The company “Hundu” has completed the development of a supersonic TCB / UBS L-15
Currently 5 prototypes of L-15 have been assembled, the latter of which will be used as a base case for mastering small-scale production.
At the same time, the refinement of the L-15 continues. The Hundu enterprise is currently completing the assembly of the sixth prototype of the UT / UBS L-15, which will be equipped with an AI-222-25F turbojet turbojet engine with an afterburner. Motor Sich OJSC handed over to the company Hyundu AI-222-25F engines for installation on the sixth prototype in June of this year.
The first flight of the sixth prototype L-15 with a new high-power propulsion unit as part of the flight tests is scheduled for September 2010. It is this pattern that will be performed in the final configuration. Readiness for another version with the same afterburner engine is expected in 2011.
The company “Hundu” also began design work to create a single-seat version of the aircraft. In the near future, a light attack aircraft version will be created on the basis of the TCF. Currently, the “Hund” is considering options for its weapons. This modification will be offered for delivery to the PLA Air Force and for export. It is possible the creation of a version of the aircraft for the Navy.
For the first time, the company “Hundu” announced its intention to equip the L-15 with an afterburner engine during the international exhibition “Air show China-2008”. The AI-222-25F engine provides thrust up to 4200 kg in the afterburner mode. An L-15 aircraft with this engine can reach speeds up to 1,6M.
Simultaneously with the flight tests of AI-222-25F, Motor Sich OJSC continues to develop improved versions of AI-222-28F and AI-222-30F with 4500 and 5000 kg, respectively. These engines can be installed on later and heavier versions of the L-15, as well as on other Chinese platforms.
Ukraine considers the L-15 program to be the most successful and promising area of cooperation with China in the military-technical cooperation sphere.
Russia also assisted China in developing this aircraft. In particular, the Yakovlev Design Bureau provided assistance in evaluating the aircraft concept and provided scientific and technical support for the L-15 training aircraft project for three years. The contract provided for cooperation on the L-15 program at the preliminary design stage from 2003 to 2005. Then came amendments to it, extending the Yakovlev Design Bureau's participation in the Chinese program.
L-15 has a maximum take-off weight of 9800 kg. The practical ceiling is 16500 m. The length of the aircraft is 12,27 m, the wingspan is 9,48 m. The design of the aircraft is 25% made of carbon composite materials. Lifetime - 10 thous. Flight hours or 30 years. TCB L-15 is designed for training pilots of aircraft such as J-10, J-11, F-16 and others.
According to the developers, the cost of L-15 will be significantly lower than its counterparts. In particular, the operating cost will be approximately 10 million dollars in the base case, and will vary depending on the configuration. This aircraft, according to the developers, will have good prospects in the global TCB / UBS market. First of all, its potential customers consider countries that are operators of the K-8 Karakorum. In the global market, L-15 will be a direct competitor to M-346, T-50 and Yak-130.
Air Force representatives from several African countries, including Namibia and the DRC, have already held preliminary talks with the Chinese side on the acquisition of L-15. The Venezuelan government is also assessing the possibility of acquiring L-15. It is planned that the decision on the purchase of new aircraft will be made after receiving the K-8 Karakorum ordered from China.
Information