- PL-10 -
A dummy PL-10 AAM was fully extended outside the side weapon bay onboard the J-20 #2002 prototype. PL-10 (K/AKK-10?) is the new generation IIR-guided missile in the same class of AIM-9X, ASRAAM, A-Darter, AAM-5 and IRIS-T. It features an IIR seeker (containing a 128x128 focal plane array?) and TVC, giving the missile a 90° off-boresight angle and excellent IRCCM capability against aerial target maneuvering at high-gs. It also has a "lock-after-launch" capability, which could extend its range to BVR. Similar to AAM-5 and IRIS-T, the latest design (circa 2013) features 4 enlarged tailfins plus 4 narrow stabilizing strips attached to the mid-section of the missile body, which help maintain missile's manoeuvrability at the terminal stage after the solid motor stops working. The development of PL-10 started in 2005 and a test round was launched from the ground in November 2008. The development was thought to have entered a new phase in 2010 after being test fired from a CFTE J-11B. A recent rumor (December 2011) suggested that the first pre-production batch was produced. PL-10 is expected to be carried by J-16 fighter bomber as well as internally by J-20 and J-21 stealth fighters which are still under development.
- PL-21 -
A new long-range active radar homing AAM has been under development which appears similar to British Meteor. It features an active radar seeker and an integrated ramjet/solid rocket motor with a single belly air inlet. PL-21 also features 4 small stabilizing fins behind the active radar seeker, a characteristics of Russian R-27/AA-10. Two-way datalink antennas may be installed in the tail section for mid-course correction. The effective range of PL-21 is expected to be >100km. The missile might be carried by J-11B fighter for long-range interception. The latest rumor suggested that the first ground launch test took place in March 2010. The development was projected to be completed by 2012. It has yet to be seen whether or not PL-21 will be carried by the new generation of stealth fighters like J-20 and J-21.
- PL-15 -
It was reported that 607 Institute has been developing a new active radar homing AAM (dubbed PL-15?) comparable to American AIM-120D and may have evolved from PL-12C. Recent photos showed a new type of missile being tested onboard a J-11B fighter. Compared to PL-12, the missile features stabilizing fins and tailfins with reduced wingspans, suggesting its design is optimized for internal carriage by the 4th generation fighters such as J-20 and J-21. PL-15 may also features improved guidance system (including duplex datalink and new active/passive dual mode seeker with enhanced ECCM capability), as well as an improved motor which gives it a longer range (~100km?). It appears PL-15 has superceded the PL-12 series for the 4th generation stealth fighters.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
