Hongdu L-15 Falcon
Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation · China · first flew 2006 · fighter
A Chinese advanced jet trainer and light-attack aircraft with twin turbofans, also designated JL-10 in PLA service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin turbofans with side-by-side rear exhausts and fuselage-side intakes |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Prominent forward leading-edge root extensions giving a Hornet-like look
- Twin turbofans with side-by-side rear exhausts and fuselage-side intakes
- Long tandem bubble canopy with a raised rear seat and single swept fin
The forward LERX blending into the forebody recalls a scaled-down Hornet. Twin side intakes and side-by-side exhausts confirm the type.
Specifications
- The Hongdu L-15 Falcon has a length of 12.27 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.48 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1715 km/h (1066 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (pilot, instructor).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from around 2000 with input from Russia's Yakovlev bureau, the L-15 first flew in 2006. The supersonic afterburning version supports lead-in fighter training toward the J-10, J-11 and Su-27.
Variants
Versions include the baseline L-15, the afterburning L-15B, the attack-optimised L-15AW with up to nine hardpoints, and the JL-10 in PLAAF and naval service from around 2019.
Where you'll see it
Operated by China with export interest from several states. Not seen in UK skies.
Related aircraft
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