The PL-17 (NATO reporting name: CH-AA-12 Auger[1]) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The missile has a claimed range of more than 400 km (250 mi) and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.[2][3][4]
History and development
[edit]The missile was tested on a Shenyang J-16 fighter in 2016,[5] and can also be deployed on Chinese imported Su-30MKK and Su-35 fighters.[6] It's understood that PL-17 is a separate development from the ramjet-powered PL-21 (PL-XX).[3][7] In October 2022, Chinese state media reported that the PL-17 entered PLAAF service.[8]
Design
[edit]PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at 6 m (20 ft) long (whereas PL-15, 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, passive sensors,[2] 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.[9] The missile is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor and flies in lofted launch trajectory[2] to achieve the reported range between 300–500 km (190–310 mi) by various media, or 400 km (250 mi) class by Royal United Services Institute[9] with a top speed in excess of Mach 4.[7][8]
See also
[edit]- PL-15 – (China)
- PL-21 – (China)
- AIM-174B – (United States)
- R-37M – (Russia)
- Novator KS-172 – (Russia)
References
[edit]- ^ Barrie, Douglas (29 July 2024). "Phoenix successor redux: the USN's range riposte to China's PL-17?". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b Bronk, Justin (October 2020). Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook (PDF) (Report). Whitehall Report. Vol. 3–20. London: Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. ISSN 1750-9432.
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