I'm aware of that. Just surprised by the degree altitude affecting range.
Chinese air to air missiles
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
denser air is only part of it. the much greater initial potential energy conferred by the high initial altitude is the other part. the missile can go farther simply because it has more energy to burn.
There are many parts if we're talking this way. For example, in-between these two cases, in the second one missile has to overcome mach barrier by itself. Which will also cut its radius substantially.
PL-15E and PL-10E carried by J-10CP. Looks like no dual pulse for Pakistan's PL-15. 
PL-15E and PL-10E carried by J-10CP. Looks like no dual pulse for Pakistan's PL-15.
They may not show non-export version missiles.
This doesn't mean they have them ... or don't have them but what's shown doesn't always equal what's available.
But having said that, I don't think PLA would be awfully comfortable allowing their own spec PL-15 and PL-10 in any hands just yet seeing as these two missiles represent the top end of PLAAF's A2A missiles. The opsec concerns simply mean the Pakistanis can make do with the export versions or get something else. The export versions are probably close enough to the PLAAF's own use in capability otherwise the Pakistanis wouldn't be satisfied enough with the platform purchase and any weapons that are too restricted. 148km range for PL-15E, accept that's the best available and not the 200km PL-15 or go with AIM-120C that's well behind 148km. Any export missile would be downgraded compared to what the producing nation uses for itself. There's no way the French would allow India to have the exact same spec Meteors as French ones or even other Europeans just in case there are data leaks to Russia.
I think many do not like to admit that China wouldn't step that far with Pakistan but this is still an opsec concern and Pakistan could potentially leak PLAAF's spec missiles to India or US or whoever even if measures are placed to prevent it. You can never know what one or a few individuals may do for money even if not for politics.
I would like to think China isn't that trusting or stupid to sell (even to a close ally) the exact same spec missile it uses as its most modern and capable. I mean even the US does not sell the same spec fighter/missile to their closest partners and least threatening nations. Maybe Israel is the only one but this is doubtful too. After all plenty of US weapons are out of bounds for Israel.
It is also possible that the engine has the physical hardware for dual pulse but requires a software override for range extension. When the time is necessary, it could be easily overridden.
That's one way to do it and an easy solution. But this only applies to the propulsion of the missile. I'm also referring to the electronics.
I find it hard to believe that China would allow any customer to get the exact same spec missiles. Just one leak is all it takes to ... not necessarily negate your missiles but certainly damage their worth at least to the point where adversary could know its exact range and electronic functions. It could allow them to counter the weapon much more effectively.
Export versions are sold for a reason and everyone does it. Selling J-10 and PL-15 + PL-10 to Pakistan is an export after all.
is there any way to tell them apart externally?PL-15E and PL-10E carried by J-10CP. Looks like no dual pulse for Pakistan's PL-15.
Because honestly most of nerfing solutions proposed sound almost ... petty. They don't guard much, just spoil the deal for the ally.
Nope. The serials say PL-15E.
@siegecrossbow Sir my assumption, it's not a weapon downgrade BUT maybe for weapon standardization? JF17 block 3 may use it, and PL-15E range is based on the capability of AESA radar on the block 3? as the RD93 hadn't enough power to increase the range of the AESA?
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