Chinese air to air missiles

[siegecrossbow]

Is the PL-16 simply a folding-fin variant of the PL-15, or is it expected to have a longer range compared to the PL-15?

Folded fin PL-15E is shown at Zhuhai Airshow in 2024. PL-16 is a completely different missile with fewer control surfaces and slimmer fuselage.

I am leaning toward the former since PL-15 is highly proven for 10+ years, combat tested and more reliable. But even if the PL-16 were to be based on PL-15, folks should expect generational improvements in fuel, weight, range, manoeuvrability and sensor fusion.

Wrong.

 

[RoastGooseHKer]

So manoeuvrability would based mainly on TVC?

PL-16 is a completely different missile with fewer control surfaces and slimmer fuselage.

 

[siegecrossbow]

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[latenlazy]

So manoeuvrability would based mainly on TVC?

If your missile can get a strong lock at longer range and just fly faster it doesn’t need as much maneuverability. The further you’re shooting the faster your missile needs to be to keep pK high. Your missile doesn’t need to be as maneuverable to stay attached to a maneuvering target for long range attack because angular differences for necessary course correction won’t be as large at those further distances. What limits efficacy of this attack profile is your sensor capability.

 

[siegecrossbow]

If your missile can get a strong lock at longer range and just fly faster it doesn’t need as much maneuverability. The further you’re shooting the faster your missile needs to be to keep pK high. Your missile doesn’t need to be as maneuverable to stay attached to a maneuvering target for long range attack because angular differences for necessary course correction won’t be as large at those further distances. What limits efficacy of this attack profile is your sensor capability.

Not purely fly fast but launched at higher parabolic trajectory so air resistance is reduced.

 

[latenlazy]

Not purely fly fast but launched at higher parabolic trajectory so air resistance is reduced.

Shoot high, greater FOV, greater energy conservation, wider accessible maneuver envelope against counter-maneuver, greater potential energy for terminal dash.

(Basically so long as your onboard sensors are powerful enough to maintain the lock at long range this is a superior attack profile)

 

[Blitzo]

So manoeuvrability would based mainly on TVC?

Ideally we would have a close up image of the actual missile article to tell if it has any reaction motors (which may not be depicted on a model if it isn't intended as relatively high fidelity) as well.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Shoot high, greater FOV, greater energy conservation, wider accessible maneuver envelope against counter-maneuver, greater potential energy for terminal dash.

One other benefit is that from a top down view the aircraft presents a large profile, which makes targeting stealth aircraft easier for the seeker.

 

[drowingfish]

would the PL-17 be able to fit into J-36 or J-50?

 

[siegecrossbow]

would the PL-17 be able to fit into J-36 or J-50?

Internally J-36 yes, J-50 probably not. But by the two those are ready for LRIP then newer missiles will be ready.