Hyundai Aviation Industry Corp. (HAIC - Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation) completed the development of a two-seat supersonic jet TCB / UBS L-15 and began preparations for the small-scale production phase. This was reported by the Xinhua news agency, RIA Novosti reports.
At the moment, 5 prototypes of the L-15 have been assembled, the last of which will be used as a base option for the development of small-scale production.
At the same time, the development of the L-15 continues. The assembly of the sixth prototype UTS / UBS L-15 is now being completed at the Hundu enterprise, which will be equipped with an AI-222-25F bypass turbojet engine with an afterburner. Motor Sich OJSC handed over AI-222-25F engines to Hyundai for installation on the sixth prototype in June this year.
The first flight of the sixth prototype L-15 with a new power plant of increased power as part of flight tests is scheduled for September 2010. It is this sample that will be executed in the final configuration. Another version with the same afterburner-equipped engine is expected to be ready in 2011.
Hyundai has also started design work to create a single-seat version of the aircraft. In the near future, a version of a light attack aircraft will be created on the basis of the TCB. Currently, "Hundu" is considering options for its armament. This modification will be offered for delivery to the PLA Air Force and for export. The creation of a version of the aircraft for the Navy is not excluded.
For the first time, Hyundai announced its intention to equip the L-15 with an afterburner during the China Air Show 2008 international exhibition. The AI-222-25F engine provides up to 4200 kg of thrust in afterburner mode. The L-15 aircraft with this engine will be able to reach speeds of up to 1.6M.
Simultaneously with the flight tests of the AI-222-25F, Motor Sich JSC continues the development of improved versions of the AI-222-28F and AI-222-30F with a thrust of 4500 and 5000 kg, respectively. These engines can be fitted to the later and heavier variants of the L-15, as well as other Chinese platforms.
Ukraine considers the L-15 program to be the most successful and promising area of cooperation with China in the field of military-technical cooperation.
Russia has also assisted China in developing this aircraft. In particular, the Yakovlev Design Bureau for three years assisted in evaluating the concept of the aircraft and provided scientific and technical support for the L-15 TCB project. The contract provided for cooperation on the L-15 program at the preliminary design stage from 2003 to 2005. This was followed by additions to it, extending the participation of the Yakovlev Design Bureau in the Chinese program.
The L-15 has a maximum takeoff weight of 9800 kg. Service ceiling - 16,500 m. The length of the aircraft is 12, 27 m, the wingspan is 9, 48 m. The aircraft structure is 25% made of carbon composite materials. The service life is 10 thousand flight hours or 30 years. The L-15 TCB is designed to train pilots of J-10, J-11, F-16 and others.
According to the developers, the cost of the L-15 will be significantly lower than that of its counterparts. In particular, the operating cost will be approximately $ 10 million in the base case, and will vary depending on the configuration. This aircraft, according to the developers, will have good prospects in the world TCB / UBS market. First of all, its potential customers are considered countries that are operators of the K-8 "Karakorum" TCB. On the world market, the L-15 will be a direct competitor to the M-346, T-50 and Yak-130.
Representatives of the air forces of several African countries, including Namibia and the DRC, have already held preliminary negotiations with the Chinese side on the acquisition of the L-15. The Venezuelan government is also evaluating the possibility of acquiring the L-15. It is planned that the decision on the purchase of new aircraft will be made after receiving the ordered in China TCB K-8 "Karakorum".
