Last in their class: China's JL-9 and JL-10 combat-trainer aircraft
JL-9 combat training aircraft of the PLAAF. Photo by Airwar.ru
By now the fighter aviation The Chinese Air Force and Navy have completely switched to 4th generation aircraft and are gradually mastering newer technology. In parallel with these processes, a fleet of modern combat training aircraft is being built to provide training for personnel. Currently, the training process for pilots for modern fighter aviation is based on two aircraft - the JL-9 and JL-10.
For the fourth generation
In the late nineties, Guizhou Aviation Industry Company (GAIC) began developing a new combat training aircraft (CTA). The project received the factory designation FTC-2000, and later it was officially assigned the JL-9. The goal of the project was to create a CTA for training pilots who would operate 4th generation fighters.
The development of the new project took only a few years. Already in 2001, materials on it were presented at one of the Chinese exhibitions, and soon the construction of the first flying prototype began. The first flight of this machine took place at the end of 2003.
Further testing, refinement and participation in the relevant PLA competitions took several years. The prospects of the FTC-2000/JL-9 project were determined only in the early XNUMXs. The aircraft satisfied the PRC Ministry of Defense, and a decision was made to accept it for supply and include it in the pilot training processes.
Production of JL-9G aircraft. Photo GAIC
Serial production of the JL-9 combat training system for the PLAAF training structures began no later than 2013. Soon, this type of equipment was put into service with air force academies and began to be used. According to known data, the JL-9 is used to train or retrain pilots before switching to 4th generation fighters. More complex training is carried out using other equipment.
In 2011, it became known that a training aircraft for naval aviation was being created on the basis of the FTC-2000. The FTC-2000G or JL-9G project provided for some design changes related to the specifics of work on the deck of an aircraft carrier. The nature and scope of the modifications required several years of testing.
The carrier-based combat training system entered serial production in 2018. In September, the first serial JL-9G took to the air, and soon the initial batch was shipped to the customer. Over the next few years, GAIC covered the Navy's needs for such equipment.
Technique in the ranks
The PLA became the main customer of the FTC-2000 / JL-9 aircraft. According to foreign sources, it purchased about 30 such trainers for the Air Force academies. Up to 28 basic modification trainers and at least 10-12 deck JL-9G were built for naval aviation. In total, at least 70 aircraft were built, and they are distributed among several training structures.
In the mid-2018s, the Sudanese armed forces became interested in Chinese FTCs. In 6, they were sent 2000 FTC-2023s in export configuration. At least one of them was destroyed during fighting in XNUMX.
JL-9G and compatible weapons. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In 2020, GAIC received an order from Myanmar. The exact volume is unknown, but 12 UBS have been delivered to the buyer so far. Further deliveries may not be planned.
Technical features
The future FTC-2000 was developed on the basis of the JJ-7 aircraft. This was a two-seat training version of the Chengdu J-7 fighter, a Chinese copy of the Soviet MiG-21. The original design was radically redesigned, with only individual features and solutions retained. In addition, the onboard equipment was radically changed.
The FTC-2000/JL-9 is built using a normal aerodynamic configuration with a swept wing. Unlike the JJ-7, the nose of the fuselage has a full-fledged pointed fairing, behind which is a tandem two-seat crew cabin. The engine is located in the tail of the fuselage.
The JL-9 is approximately 14,5 m long and has a wingspan of 8,3 m. The maximum take-off weight is 9,8 t.
Various modifications of the UBS use WP-13F and WP-14C turbojet engines. With their help, a maximum speed of 1100 km/h is achieved with a cruising speed of 870 km/h. The ceiling is 16000 m. The ferry range is 2400 km.
Demonstration aerobatics at one of the exhibitions. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The aircraft has modern avionics and two "glass cockpits". It provides maximum imitation of the operation of the main fighters in service with the PLA Air Force and Navy. It is possible to practice general issues of piloting, maneuvering, use of weapons, etc.
The JL-9 has limited combat capabilities. It has a built-in 23 mm cannon and 5 external hardpoints. The total payload is 2 tons. The aircraft can carry missiles "air-to-air" or weapon to attack ground targets.
Foreign footprint
Almost simultaneously with GAIC, Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC) was developing its own project of a promising combat aircraft. Its project received the working designation L-15, and later the aircraft was assigned the index JL-10.
