AIM-120-C7 AMRAAM, I-Derby ER and R-77-1/ RVV-SD equivalent ?
I guess in the future J-10C/J-10CE, JF-17C, J-11BG/J-11BGH, J-15T and J-16 mounted PL-12A/PL-12AE
Better or equivalent Python 4 & AIM-9X Blk I ?
PL-15E is AMRAAM
AIM-120D and Metoer equivalent ?
And PL-12A/PL-12AE ?
Are the words from display boards in the Zhuhai airshow? If possible, is there a photo directly showing the display boards? Otherwise I fear there will be some difficulties to get Gaijin to accept this as evidence.
This is the data released by AVIC, there is no display board
I mean they do take AVIC website as ‘credible source’ so a tweet should be fine.
Air Force Developing AMRAAM Replacement to Counter China | Air & Space Forces Magazine
Considering AIM-260 was developed to counter Pl-15, It’s safe to assume that PL-15 is between AIM-120D and AIM-260 performance wise. Now there are reports saying that AIM-120D may reaching 200km range with some battery tweaks, but I seriously doubt it would have sufficient maneuverability at such range.
PL-15 is at the very least better than AIM-120D in range. The US deciding to field stopgap AIM-174 before AIM-260 enters service shows how concerning the PL-15 is.
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It shows they’re more concerned about countering Chinese Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles than anything else. Everyone overhypes the anti air usages of the AIM-174B.
AIM-174 is not some stop-gap. It is a multi-purpose ordnance tailored for the Navy and serves to fulfill a great many separate and unrelated roles. The F-18 should already be fielding AIM-260 to counter the PL-15 anyway.
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I’d imagine PLAAF will eventually provide an answer to AIM-260. This year at Zhuhai was quite unexpected in terms of scale, and it showcased the impressive development speed of Chinese equipment.
The PL-17 is a thing with a claimed range of about 400km, the missile was fitted on the J-16 a while ago and entered service in 2022 apparently (alleged by Chinese media - most likely true lol).
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The PL-15 is already larger, incorporating newer propellants and lighter electronics could already achieve this in theory. There is no need for a more drastic development. Their main focus instead should be on producing a newer fighter with a lower radar cross section that is more easily maintained and mass producible.
This is not an analogue to the AIM-260, it serves an entirely different purpose.
not that large, it’s almost same weight as PL-12. Its range is achieved by dual pulse rocket. though new PL-12A has same layout asPL-15, possibly has same rocket and electronics as PL-15, while keep the larger fins to get better range than old PL-12, and better close range mobility than PL-15.
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Do you have a source for that? AIM-260 for example is supposed to be an AMRAAM replacement in AMRAAM form factor. The PL-15 is an inch larger in diameter and has 30% more internal volume than an AMRAAM for propellant due to that change alone not to mention the increased length.
Not going to make assumptions on the stealth performance of J-35A, but it definitely fits the bill for being more easy to produce than J-20 and at a lesser cost.
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Because the PL12 was already larger than the AIM120 series, PLAAF’s technology was not as advanced as that of the United States at the time, so the PL12’s performance could only reach the level of AIM120 with a larger size. After our technical level caught up with the United States, the PL15 with the same size as PL12 naturally performed better. Here is a photo of J16 showing PL12, PL15, PL17, and PL10 at the same time. You can refer to their sizes
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Obviously, you missed the point entirely. Why would the PL-15 need to be replaced with an entirely new missile design of some sort when they could just focus on advancements in electronics, weight, spacing, and propellant performance?
They did the same with the AIM-120 over the years and saw incremental improvements, no reason they couldn’t advance the PL-15 as well… and that is all beside the point that the PL-17 isn’t necessary to counter the American missiles at all - it serves an entirely different purpose altogether.
PL-12 is 3.934m long, 203mm diameter, and 199kg, PL-15 is 3.996m long, 203mm diameter, 210kg.
PL-12A, according to AVIC, 3.939m, 203mm, 214kg.
Though the PL-15’s information is from PL-15E, which is said a nerfed version, according to its designer. Maybe the dual pulse rocket is replaced by normal single pulse rocket.
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This isn’t proof of anything and additionally, I was originally speaking to the PL-15 being larger than the AIM-120 and the AIM-260. PL-12 and PL-15 serve the same purpose, upgrading the PL-15 is a perfectly adequate solution to the AIM-260. Incorporating common elements into older missiles in stock and utilizing cheaper to produce parts instead of AESA is mirroring the US strategy of maintaining AMRAAM production while AIM-260 is available.
Mass produce the cheap missile, but keep a higher quality one around for higher value targets such as stealth fighters.
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