Chinese air to air missiles

Hyperwarp

Captain
JH-7A Testbed with the HUGE PL-17. From this angle, it looks like an air-launched HQ-9

...
The latest image (April 2020) of the missile being carried by a JH-7A testbed suggests that the development of PL-17 is moving forward and it is expected to enter the service in the near future.

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2Eo1MZ2.jpg
 

ougoah

Brigadier
Registered Member
What is PL-17 supposed to be? The same as the long missile we saw photos of underneath J-16? Or yet another long range AAM?
 

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member

LOL, yes as an answer to which of his two questions?

Presumably you mean "yes" to the first question -- "The same as the long missile we saw photos of underneath J-16?"


... and as you kindly drew on twitter when you asked, the shape of the missile is not bulbous but just an optical illusion.


yVbYXtK.jpg
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
First, thanks for moving these posts ... and yes, I only saw the first question:

Presumably you mean "yes" to the first question -- "The same as the long missile we saw photos of underneath J-16?"

LOL, yes as an answer to which of his two questions?

... and as you kindly drew on twitter when you asked, the shape of the missile is not bulbous but just an optical illusion.

yVbYXtK.jpg

Indeed, it seems as if it is most of all due to the shadow of the AAM's pylon/adapter
 

Totoro

Major
VIP Professional
Peculiar thing that an JH7 of all planes would be testing it. JH7's radar has possibly shorter range against air target than the useful reach of this missile.

That being said, the size and configuration of the missile might actually make it very good for other roles as well, if other variants exist or are in development. Anti-radar mission would likely be served very well. And due to its compactness, the missile might be easier to carry and more of those missiles could be carried, compared to a plane laden with YJ91 missiles.

With satnav guidance, it basically becomes a VERY long range guided multiple rocket launcher-like round. Possibly effective against all sort of non-moving time critical targets, before they relocate. GMLRS rounds are said to enjoy <5 m errors in precision. That seems adequate precision for most targets, save for bunkers, given the probable size of the warhead on that thing. (probably between 50 and 100 kg) And due to the likely profile - swooping down on defenses at mach 3 or above at steep angles - even various close in defense systems and AA artillery are not likely to do well against multiple such missiles.
 
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