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 light-weight 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 Business Group), based mostly in Nanchang, which is thought 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 Army watchers.
By way of „ 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 predominant information community) section in regards to 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 collection of fighters (in distinction to the one vertical stabilizer on the JL-10), and the addition of dual ventral stabilizers paying homage to that on the J-20 collection.
The presence of wingtip hardpoints and a grey radome (that might level to an onboard radar) strongly trace to the JL-XX being a twin use light-combat and LIFT (Lead-In Fighter Coaching) plane, akin to platforms like South Korea’s KAI FA-50. This fashion, the plane would additionally have the ability 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 present function two superior trainers of their stock: the JJ-7-based JL-9, and the extra superior JL-10. Whereas the 2 trainers have 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 replicate 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 more cost effective 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 parts like its WP-13 engine and mechanical flight management system. Its lineage is pretty apparent when trying on the tail part of the plane, however the entrance fuselage and avionics have been utterly modernized. Export variations designated FTC-2000 have been additionally bought to a number of clients just like the air forces of Sudan and Myanmar for use as an economical mild assault jet.
Its naval variant, designated because the JL-9G, was initially outfitted 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 mandatory for provider pilots, resembling strengthened touchdown gear, enlarged wings, vanguard 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 fashionable resolution. It options two engines, digital fly-by-wire controls, a glass cockpit, and optionally available 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). Additionally it is exported below the designation L-15, and has thus far been ordered by nations just like the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Zambia.
Not a lot is thought about its naval model, though at the least one mockup has been sighted on the soon-to-be commissioned Fujian. It’s imagined 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.
Concerning 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
