China’s next-generation coach, constructed by HAIG, lastly emerged and carried out its maiden flight.
After a lot anticipation, China’s next-generation coach and lightweight fight plane carried out its maiden flight on Oct. 28, 2025. The plane was photographed each on the bottom and within the air, nonetheless sporting a yellow primer coating and carrying no seen serials.
The JL-XX
The brand new plane is developed by HAIG (Hongdu Aviation Trade Group), based mostly in Nanchang, which is understood for creating the CJ-6, JL-8, and JL-10 trainers for the PLA (Folks’s Liberation Military). The jet’s designation has not but been formally introduced, and thus is known as the JL-XX by Chinese language Navy watchers.
Through „ ACuriousPLAFan“/SDF:
„ Seems that “mini-Hornet” i.e. JL-10 with twin vertical stabilizers isn’t precisely fan-fiction.
Posted by @琴石2022 on Weibo.“ pic.twitter.com/Fi6cwox9Vx
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) Might 6, 2024
Footage of the brand new coach first emerged this July, when it was briefly seen within the background of a CCTV (China’s most important information community) section concerning the JL-10. Nevertheless, that is the primary time that it has been photographed in flight.
The JL-XX seems to be largely a clean-sheet design, although it attracts on the JL-10’s design heritage. Among the many variations are a brand new, redesigned nosecone, twin canted vertical stabilizers – intently resembling those on the J-35 sequence of fighters (in distinction to the only vertical stabilizer on the JL-10), and the addition of dual ventral stabilizers harking back to that on the J-20 sequence.
The presence of wingtip hardpoints and a grey radome (that would level to an onboard radar) strongly trace to the JL-XX being a twin use light-combat and LIFT (Lead-In Fighter Coaching) plane, corresponding to platforms like South Korea’s KAI FA-50. This manner, the plane would additionally be capable to fill different roles along with merely coaching new pilots.
The JL-XX is believed to be powered by twin “Minshan” turbofan engines ,rated at roughly 4,000-5,000 kgf thrust every, changing the 2 Ukrainian AI-222-25 that energy the JL-10. The precise designation for the engines stays unconfirmed, with competing reviews figuring out them because the WS-17 or the WS-12.
Different Superior Trainers in service with the PLA
The PLAAF (Folks’s Liberation Military Air Power) and PLANAF (Folks’s Liberation Military Navy Air Power) at the moment function two superior trainers of their stock: the JJ-7-based JL-9, and the extra superior JL-10. Whereas the 2 trainers had been developed at roughly the identical time interval – with the JL-9 first flying in 2003 and the JL-10 in 2006 – the 2 designs mirror a contrasting design philosophy.
…… and it even alread pic.twitter.com/UnP3sSV3Av
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 28, 2025
The JL-9 was developed as a less expensive resolution based mostly on the JJ-7 coach, which was itself derived from the J-7 – the MiG-21 variant produced by the Chinese language – and shares many widespread elements like its WP-13 engine and mechanical flight management system. Its lineage is pretty apparent when wanting on the tail part of the plane, however the entrance fuselage and avionics had been fully modernized. Export variations designated FTC-2000 had been additionally offered to a number of clients just like the air forces of Sudan and Myanmar for use as a cheap mild assault jet.
Its naval variant, designated because the JL-9G, was initially geared up with a tailhook, but it surely prompted an excessive amount of stress on the airframe and was thus eliminated on the manufacturing variants and thus it’s only in a position to simulate ski-jump takeoffs from land bases and touchdown with out arresting gear. The jet additionally options a number of enhancements on the baseline JL-9 to permit for extra maneuverability and management at decrease speeds, as obligatory for provider pilots, comparable to strengthened touchdown gear, enlarged wings, forefront slats and root extensions. It additionally contains a DSI just like the FTC-2000, and later blocks additionally use a holographic HUD (Heads Up Show) like that on the JL-10.
The JL-10, alternatively, was developed as a extra trendy resolution. It options two engines, digital fly-by-wire controls, a glass cockpit, and non-obligatory afterburning turbofans, and was developed by HAIG with technical help from Yakovlev (who had beforehand teamed up with Aermacchi to develop the M-346 earlier than breaking off to design the Yak-130, thus the JL-10’s uncanny likeliness to the M-346 and Yak-130). It’s also exported underneath the designation L-15, and has up to now been ordered by nations just like the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Zambia.
Not a lot is understood about its naval model, though a minimum of one mockup has been sighted on the soon-to-be commissioned Fujian. It’s alleged to characteristic a bigger dorsal air brake, a bigger wing space, reshaped horizontal and vertical stabilizers, along with the modifications required for an plane to function from carriers.
Relating to the rumoured JL-10J carrier-capable jet coach, one other trace was noticed subsequent to the provider Fujian: It seems to be an unfinished JL-10J mockup saved on the dockside .
So query is: Two tails as proven within the newest CG or only one just like the common JL-10? pic.twitter.com/BM8W8MRGWK
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) March 19, 2024
