Defence
China Unveils JL-10: Advanced Trainer Jet for Future Chinese Pilots
The JL-10 is a twin-engine supersonic trainer and light attack aircraft featuring advanced avionics, fly-by-wire controls, and a 3.5-ton payload capacity.
China has officially unveiled its latest advanced trainer aircraft, the JL-10 (also known as the L-15), developed by the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group. This supersonic jet is designed for both advanced pilot training and light combat missions.
First taking to the skies in 2013, the JL-10 is specifically engineered to prepare pilots for operating fourth-generation fighter jets. Its key design features include a twin-engine setup, a blended wing-body aerodynamic structure, and a digital fly-by-wire control system—all of which enhance the aircraft’s stability and maneuverability.
Constructed using composite materials, the JL-10 offers improved durability and safety. Its unique aerodynamic design, including large strakes and a blended wing-body layout, generates lift-producing vortices, enabling sustained maneuvers at high angles of attack. The air intakes are equipped with double-level notches and are paired with optimized engine thrust for better performance.
The cockpit, shaped in a teardrop design, features a stepped seating configuration that accommodates both the cadet and the instructor. This arrangement provides excellent visibility for both occupants, which is critical during training missions and enhances overall situational awareness.
Beyond its primary role as a trainer, the JL-10 is capable of conducting light attack operations. It supports a maximum external payload of 3.5 tons, with six hardpoints under the wings and one on the fuselage. These mounting stations allow the aircraft to carry gun pods, munitions, or various mission-specific equipment for close air support and combat tasks.
The JL-10 is a product of Hongdu’s long-standing aviation heritage in Nanchang, a city that has been central to China’s aircraft manufacturing since the 1950s. Historic platforms like the CJ-5—China’s first domestically produced aircraft—along with the CJ-6 and JL-8 trainer jets, also originated from this aviation hub.
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