations, and reducing candidate conversion time. It is also in use with the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force, which received twelve aircraft in August 2018, including a carrier-compatible JL-10J version for catapult launch training as observed on the Type 003 aircraft carrier. Beyond China, the L-15 has been exported to Zambia, where six L-15Z advanced fighter trainers were delivered between 2016 and 2017, and a future purchase of L-15s is projected for the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

Variants

Main Variants:

• L-15AW: This is the subsonic advanced jet trainer version, distinguished by its seven hardpoints and previously marketed as the L-15A.

• L-15 advanced fighter trainer: This variant is the supersonic iteration of the L-15AW, enhancing its training capabilities.

• L-15Z: This is the designation given to the L-15 advanced fighter trainer specifically when it is in service with the Zambian Air Force.

• L-15B: This is a supersonic light attack variant equipped with nine hardpoints for increased combat effectiveness.

• JL-10J: This carrier-compatible version of the JL-10 is adapted for catapult launch training and has been observed on the Type 003 aircraft carrier.