Hongdu L-15 is a twin engine, advanced Fighter trainer and can be converted into light air-to-ground attack role, manufactured by Hongdu Aviation industry group (HAIG) of China. it's been designed as a rival to Guizhou JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle. The L-15 will be used as a lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF). about five prototypes are built by HAIG.
This new trainer was designed to support the next generation of Chinese fighters, like J-10, which lacked a two-seat trainer version. The L-15 was a direct rival to the Guizhou Aircraft industry Corporation (GAIC) JL-9/FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle in competition for the People's Liberation Army Air Force's (PLAAF) next-generation advanced trainer aircraft program.
The two-engine, two-seat JL-15 reportedly features the newest advanced technologies like digital quadruple fly-by-wire (FBW), glass cockpit, and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) flight control. Advanced features like glass cockpit, HOTAS and digital FBW were expected to be customary. additionally, large leading edge extentions (LEX) almost like those on Russian Yak-130 advanced trainer would offer the aircraft a good angle of attack (AOA). The aerodynamic performance of the aircraft is enhanced by its large leading edge extensions (LEX) design, which provides a maximum angle of attack of 30°. this is very helpful when making an attempt to simulate the maneuvers of advanced fourth-generation fighters like J-10 and J-11.
