That's my thought too. PL is only for AAMs.
Chinese air to air missiles
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
I think there is an idea that PL-16 (as well as PL-15) may have a ARM variant (or ARM mode?).
That isn't necessarily too beyond the pale, the T3 missile (so called Triple Threat Terminator) was a BVRAAM concept in the past that was capable of targeting SAMs as a ARM, while also being a BVRAAM.
Of course the actual veracity of having such a capability for PL-16 (and PL-15) is a whole other matter.
That isn't necessarily too beyond the pale, the T3 missile (so called Triple Threat Terminator) was a BVRAAM concept in the past that was capable of targeting SAMs as a ARM, while also being a BVRAAM.
Of course the actual veracity of having such a capability for PL-16 (and PL-15) is a whole other matter.
With the miniaturization of electronics it seems to be within reason that something like that would be in the works.
Given that the length of ~4-4.5 meters is a fixed constrain for all LRAAMs meant for deployment on the J-20/A/S, J-35/A, J-XDS and (partially) the J-36 in stealth mode, the race now becomes how to squeeze the best possible performance in terms of range (and also maneuverability) within the given length limitations.
For one, I do hope that future LRAAMs of such lengths (perhaps a further development of/successor to the PL-16) could have their nominal maximum ranges further boosted to ~350-400 kilometers. This should make every combat warplane (including UCAVs) in the PLAAF and PLANAF with ~4-4.5-meter long IWBs be capable of conducting expanded A2A operations by pushing the engagement envelopes further outward, thus increasing the chances of outranging and outgunning enemy aerial forces.
For one, I do hope that future LRAAMs of such lengths (perhaps a further development of/successor to the PL-16) could have their nominal maximum ranges further boosted to ~350-400 kilometers. This should make every combat warplane (including UCAVs) in the PLAAF and PLANAF with ~4-4.5-meter long IWBs be capable of conducting expanded A2A operations by pushing the engagement envelopes further outward, thus increasing the chances of outranging and outgunning enemy aerial forces.
Right, I was referring to claims like this from several years ago. Which I regard as nonsense.