PL-17
The PL-17 (
History and development
The missile was tested on a
Su-35 fighters.[5] It's understood that PL-17 is a separate development from the ramjet-powered PL-21 (PL-XX).[2][6] In October 2022, Chinese state media reported that the PL-17 entered PLAAF service.[7]
Design
PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at 6 m (20 ft) long (whereas
AIM-120 are measured around 4 m (13 ft) long), which contains more solid fuel. The extended length makes the missile unfit for the internal weapons bay of the Chengdu J-20. During the flight, PL-17 would rely on inertial guidance, satellite navigation, and data-link to track targets. During the terminal phase, the missile would turn on its multimode seeker with both active AESA radar and IR-homing to track the target autonomously. The missile features a low-drag profile, and maneuverability is provided by four small control fins and thrust-vectoring engines.[8] The range is reportedly between 300–500 km (190–310 mi) by various media, or 400 km (250 mi) class by Royal United Services Institute[8] with a top speed in excess of Mach 4.[6][7]
See also
- PL-15 – (People's Republic of China)
- PL-21 – (People's Republic of China)
- Astra – (India)
- R-37M – (Russia)
References
- ^ Barrie, Douglas (20 January 2024). "Air-to-air missiles push the performance, payload envelope". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- ^ a b Barrie, Douglas (8 October 2021). "China fires longer-range AAM at export market". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- ^ Williams, Zachary (21 November 2022). "Takeaways From China's Zhuhai Air Show 2022". The Diplomat.
- ^ Rogoway, Tyler (21 November 2016). "Shadowy New Missile Appears Under the Wing of Chinese J-16 Fighter". The Drive.
- ^ PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China's Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces (PDF) (Report). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. 2022.
- ^ a b Newdick, Thomas (1 September 2022). "A Guide To China's Increasingly Impressive Air-To-Air Missile Inventory". The Drive.
- ^ a b "一剑封喉/霹雳17远攻 空空导弹之王". Ta Kung Pao. 28 November 2022.
- ^ ISSN 1750-9432.
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