Progress-Ivchenko's new fighter jet engine

A new lightweight single-engine fighter with Ukrainian engine? Progress-Ivchenko sure thinks there's a need for this new 9,500kg engine. The original AI-222f-25k engine its based on had an output of 2500kgf and 4200kgf with afterburners.

"Speculation grows"? Both the J-10 and JF-17 are declassified and shown at airshows. Could the author, Reuben Johnson, be talking of a 5th generation single engine fighter? That makes no sense for the PLAAF to develop another single engine fighter so soon after the J-10B. It can't be for the JL-15 since the author mentions it in another sentence.

Geographer said:

"Speculation grows"? Both the J-10 and JF-17 are declassified and shown at airshows. Could the author, Reuben Johnson, be talking of a 5th generation single engine fighter? That makes no sense for the PLAAF to develop another single engine fighter so soon after the J-10B. It can't be for the JL-15 since the author mentions it in another sentence.

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He was saying there was speculation in that regard, in the opening paragraph. i.e. speculation being that the new engine is for a lightweight single engine stealth fighter, the smaller counterpart of the J-20.

You can't make a light weight stealth fighter... period.

siegecrossbow said:

You can't make a light weight stealth fighter... period.

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depends on how light your definition is

XF-5 for Shinshin is 5000kgf each, and its a twin engine design

Setting up a production line for these engines in China would be another source of information and experience in aero engine production to China. The experience Progress-Ivchenko would gain from this production line would increase their hand in designing further engines.

You could built a lightweight stealth fighter, if you intended only to use it for air to air combat (though it would come with some disadvantages).

siegecrossbow said:

You can't make a light weight stealth fighter... period.

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Technically, you can, if it's something like the monster they're using on the F-35...

But a single-engine stealth fighter would suffer limits in terms of range and payload, for stealth designs doesn't agreed well with fuel-efficient airframe designs, even after application of RAM material.

It’ll be interesting to see if the L-15 is installed with these power plants and is converted into a single seat combat aircraft. It could be as sucsessful as the F-5E when to converted from the T-38. This new engine maybe just what it needs.

This powerplant will produce twice the afterburner thrust as the current engine. Does anyone know what the non-afterburning thrust rating is?

Some forum member have speculated that the L-15 will be made into a light strike aircraft. However, I see it going the same road as the F-5, an inexpensive and capable second line/point defense fighter. Any throughts?

9500kg is the new medium thrust engine project objective, maybe they simply bought the design? This engine would be a RD33 class power plant, way larger than what the L15 needs.