Posted on 11/17/2010 7:00:37 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
PICTURE: Zhuhai10 - AVIC launches L-15 version with afterburner
By Greg Waldron
China's AVIC Defence has developed a version of its L-15 advanced jet trainer with an afterburner, upgraded cockpit and radar.
The company announced the upgraded aircraft, the L-15 Lift, at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. The new version had its first flight on 20 October.
"The L-15 Lift is a new generation supersonic advanced trainer developed by AVIC Hongdu to meet lead-in fighter training requirements, on the basis of the L-15 trainer," the company says.
The L-15 Lift uses a Ukrainian-made afterburning turbofan with full authority digital engine control software. This provides a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1:1, allowing the aircraft to hit supersonic speeds.
© Billypix The L-15 Lift uses a Ukrainian-made afterburning turbofan
AVIC says the new engine, in addition to relaxed stability, means the L-15 Lift can "reach or even exceed" the manoeuvrability of third-generation fighters.
Presenting the new aircraft at the show, AVIC, without disclosing specifics, said the L-15 Lift's climb rate is comparable with aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin F-16 or Dassault Mirage 2000.
The L-15's fuselage has also been enlarged to accommodate a phased array radar. As for the cockpit, the L-15 Lift has a head-up display and three multifunction displays in the forward seat, and three displays in the rear. This compares with just two multifunction displays for each pilot in a AJT version.
In another change, the new design's tail and flaps are also made from composite materials.
If orders are forthcoming, the L-15 Lift could be delivered in two years. "We will be very competitive in price compared with similar trainers," says AVIC.
The new aircraft, which performed a flying display at the show, will compete directly with advanced jet trainers such as the Yakovlev Yak-130 and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed T-50.
Doesn’t look big enough to have much payload.
How’s that “free trade” thing working out?
China-made products are no longer junk.
Many are world class quality. A generation ago, China wasn’t even an exporter.
Now it exports everything from clothing to advanced jets. All well made.
It's a TRAINER.
TRAINS carry huge payloads, that’s can carry a few toothpicks. Not a train.
“It’s a TRAINER.”
AND? Pilots don’t need to be trained on how to use weapons?
gee who knew
For an aircraft which will have half the loaded weight of a modern F-16, it doesn’t need to carry a heavy payload. It’s a formidable rival to the British Hawk and Alphajet trainers in service across the world.
All I said is that it doesn’t look like it has much payload. Why the heck does that warrant all these snarky comments?
Guess the stuff I buy that's Chinese (almost everything on the market, including food stuffs components) must be seconds.
IMO the Chinese are capable of making good stuff but after showing prospective buyers the sample and possibly delivering well made items things change. They start looking for ways to cut corners, adulterate the product or downright screw the consumer.
Sadly it's for the most part impossible to avoid their junk.
I would never fly on a Chinese plane, drive a Chinese car and try to avoid any food product of Chinese origin.
Trainers aren’t designed to have much of a payload and if you think my comment was snarky, your girdle is way too tight, sugar.
Looks vaguely familiar....
The L-15 was supposedly developed with assistance from Russia’s Yakolev bureau. Besides it’s a twin-engined jet unlike the T-50.
“It’s a TRAINER.”
AND? Pilots don’t need to be trained on how to use weapons?
___________________________________________________________
As a trainer, its function is to teach novice pilots the fundamentals of flying a jet aircraft.
Usually, military pilots get their weapons training when they’re assigned to an operational combat aircraft type. (No, one size doesn’t fit all.)
All well made.
Yeah! RIGHT!! Must be everyone’s imagination. Ever see chinese pipe fittings, or dry-wall, or pet food, or anything else?
And how much did you collect for that endorsement?
well at least I have something between my legs for the girdle to make too tight, unlike you
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