Pakistan plans to buy Hongdu L-15 Supersonic Trainer Jet

[EagleEyes]

China had gifted 4 L-15 to Pakistan couple of years ago. 12 more makes 16 in total which makes a squadron.

There is no news regarding this, but Pakistan was evaluating the aircraft. That is all, nothing further has been done.

 

[Last Hope]

"---and replace all existing K-8 trainers---"

This part destroys the creditably of the article. PAF is not going to phase out K-8 trainers anytime soon. But at the same time, L-15 are being considered as a great training platform for JF-17.

 

[Green Angel]

Good News.................I think this buying is for JF-17 Thunder BLOCK 3(Two Seat version)...............that's great Plan.

 

[farhan_9909]

Ahh no

K-8 will remain always since it is for different purpose.

Pak may import L-15 but speeding the development of JFT trainer variant would be more better.

And the Unknown customer of 12 L-15 was Egypt not Pakistan

 

[Zarvan]

Hongdu L-15 is a twin engine, modern jet trainer or light attack aircraft designed and manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) of China. It has been built as a rival to Guizhou JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle. The L-15 will be used as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). About five prototypes have been built by HAIG.

Hongdu L-15 trainer aircraft orders

PLAAF ordered four Hongdu L-15 trainer aircraft in April 2006. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is planning to procure Hongdu L-15 supersonic jet trainers from HAIG to replace its existing K-8 Karakorum jet trainer. The procurement will allow PAF to reduce its trainer aircraft from four to two.



Hongdu L-15 design

HAIG unveiled the L-15 aircraft design in September 2001 during the 9th Aviation exhibition in Beijing. The large leading edge extensions (LEX) design allows the aircraft to offer a maximum angle of attack of 30°. The aircraft can also be changed into light air-to-ground attack aircraft with minor modifications.

The aircraft has been designed to train pilots of the Fourth-generation fighters encompassing Su-27, Su-30, J-10, and J-11. The enhanced design provides safety to the pilot while cutting down the training cost compared to its rivals.

HAIG L-15 development

The development of Hongdu L-15 began when Hongdu planned a modern trainer aircraft which would meet the requirements of PLAAF's new generation fighters. Russian based Yakovlev Design Bureau aided in the L-15 manufacturing as its design resembles that of the Yak-130 aircraft.

"HAIG unveiled the L-15 aircraft design in September 2001 during the 9th Aviation exhibition in Beijing."

The initial prototype was rolled out in September 2005 and took its maiden flight in March 2006. The second prototype completed its first flight in May 2008. The first and second prototypes are powered by two ZMKB-Progress (Lotarev) DV-2 engines. An improved version, the DV-2F, which boasts of afterburner capabilities, was fitted in the third model. Ukraine's Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F turbofan engines with afterburner are incorporated in the later L-15 versions.

The Hongdu L-15 was displayed at the Dubai Air show organised in November 2009 to promote its aircraft in the potential Middle East market. HAIG will receive export orders from Africa, the Middle East and South America.

The first operational variant powered by Ivchenko-Progress AI-222K-25F turbofan engines was introduced in August 2010 upon completion of six months production.

Hongdu L-15 cockpit

The Hongdu L-15 features a full glass cockpit which can accommodate two crew members, either a student pilot and instructor, or an official pilot and weapons systems officer. A multi-colour head down display is fitted on both front and rear cockpit, while the head up display is installed at the cockpit front. Digital fly by wire (FBW), and hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) flight control systems are also installed in the aircraft.

Armaments

The Hongdu L-15 comprises six hard points of which four are located under the two wings and two under the wing-tips. It can accommodate 3,000kg of payload. The aircraft can carry short range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, bombs and rocket pods.

Ivchenko Progress AI-222K-25F Engines

The aircraft is powered by two Ivchenko Progress AI-222K-25F afterburning turbofan engines. Each engine can generate 4,200kg of thrust afterburner.

"The Hongdu L-15 can climb at the rate of 150m/s."

The aircraft is also integrated with full authority digital engine control (FADEC), which decreases the work load of the pilot by executing autopilot operations.

The length and width of the engine are 2.2m and 0.86m respectively.

The height is 1.09m. The service life of the engine is 3000 flight hours, while the dry weight is 440kg.

