Pl-12 is 100km range, pl-12ae is 125 km
so its more of a mid tier missile like the R-77-1, late AIM-120C. better than the early fox 3s but still outclassed by the cracked modern fox 3s like PL-15, R-37M and AIM-120D etc?
The PL-12AE uses the same Rocket motor as the PL-15E but without dual pulse functionality and has larger control surfaces. So its more optimized for close to medium ranges
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When considering LOFT at 10,000 meters and Mach 1.2, the approximate relative range relationship of these missiles is as follows:
Aim-120B < SD-10 < AIm-120C-5 = PL-12 < Aim-120D = PL-12AE < R-37M < Aim-260 < PL-15 < PL-16 < PL-17
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where are you getting your range figures for aim260?
AVIC has published a paper that analyzes the kinetic performance of the AIM-260 based on image-based measurements, with authors from the PLA and the Luoyang Missile Academy.
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thats not very reputable not to mention it falls quite below what were the targets for the program and statements on the weapon
The claimed range for the AIM-260 is 190 km, while this paper give a figure of 265.2 km.
Moreover, the first author of this paper is from the development institution of the PL-15, making it sufficiently credible and potentially even overestimating the performance of the AIM-260.
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the aim120d-3 range varies from 140km to 160km depending on the source, we know it hit as far as 160km in exercises and that record was beat twice, aim260 is stated to be roughly double the range figures for aim120d missiles
not really, its a credible person but estimating the range of a weapon based solely on form factor cannot give very accurate results, rough estimates at best.
Missile flight relies on the laws of physics, not magic. You can’t expect the AIM-260A to achieve the range of the AIM-174B while being the same size as the AIM-120D—especially given that it only achieves a 4% to 7% drag reduction and a 28% increase in total impulse. Unless the officially released U.S. missile renderings are inaccurate, this is simply impossible.
The same article gives that the range of the AIM-120D-3 is 185 km.
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This is purely speculation with no sources.
At least the Chinese paper is done by professionals in the field and is much more credible
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for missile, this can actually provide many information.
with shape, aerodynamic model can be made, so drag and mobility can be known.
and for more details, like this AIM-260, the sectors are also modeled, so the fuel mass is also known, the rest parts usually stays similar.
with all these information, we can model a missile’s rough performance.
of course, missile’s guidance program matters a lot too, especially for modern missiles, I think this paper gives it a optimistic estimation in program
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Is this based off rvv-bd or actual r-37m? Because r-37m != rvv-bd
The range data is derived from HUD footage of R-37M launches by Russian forces during the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Was just surprised it’s so low compared to basically every other missile considering it’s like 500 kg…
It must really benefit from super high altitude launches otherwise it’s a bit disappointing
Is there a figure for launcher/target altitudes and speeds?
it’s an old platform, similar to AIM-54, with low length-diameter ratio, to get enough space for electronic device, causing bigger drag and less propellant ratio.
Russian are bringing back KS-172 long range missile, which would be a true long range killer
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Did the study compare all of these missiles?
Also I thought pl-16 was vaporware
Not vaporware but unknow shape/performance.
many close source suggests there is a missile developed specially for 5th gen planes, even better than folded fin PL-15, could be something like AIM-260 with no middle fins.
considering that PL-15 is almost 10 years old it’s not so strange.
the name was got from a professor’s self introduction, original text is “participate in development of XX-16 air to air missile”.
another rumor is about the “PL-17”'s successor being developing, but this is truly unknow and just a rumor.
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