Chinese L-15 ADVANCED TRAINER
The L-15 Falcon is the advanced trainer aircraft currently under development in Nanchang-based Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG). The aircraft made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. The aircraft’s development was reportedly assisted by Russian Yokovlev OKB. The L-15 is a direct rival to the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Co. (GAIC) JL-9 in competing for the PLAAF’s next generation advanced trainer aircraft programme.
Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its L-15 advanced lead-in trainer (LIFT) in the 2004 Zhuhai Airshow. The two-engine, two-seat L-15 reportedly features latest advanced technologies such as digital quadruple fly-by-wire (FBW), glass cockpit, and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) flight control. 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 manoeuvres of advanced fourth-generation fighters such as J-10 and J-11.
With the L-15, student pilots will be able to complete mission flight training and advanced combat training for the fourth generation fighters such as J-10 and J-11, 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 for lightweight attack role with minor modifications.
The first L-15 prototype rolled out in September 2005 and made its maiden flight on 13 March 2006. Currently Hongdu is actively marketing the aircraft to both domestic and international market. If the aircraft is chosen by the PLAAF, the first operational variant will become available as early as 2008~2010.
ENGINES
The aircraft is said to be powered by two DV-2F or AI-222K-25F turbofan engines with afterburner.
SPECIFICATIONS
Crew: 2
Weight: Normal take-off 6,500kg; max take-off 9,500kg
Max Speed: Mach 1.4
Range: Combat radius over 550km
Service Ceiling: 16,000m
Max Climb Rate: 150m/s
G Limit: +8/-3
strong:Chinese HELICOPTER Today
Meanwhile the PLA still lacks a dedicated attack helicopter comparable to the U.S. AH-64 Apache or Russian Mi-28 Havoc for ground support and anti-armour roles. The Army Aviation’s limited attack helicopter force comprises only some 30 to 40 Harbin WZ-9s and eight Eurocopter SA 342L Gazelles, plus around 60 Mil Mi-17 Hips carrying unguided rocket launchers and free-fall bombs.
A development programme for a new dedicated attack helicopter has been undergoing since the mid-1990s by 602 Institute and Changhe Aircraft Industry Company (CHAIC) in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. The new helicopter, possibly designated as WZ-10 (Wuzhuang Zhisheng-10) is believed in the same class as South African Atlas Rooviak and Italian Agusta A129. The design of the helicopter including the power plant and transmission systems could be derived from the Harbin Z-9, with a re-worked front-fuselage to accommodate two pilots.
A photo revealed on Internet shows one of the possible design of the WZ-10, featuring a Z-9/AS 365-style fuselage layout and tail rotor, with a side-by-side, two-seat cockpit, a roof-mounted optical sight, and a nose-mounted FLIR. The helicopter can carry up to 8 ATGMs, or IR-guided short-range AAMs. Although the helicopter might still not be as capable as the U.S. AH-64 Apache, it will probably play a significant role in Army Aviation modernisation and force compabilities
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