Performance

The Hongdu L-15 can climb at the rate of 150m/s. Its maximum speed is 1,715km/h. The range and combat radius of the aircraft are 3,100km and 550km respectively. The service ceiling of the aircraft is 16,000m. Its maximum loitering time is two hours. The aircraft weighs around 4,960kg and its maximum take-off weight is 9,500kg.



Hongdu L-15 Supersonic Trainer / Attack Aircraft - Airforce Technology

Pakistan really needs one modern trainer plane to train its future pilots and as we will go for more advanced fighters we need more advanced trainer and it can help us in also some battle fields

 

[Beast]

Ahh no

K-8 will remain always since it is for different purpose.

Pak may import L-15 but speeding the development of JFT trainer variant would be more better.

And the Unknown customer of 12 L-15 was Egypt not Pakistan

Yes, correct. The customer for the L-15 will never be PAF. L-15 is in fact a competitor to JF-17. PAF buying L-15 will be redundant and making JF-17 extra.

L-15 is in fact in terms of spec very similar to JF-17. Engine thrust, weapon payload, range , G sustain.

 

[araz]

The report of PAF buying L 15 dates from 2006. I dont think it would take that long to evaluate the plane. Twin seat JFT could serve this purpose. We are yet 6-8yrs away from buying a twin engined jet so training for that seems illogical.Twin engined trainers have an added feature for the pilot in case of engine failure but PAF cannot afford to pay for the induction of FC20 which we desperately need so where is the money going to come from? Lastly K8 is there to stay and PAF will not shoot itselfin its foot by shelving a bird which is still being bought by other countries and therefore bringing in revenue to it. So all in all would love to see it happen but it aint gonna!!!!!
Araz

 

[alimobin memon]

Yes, correct. The customer for the L-15 will never be PAF. L-15 is in fact a competitor to JF-17. PAF buying L-15 will be redundant and making JF-17 extra.

L-15 is in fact in terms of spec very similar to JF-17. Engine thrust, weapon payload, range , G sustain.

In what sense is it ? same in specs .
jf17 L15

Speed: Mach 1.8----------mach 1.4
Thrust(AF): 87kn ----------25 kn
Payload: 4200kg----------~1500kg
EW suite: DEEC-----------N/A
Radar: KLJ7-----------N/A
BVR: YES----------NO


Futhermore they are similar in cost doesnt mean they are the same The Cost of Jf17 has increased it is no more a 15 million dollar plane not even block 2. Hongdu l-15 is expensive due to it training capabilities to support the action of Several Next Generation fighters like 2 engine fighter jets.. That's all

There are already talks that jf17 is so capable there is no need of j10. If PAF is to implement a new jet that is definitely F60 or so...

 

[Beast]

In what sense is it ? same in specs .
jf17 L15

Speed: Mach 1.8----------mach 1.4
Thrust(AF): 87kn ----------25 kn
Payload: 4200kg----------~1500kg
EW suite: DEEC-----------N/A
Radar: KLJ7-----------N/A
BVR: YES----------NO


Futhermore they are similar in cost doesnt mean they are the same The Cost of Jf17 has increased it is no more a 15 million dollar plane not even block 2. Hongdu l-15 is expensive due to it training capabilities to support the action of Several Next Generation fighters like 2 engine fighter jets.. That's all

There are already talks that jf17 is so capable there is no need of j10. If PAF is to implement a new jet that is definitely F60 or so...

Putting up a bias spec will not help your clause!

25kn thrust is for non after burner version. The one used on L-15 is afterburner version which is AI-222-25F. And mind you , L-15 is twin engine. So its 42kn x 2 power of thrust. That will be 84kn max thrust. RD-93 max thrust is always at 83Kn and never at 87kn.

The info you provided of L-15 is outdated. A trainer with 84kn of max thrust for a empty weight of 6500kg definitely can have a weapon payload of at least 4000kg and Max speed of at least 1.6M and a range similar to JF-17. Best of all L-15 is already a twin seat version. It can act as trainer and as fighter. While JF-17 can only act as fighter due to its single seat version only. Noticed why JF-17 twin seat never materialised??

Ukraine conveys first engines for L-15 trainer airplane to China

Ukraine is delivering the first batch of AI-222-25F engines for new Chinese L-15 trainer airplanes. A source well informed on the details of the Ukrainian-Chinese cooperation under the L-15 program told Interfax-Ukraine that the Chinese side is to certify the first batch of engines assembled in Ukraine by the end of week.

"Chinese specialists have arrived to Ukraine to certify the first batch of engines, this work is to be done by the end of week," the agency's interlocutor added.

