Supersonic combat trainer aircraft L-15 .

Well-known is the fact that the last 10 years, China is the largest buyer of Russian military products, including in the field of aeronautical engineering. However, it is quite obvious that the gradual saturation of the Chinese market of the Russian military equipment and arms could not lead to a shift of emphasis in the Chinese leadership pursued a policy of military-technical cooperation (MTC) with Russia.

At the present stage of development of Russian-Chinese military-technical cooperation of most interest the Chinese side is to cooperate with Russia in the transfer of military technology, as well as joint research and development work on several projects of a defensive nature. Moreover, the orientation for joint development with the Russian enterprises in high technology and, in particular in the field of aeronautical science and technology in China has been taking a sustainable trend.

Among the Russian aircraft design bureaus a special position in the field of cooperation with China is "Yakovlev Design Bureau, which has a unique technological advance in areas such as unmanned aerial vehicles, training and training and combat-capable trainer aircraft, as well as civil and near-average monthly magistral-aircraft.

In recent years the Chinese aviation industry, employees need to learn the latest high-tech, drew attention to the potential that Yakovlevskaya firm in the development of fusion / UBS and civilian aircraft.

As the CEO, "Yakovlev, Oleg Demchenko, during the last three years the Russian firm commissioned by the Chinese corporation AVIC-2 (Aviation Industry of China / Second Group) has provided advice and prepared the engineering note on the concept of a supersonic fusion L-15, development of which conducted in the PRC.

This aircraft will replace an outdated K-8 and can compete in the Chinese market TCB with the aircraft FTC-2000, the prepared Corporation AVIC-1.

According to Oleg Demchenko, a Russian firm to assist in assessing the concept of a supersonic fusion and provides scientific and technical support for this project.

As expected, full-size mock aircraft L-15 will be shown during the Airshow China eyrshou-2004 Zhuhai.

"We are satisfied with cooperation with the Chinese side on the project L-15 and can celebrate a very advanced level of aviation specialists in China.

It is not excluded that the corporation AVIC-2 can continue to collaborate with us on the program supersonic TCB, in the realization that the Chinese experts and take into account our experience to create a subsonic Yak-130 " - said Oleg Demchenko.

The prevailing so far in the world system of training military pilots based on the use of the learning process TCB three classes: initial, basic and advanced training.

The Chinese side is making a bet for re-national air forces of modern multi-role fighters, needs to present original fusion and advanced training.

In contrast to the concept of flow of TCB increased training, adopted in the Russian Air Force in China have chosen to create a supersonic fusion of this type. "The Russian Air Force for approximately 90% of the total basic training military pilots are flying at subsonic thermonuclear fusion, the operation of which is cheaper than supersonic aircraft.

To retrain from subsonic to supersonic TCB combat aircraft during flight training have increased only 10% of the required instructional time, "- said Oleg Demchenko.

Experts believe that for TCB increased training capacity of the Chinese market can be quite significant. At the same time, in their opinion, in the short term, this volume is unlikely to exceed 200 supersonic car type L-15.

"Aerospace Complex" , Vol.3, N4, 2004

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The company CATIC presented at the Dubai eyrshou - 2005 model final training aircraft L-15.As reported korr.ARMS-TASS on the stand a Chinese company, the first flight L-15 will be held in December this year. This aircraft will be on display at an exhibition in Zhuhai in 2006.

According to sources, TCB L-15 is similar to the South Korean aircraft T-50 and is designed to train pilots 4 th generation F-16.

The special features of design L-15 can carry a smooth conjugation of the wing to the fuselage, the large edge of the wing leading edge, digitally-wire flight control system with a 4-fold redundancy, the ability to fly at high angles of attack, a glass cockpit with a display on the windshield HUD (Head -up Display), mode HOTAS (Hands-on Throttle and Stick - all basic operations of the pilot can perform, without taking your hands off the handle control of the aircraft and engine) widescreen multi-function display MFD (Multifunction Display).

TCB L-15 has a maximum takeoff weight of 9800 kg. It is equipped with two engines or AI-222K-25F, or DV-2 with 4200 kg thrust in afterburner. These motors provide maximum LTH when flying at speeds up to M = 1.5, rate of climb 250 m / sec at sea level, controlled flight at angles of attack up to 30 degrees. and ceiling of 16,500 m.

The design of the aircraft by 25% is made of carbon composite materials. Lifetime - 10 thousand flight hours or 30 years.

CATIC representatives noted that the cost of L-15 will be significantly lower than that of its counterparts. In particular, the operating cost of approximately $ 10 million in Baz version and will vary depending on the configuration.

The cost of servicing the aircraft will be almost two times lower than those of competitors, the developers stressed the L-15.

They believe that this aircraft will have good market prospects TCB, and probably particularly interested in those potential customers who currently buys TCB K-8 Karakorum.

Korr.ARMS-TASS