Chinese air to air missiles

antiterror13

Brigadier
Captive tests don't equal to missile. It's hard to pinpoint dates in Chinese weapon development, but it's very much possible to track dates at which US crush counters are aimed. PL-17 is in all likelihood NET 2020s capability.

I understand that PL-17 is a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, how about PL-16? I heard a rumour that PL-16 is perhaps triple-pulse motor (?)
 

sometimesnaive

New Member
Registered Member
I understand that PL-17 is a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, how about PL-16? I heard a rumour that PL-16 is perhaps triple-pulse motor (?)
Where did you see that rumor? Makes sense given the generally agreed upon fact that PL-16 will be smaller in diameter; a second pulse mid-flight would help counteract the faster speed decay prior to terminal burn. We'll have to wait and see.
 

Gloire_bb

Colonel
Registered Member
Tbh i would find it strange if production Chinese air-breather, shall it come (why not in principle, it's an attractive alternative), will be with two intakes. It makes significant sacrifices compared to a symmetrical layout, and China has exactly zero conformal carriage fighters.
 

mack8

Senior Member
So PLAAF responds to the unveiling of the AIM-260 with giving us a glimpse of the PL-16? It can't be a PL-12 or 15 without the mid wings right?
 
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