To be honest, I wonder if the AAM seeker would even work against a cold static target with ground clutter. A very stupid idea regardless.
Chengdu next gen combat aircraft (?J-36) thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
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To be honest, I wonder if the AAM seeker would even work against a cold static target with ground clutter. A very stupid idea regardless.
Even if other fighters and cca's might not make it, it is extremely delusional to suggest that AWACS and bombers cannot reach 3000km away in the second island chain.
This doesn't occur with any frequency, but there has been instances of AAMs being launched against targets on the ground or in .
While AAM warheads are generally unsuitable for ground targets, the US Navy has actually and probably some other AAMs an air-to-ground capability:
Not to say the PLAAF or PLAN has actually done it, but the USN is probably not alone in such efforts.
Something like the PL-17 isn't going to be suitable against most ground targets, but in a pinch, it might suffice against radars and other targets that don't require too much explosive power to effectively disable.
Moreover, if you think about it, some defense contractor or another is probably in the process of turning an AAM into a AGM as we speak because the form factor is compatible with a specific IWB.
Though whether or not such an AGM ever reaches service is going to be a whole other story.
Anti-radiation missiles modified from air-to-air missiles have been in service for a long time in PLAF. There are versions modified from both the pl-10 and pl-15. For any other ground target the seeker strategy employed by AAM's is entirely irrelevant.
If that is ridiculous, then what is using an SM-6 AAM as a AGM weapon?
Yet the US is doing this.
The alternative options for Chinese ground-attack have their own disadvantages and advantages.
At a distance of 3000km:
1. ballistic/hypersonic missiles are very expensive.
2. cruise missiles are lower cost, but they are slow and relatively easy to shoot down
3. glide bombs are very low cost, but even slower and you have to get too close
But if you're looking for a relatively low-cost, fast, small and stealthy AGM - then the PL-15/PL-17 is an viable option for soft ground targets.
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If there an airstrike being conducted 3000km, then yes, it would better to use a purpose-built AGM for internal carriage. But if ballistic/hypersonic speeds are required, then perhaps it would look like a small Kinzhal.
But remember that in such an airstrike, you will have some aircraft dedicated to strike and others as A2A escorts. Those escorts might have spare missiles that they can usefully use. Or perhaps there are fleeting targets of opportunity that are worth it.
DF-26s are way more expensive than a PL-17 or PL-17
CJ-10s are non-stealthy, slow and too easy to shoot down.
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At a distance of 2500km+, I don't see it being realistic for many Chinese tankers, AEW&C and navy ships to operate.
Hence what we see of the J-36 design philosophy so far.
It has multiple radars and IR sensors to compensate for the lack of AEW&C.
Plus huge range to compensate for the lack of tankers.
But with all-aspect stealth, my guess is that a J-36 is literally impossible to detect at a range of 300km.
And remember that on the opposing side, the J-36 is only facing a handful of airbases and carriers (floating airbases)
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You’re forgetting about whether the blast effect damage is meaningful from an A2A missile sized explosive payload.
A 20kg warhead will work on soft targets like aircraft on the ground eg. bombers, tankers and AEW&C aircraft
Radars and air-defence vehicles also fit into this category.
A 500kg warhead on a large, expensive AGM is arguably overkill for these sorts of targets
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Come to think of it, the US military has 16000+ SDBs which have smaller warheads than a PL-17 or PL-15
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Bombers and AWACs have huge radar signatures.
They'll be easily detected and be easy targets for the opposing 6th gen fighters
The latest AAMs all have INS, GPS and mid-course guidance options.
Not surprising given that a JDAM guidance kit (with all of the above options) costs less than $30K, which is dirt cheap for a PGM