The source did not disclose the volume of consignment.

"At present, we're continuing talks with our Chinese colleagues on further supplies of AI-222-25F engines to China and cooperation in their production," he said.

A contract on the supply of AI-222-25F engines produced in Ukraine to China was signed in spring 2011. The volume and the value of the contract have not been disclosed.

The L-15 is an airplane for training pilots of J-10, J-11, J-16 and other aircraft. Its maximum takeoff weight is 9,800 kilograms. Its length is 12.27 meters. The aircraft is 25% made of carbonate composite materials. The service life of these aircraft is 10,000 flight hours, or 30 years.

The AI-222-25F engine, which was designed by Ivchenko-Progress Enterprise and is produced at Zaporizhia-based OJSC Motor Sich, generates 4,200 kilograms of thrust when afterburning.

According to the L-15's designers, the aircraft will have a competitive price of $10 million, which will vary depending on the model.

Foreign mass media reported that China would soon design a light attack plane based on the L-15. At the moment, options for its armaments are being considered. The new aircraft will be offered to the Chinese air forces and for export. A similar plane could be also developed for the Chinese navy.

 

[帅的一匹]

PAF might plan to induct two engines fighter in the future, good news!

 

[alimobin memon]

Putting up a bias spec will not help your clause!

25kn thrust is for non after burner version. The one used on L-15 is afterburner version which is AI-222-25F. And mind you , L-15 is twin engine. So its 42kn x 2 power of thrust. That will be 84kn max thrust. RD-93 max thrust is always at 83Kn and never at 87kn.

The info you provided of L-15 is outdated. A trainer with 84kn of max thrust for a empty weight of 6500kg definitely can have a weapon payload of at least 4000kg and Max speed of at least 1.6M and a range similar to JF-17. Best of all L-15 is already a twin seat version. It can act as trainer and as fighter. While JF-17 can only act as fighter due to its single seat version only. Noticed why JF-17 twin seat never materialised??

Ukraine conveys first engines for L-15 trainer airplane to China

In what world are u living ? jf17 has same empty weight of 6.5 ton and who told you that if it is 42 * 2 is 84 for l15? so u are saying that mig 29 with 88 kn each thrust of RD33MK series means that the MIG 29 has 88 * 2 = 176kn ? Lolz according to ur theory mig 29 is a mini rocket ? with only 6000kg of payload . L15 can never have 4000kg of payload Mind you too. its speed is not more than mach 1.4 if its payload is increased to 4K can never reach the mach 1.4 that you mind it too.

It has no RADAR close to 80 km range and not a BVR jet or can fire a Guided munitions .
Do you even know What is Electronic warfare suite of jf17 is . no first research it !

 

[fjavaid]

Yes, correct. The customer for the L-15 will never be PAF. L-15 is in fact a competitor to JF-17. PAF buying L-15 will be redundant and making JF-17 extra.

L-15 is in fact in terms of spec very similar to JF-17. Engine thrust, weapon payload, range , G sustain.

lol buddy you really have to study a lot when it comes to Aviation !!!

 

[Beast]

In what world are u living ? jf17 has same empty weight of 6.5 ton and who told you that if it is 42 * 2 is 84 for l15? so u are saying that mig 29 with 88 kn each thrust of RD33MK series means that the MIG 29 has 88 * 2 = 176kn ? Lolz according to ur theory mig 29 is a mini rocket ? with only 6000kg of payload . L15 can never have 4000kg of payload Mind you too. its speed is not more than mach 1.4 if its payload is increased to 4K can never reach the mach 1.4 that you mind it too.

It has no RADAR close to 80 km range and not a BVR jet or can fire a Guided munitions .
Do you even know What is Electronic warfare suite of jf17 is . no first research it !

You seems to know nothing of L-15 and just come with a bias mind? What is wrong with RD33MK equip on Mig-29? Its is the new version called Mig-35. Whats wrong with 176Kn thrust for it? Is it new to you?

 

[alimobin memon]

You seems to know nothing of L-15 and just come with a bias mind? What is wrong with RD33MK equip on Mig-29? Its is the new version called Mig-35. Whats wrong with 176Kn thrust for it? Is it new to you?

Leave it Man !!!! you are the one who'll design F95 in 2040 I cant compete with you...

 

[Last Hope]

The thread has been proven to be untrue and hence must be closed for time being.