The latest update prediction mentioned PL15, to be honest, I don’t think this missile is suitable for the next update. It is the most advanced model among the medium range air-to-air missiles already in service in reality, and its actual performance may be even better than the 120D R77M Meteor
If the prediction is true and this missile really appears in the next version, then there will only be three scenarios
Just like the version where F14A joined the game, it directly changed the game environment for top-level aerial combat matches, and I really doubt if this kind of treatment will really be given to Chinese TT
Gaijin severely weakened the performance of PL15 in the game, making its performance similar to missiles such as the 120C R77-1 currently in the game. This will undoubtedly cause strong protests from Chinese players and it is unnecessary to add alternatives like PL12later
With the addition of advanced missiles with similar performance such as the 120D R77M Meter mentioned above to PL15, this is great, but this workload is undoubtedly a challenge for gaijin
The name “PL12” is similar to “AIM120”, with different models and performance versions. We can assume that Gaijin provided the earliest version with relatively poor performance, but there are also interviews with missile designers proving the existence of PL12 with performance close to 120C5
Someone skeptical might then ask, “how exactly would those Chinese missile designers know the classified range performance of a foreign missile (120C5)?”
There is no question that these aircraft have been in service and fielded with those countries, and if I’m being honest, European countries could have easily chosen to field them a decade ago if they really wished to, it just wasn’t a priority. Still doesn’t make it fully operational however for in-game tech tree countries.
Qualified by the French MoD in 2018 for the Rafale F3R
Initial operating service in 2019
Fully operational service in 2021
Rafale F3R in operational service (fully fielded) in 2021
Right, that would be a decent point but there’s several things to consider.
What is the exact quote that was said?
When was it said? Before or after Pakistan acquired the AIM-120C?
Did it say AIM-120C or specifically AIM-120C-5?
Did it specifically state that the PL-12 has comparable range to the AIM-120C-5? Or did it say comparable performance which could mean other aspects or overall aspects? i.e. perhaps PL-12 had better maneuverability while having worse range than AIM-120C-5?
It does, but Gaijin don’t accept reports which just show that a radar should have better range than another. You need to be able to say what’s the ranges or how much better it is. As far as I know that information has not been released for ECRS Mk. 2. So I expect it to be a copy paste of Mk. 1, possibly with better gimbal limits.
My previous statement specifically addressed your question about how China obtained the AIM-120C5. Regarding your other questions, in a 2004 interview—when the PL-12 was still in its testing phase—Liang Xiaogeng, the deputy chief designer of the PL-12, stated that its design goal was to exceed a range of 100 km (under standard conditions of 10,000 meters at Mach 1.2, as referenced in the context). In a 2006 follow-up interview—by which time the PL-12 had entered service—the same individual noted that “the performance of the SD-10 at this stage is comparable to the American AIM-120C,” while also confirming that its final certification test launches had achieved ranges exceeding 100 km, substantiating this claim.
I’m alright, I don’t think there is enough content to justify Rank 9 yet, and increasing research costs while making rank 7 premiums redundant this early seems like a net-negative for players, especially if they start moving current rank 8s into rank 9 (absolutely abhorrent business practice btw gaijin)
