L-15B Light Attack Aircraft

The L-15B is a twin-engine, supersonic light attack and lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft developed by China's Hongdu Aviation Industry Group. It is an upgraded, combat-oriented variant of the base L-15 trainer, designed to perform light attack, air defense, and tactical reconnaissance missions. Equipped with a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar and multiple weapon hardpoints, it offers a cost-effective multi-role combat capability.

The L-15 program began in the early 2000s to meet the PLA Air Force's requirement for a modern lead-in fighter trainer, with the base aircraft first flying in 2006. The L-15B variant was officially unveiled in 2017, featuring upgraded afterburning turbofan engines to achieve supersonic speeds. It was designed specifically to bridge the gap between advanced training and actual combat operations, featuring nine hardpoints for guided munitions and air-to-air missiles. While primarily targeted at the export market, the development of the L-15B highlights China's capability to produce high-performance, multi-role light combat aircraft for secondary defense roles.