As it became known later, when forming the general concept of the L-15 project, the HAIC corporation turned to the Russian company Yakovlev for help. Specialists from Russia consulted their colleagues and shared some ideas. Such cooperation ultimately determined the appearance, main features and capabilities of the Chinese UBS.
JL-10 combat training aircraft. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Materials on the L-15 project appeared at exhibitions in 2001-2002. By the middle of the decade, the development was completed, and the first flying prototype was built. It took to the air in March 2006. Probably, new prototypes were built later. Their testing continued until the beginning of the XNUMXs.
The L-15 performed well, and no later than 2015-16, an order was placed for the delivery of serial combat trainers for the Air Force and Navy. These machines entered service under the official designation JL-10. Interestingly, by this time HAIC had already received orders from its first foreign customers.
In 2010, it became known about the development of a modernized L-15B aircraft. It was supposed to receive a new engine capable of providing supersonic flight speed. Tests of the experimental UBS version "B" began in 2017 and lasted until the early twenties.
Several years ago, the first reports appeared about the carrier-based modification of the L-15 / JL-10. This aircraft should have a different design and a modified equipment composition. No later than 2023-24, the carrier-based version reached testing.
Orders and customers
According to known data, the first order for L-15 appeared in 2012. An unnamed foreign country wanted to buy 12 such aircraft. Who this customer was, and whether it was possible to deliver the ordered equipment, is still unknown.
The first production JL-10s, 2015. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In 2014, a second order was placed with the Zambian Air Force purchasing six aircraft. They were built and delivered to the customer in 2016-17.
During the same period, deliveries of serial JL-10s to the PLA academies began. According to foreign data, at least 60-65 basic modification aircraft were built for the Air Force and naval aviation. Production is likely to continue.
In 2022, the UAE Armed Forces placed an order for 12 L-15 aircraft in the export version with an option for 36. It is assumed that the first batch of this equipment has already been delivered to the customer. If the option is converted into a firm contract, then the construction and delivery of the UBS will take several more years.
A familiar face
The Chinese L-15 UBS is actually built on the basis of ideas taken from the Russian Yak-130 project. This affected its design, equipment composition, functions and capabilities. At the same time, it was not a question of complete copying, and the borrowed ideas were implemented using their own products.
The L-15/JL-10 is a high-wing swept monoplane with a traditional tail design. The fuselage has a pointed nose cone, behind which is a tandem cabin. The wing has developed extensions, under which air intakes are placed. Composites and plastics are widely used in the airframe design.
Cabin L-15/JL-10. Photo Airwar.ru
The total length of the aircraft is 12,4 m, the wingspan is 9,4 m. The maximum takeoff weight is 11,6 tons. The combat load is increased to 3,5 tons.
The UBS is equipped with one turbojet engine. The prototypes used the Polish DV-2 turbojet engine. Later, they switched to Ukrainian-made AI-222-25 engines. The L-15B modification received a forced version of this engine, which will increase the flight speed.
In the basic version, the JL-10 develops high subsonic flight speed. The supersonic modification accelerates to 1600 km/h. The maximum flight range is declared at 2600 km.
Like the JL-9, the L-15 has two cockpits with the maximum possible set of electronics. Instead of traditional indicators, liquid crystal displays are used. The aircraft has a computer-based fly-by-wire control system. The latter allows simulating various fighters. The selected program determines the composition of the virtual "instrumentation", the behavior of the machine in the air, etc.
JL-10 and its armament. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The training aircraft has 9 external hardpoints under the wing and under the fuselage. It can carry missiles to combat air targets, as well as various air-to-ground munitions.
Learning processes
The JL-9 and JL-10 combat trainers were developed at the same time and entered service within a short interval. They are currently used to train PLAAF and PLA Navy pilots, and also serve in several foreign countries.
The two UBS have similar characteristics, but differ in their capabilities and solve different tasks. Thus, the simpler JL-9 aircraft is intended for general training of fighter pilots who will be working on 4th generation equipment.
In turn, the JL-10 has more extensive capabilities and is used for more complex training. In addition, as far as is known, these are the UBS that provide retraining for pilots before switching to new-generation equipment. The ability to simulate different aircraft helps in this matter.
It should be noted that the academies and training units have other types of UBS. A multi-stage system of pilot training and retraining has been created using several models of aviation equipment. At the same time, the JL-9 and JL-10 aircraft are the newest in their class and are designed to solve the most complex and important tasks.
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