FTC-2000S versions. The rst aircraft
rolled o the assembly line in June 2017
and the initial batch was delivered the
following November. In the meantime,
the Nigerian Air Force has also expressed
interest, probably eyeing the latest,
further improved FTC-2000G.
In contrast to the FTC-2000S for
Sudan — which is essentially a variant
of the standard JL-9 — the FTC-2000G
employs the stronger airframe of
the navalized JL-9G with the DSI
intake and repro led tail. It also has
improved aerodynamics and increased
fuel capacity. According to AVIC, the
FTC-2000G is aimed as an a ordable,
versatile aircraft for di erent types of
training as well as combat missions. It
features up to seven hardpoints for a
maximum armament load of 6,614lb
(3,000kg). Several observers have
earmarked the FTC-2000G as a potential
successor to many of the older MiG-21and F-7 ghters in south-east Asia
and Africa, and as a competitor to the
JF-17 Thunder.A new generation
Perhaps the most eagerly awaited
trainer to enter PLAAF and PLA Naval
Aviation service is the Hongdu JL-10
Falcon. This type — which began life
with the export designation L-15 — is
an advanced jet trainer (AJT) developed
with technical assistance from Yakovlev
OKB. The JL-10 was designed to school
pilots for a new generation of Chinese
ghters including the J-10, J-11, J-15,
J-16 and J-20.
From the outset it was planned to
develop two di erent versions: the
standard JL-10/L-15A AJT, powered by
two Ukrainian AI-222-25 turbofans, and
a dedicated L-15B LIFT, powered by
two AI-222-25Fs with afterburning to
provide supersonic capability.As a new design based on the Yak-130,
the JL-10 makes use of a more modern
airframe — especially in comparison
with the rival JL-9 — with prominent
leading-edge root extensions (LERXes),
a large vertical tail n and a modern
aerodynamic con guration which is
expected to allow maneuvers at angles
of attack of up to 30 per cent. The
cockpit is much more advanced than
that of the JL-9 — it’s a fully digital
glass environment with HUD, three
color MFDs, hands on throttle and
stick (HOTAS) controls and three-axis
quadruplex digital FBW. For weapons
training, the JL-10 has four underwing
and two wingtip pylons for a wide
variety of stores plus an optional gun
pod underneath the fuselage. The
standard JL-10 is equipped with a small
radar, while the L-15B can even carry
a small passive electronically scanned
array (PESA) re-control radar.Top: These
JL-10Hs are the
fi rst of the type to
enter service with
the Naval Aviation
School. The new
trainers were
formally inducted
at Suizhong air
base on August 3
this year.
Above left to
right: JL-9 ‘4181’
serves with the
PLAAF’s Aviation
University/Flight
Instructor Training
Base, 4th Training
Regiment.
This JL-10A is
equipped with
a PESA radar to
serve as an L-15B
demonstrator.EYE ON THE EAST // CHINESE TRAINERS
26 December 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net