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Ukraine Wins Engine Contract for Chinese L-15 Jet Trainer Production
AIN Online ^ | November 4, 2011 | Vladimir Karnozov

Posted on 11/06/2011 8:16:10 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki

Ukraine Wins Engine Contract for Chinese L-15 Jet Trainer Production

AIN Defense Perspective » November 4, 2011

by Vladimir Karnozov

November 4, 2011, 4:50 AM

China has ordered 250 AI-222-25F turbofans from the Ukraine to power production versions of the Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer. The –25F is an afterburning version of the AI-222 that was first flown on the Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) version of the L-15 in October 2010.

The original AI-222 was developed by the Ivchenko Progress design bureau at Zaporozhye for the Russian Yak-130 jet trainer, and was then fitted to three of the four L-15 prototypes. The new order suggests that China will not put the basic version of the L-15 into production.

The AI-222-25F develops 9,250 pounds (4,200 kg) of thrust at full afterburner, enabling the 21,550-pound (9,800 kg)-mtow L-15 LIFT twinjet to accelerate to Mach 1.6. At a price of $10 million, the Chinese aircraft is expected to sell well in international markets. The LIFT version can potentially carry air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

The engines will be manufactured at the main Motor Sich factory, also in Zaporozhye. Some components will be provided by Moscow-based Salut, which manufactures the AI-222 for the Yak-130. Deliveries will begin later this year, and are due to be completed by 2015.

Progress general designer Igor Kravchenko told AIN that the AI-222-25F is the first-ever Ukrainian engine to be fitted with an afterburner. “With its development, Progress has mastered reheat technologies, which we are now seeking to apply on a fighter engine in the class of thrust up to 44,000 pounds [20 tonnes],” he said. In its primary 22,000-pound (10-tonne) version, this engine could replace Russia’s Klimov RD-93 on the FC-1 and its Pakistan air force version the JF-17 Thunder.

At the recent Aviation Expo 2011 in Beijing, Progress also offered the higher-thrust SBM1V version of the TV3-117 turboshaft that powers the Mi-17 helicopter. It would boost performance for hot/high operations, such as in mountainous western China. The country has recently taken delivery of 32 additional Mi-17s, and could acquire more from the new joint venture with Russian Helicopters.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; ajt; china; ukraine

1 posted on 11/06/2011 8:16:16 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Lots of cool stuff comes out of the Ukraine. I wouldn't mind visiting there.

/johnny

2 posted on 11/06/2011 8:56:35 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

ukrainian women are also extremely beautiful and hot. Visit during summer and your eyes will pop out at least twice an hour.


3 posted on 11/07/2011 1:58:02 AM PST by Cronos
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To: Cronos
your eyes will pop out at least twice an hour.

Considering my celibate life-style, that won't be an issue. My question is if they can cook? ;)

/johnny

4 posted on 11/07/2011 1:02:19 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

oh yes, they can cook! Ukrainian food is very delicious, but very unhealthy


5 posted on 11/07/2011 1:24:52 PM PST by Cronos
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