On November 2, the Chinese group of companies Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) held a presentation of the promising light trainer aircraft L-15B, which is an option for the further development of existing technology. The car with the letter "B" differs from its predecessors in some important features, which can give it a great future. Consider a promising Chinese project and its advantages.
Joint development
Both the current L-15B and the previous vehicles of the family are interesting in their origins. Formally, the aircraft is considered a Chinese design, but foreign enterprises took an active part in its creation. The production of serial equipment is also critically dependent on imports. In fact, in the projects of the L-15 line, the experience of the aircraft manufacturers of the former USSR has been implemented.
The lead developer of the basic L-15 was the HAIG group. A large role in the work was assigned to the Russian company Yakovlev. The Ukrainian company Motor Sich was responsible for the development and production of the power plant for Chinese aircraft at all stages.
The use of foreign experience and developments, external similarity and other factors have long led to the emergence of curious assessments. So, the L-15 and its derivatives are often called the Chinese version of the Russian Yak-130 trainer.
To date, the production of aircraft is localized as much as possible, however, despite all the development options, the family is based on the developments of Russian designers. Also, Ukrainian engines are still used. Even the latest L-15B is to a certain extent based on foreign experience. However, this is not a minus of the aircraft.
Design features
The L-15B is a normal aerodynamic combat trainer with a mid-wing and two engines. In the manufacture of the airframe, carbon composites are widely used - about a quarter of the structure. Due to this, the declared resource of the units reaches 30 years.
The first prototypes of the L-15 were equipped with Ukrainian-made DV-2 and DV-2F turbojet engines. Later they were replaced by more powerful AI-222-25F products. The latter develop a thrust of 2500 kgf without afterburner and 4200 kgf with an afterburner. It is argued that the replacement of the DV-2 with the AI-222-25F made the aircraft of the family supersonic and provided them with the required flight and takeoff and landing characteristics.
The L-15B differs from the basic model in its increased characteristics and new capabilities, which led to the need for certain improvements. The most noticeable change is the external suspension points under the fuselage and wing. The L-15B receives nine points for weapons or other outboard units. Previously, the HAIG group promoted the UBS L-15AW with similar equipment. However, this aircraft had only seven points of suspension.
Onboard equipment
The most interesting innovations take place in the field of avionics. To effectively solve combat missions, the promising UBS L-15B must use a full-fledged sighting and navigation system with a radar station, weapons control equipment, etc. For comparison, the basic L-15 trainer, according to known data, had very limited combat capabilities.
It is reported that the L-15B is equipped with a new aircraft radar with a passive phased array. It is interfaced with a digital weapons control system. There is also information about the use of an on-board defense system. With its help, the aircraft must detect enemy attacks and escape from under the impact. The type of BKO, its composition and principles of operation are still unknown.
In fact, we are talking about a deep modernization of the original set of avionics, taking into account the new purpose of the aircraft. The training L-15 had equipment mainly for piloting and training pilots, while the combat training L-15B received instruments that corresponded to its tasks.
Weapon complex
Due to the new onboard equipment and suspension units, the L-15B is capable of solving a wide range of combat missions. This aircraft can be used to combat air targets or as a front-line attack aircraft. The new equipment and weapons make it possible to obtain good combat qualities, but in terms of general characteristics, the UBS L-15B should be inferior to specialized aircraft.
The combat load of the Chinese aircraft reaches 3.5 tons. Nine knots are used for its suspension. Three nodes are located under the fuselage, three more - under the planes. There is no built-in weaponry. If necessary, the L-15B can carry a suspended container with machine gun or cannon armament and ammunition.
The aircraft can use several types of guided air-to-air missiles. Of greatest interest in this context is compatibility with the PL-12 medium-range missile. With the help of such weapons, the UBS L-15B can hit targets at ranges of about 70 km. There are several short-range missiles to choose from. However, in terms of air-to-air capabilities, the new aircraft is inferior to other combat vehicles.
Unguided rockets and bombs of various types can be used to destroy ground targets. According to some reports, the L-15B avionics provide the use of corrected bombs.
A course for versatility
According to the available data, the promising training and combat aircraft Hongdu L-15B retains the necessary capabilities for training flight personnel, but at the same time it becomes a full-fledged combat unit. This versatility has obvious advantages, although it is not without its drawbacks.
It should be noted that the current L-15B is not the first UBS in its family. The basic L-15 is capable of carrying weapons, and then the L-15AW project was proposed - an aircraft with improved combat capabilities. However, the current version with the letter "B" has advantages over previous developments. By improving various components of the structure, it was possible to increase the takeoff weight, incl. combat load, expand the range of weapons, etc. Flight characteristics have increased in some way.
Commercial prospects
The entire UTS / UBS L-15 family was created with an eye on the sale of equipment to the Chinese army and foreign customers. The same applies to the latest model L-15B. Nothing is known about orders for this aircraft yet, but information on the sale of previous modifications can be used for new estimates.
Since 2013, L-15 aircraft have been supplied to the PLA Air Force, where they are used to train tactical aviation pilots. In 2018, it became known about the supply of such equipment to the PLA Navy. The purchase was carried out in the interests of training units of naval aviation, incl. deck. In 2017, a shipment of six L-15 aircraft left China for Zambia.
Several other countries have shown interest in purchasing Hongdu L-15. Negotiations were underway with Pakistan. The technique was studied by specialists from Uruguay. Since 2014, it has been repeatedly talked about the possible deployment of licensed production of L-15 in Odessa. However, so far no agreements have been signed with these countries.
In 2017, it became known that the Zambian Air Force was satisfied with the first batch of Chinese aircraft and wish to purchase new aircraft. The subject of a new order could be both the basic L-15 trainer and the improved combat trainer L-15B. At the time of this news, the construction of the first experimental L-15B was underway. As far as is known, the new Sino-Zambian treaty has not yet been signed.
The successes of the base L-15 aircraft roughly show the potential prospects for the newer L-15B. The latter is really able to interest potential customers and be mass-produced. However, one should hardly count on large contracts and large production volumes. Even with significant advantages over the base machine, the L-15B gains limited prospects in the domestic and international markets.
Demonstration of possibilities
The L-15 family trainer aircraft demonstrates several interesting things. The first example of this line showed that China is capable of building modern trainer aircraft - although to create them it required significant assistance from foreign enterprises. Nevertheless, in this case, the new L-15 entered service with the two countries, and also interested several other states.
The new L-15B project demonstrates China's ability to develop finished structures, incl. created in the framework of international cooperation. By redesigning and re-equipping the existing design, the HAIG group was able to present a combat trainer aircraft with a very wide range of capabilities. However, it still needs key foreign-made components.
The L-15B aircraft is brought to the market and offered to potential customers. So far, only one foreign country has become interested in this car, but soon the situation may change. What will be the future of the new project HAIG - it will be known later. Aircraft supply contracts may appear at any time.
