Chinese air to air missiles
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
What does "for show" mean in this context?
For example, J-15T is absolutely compatible with PL-15, and able to launch them and use them.
However what seems to be implied is that for carrierborne operations and deployments from a logistical point of view, usually the carriers would not be equipped with PL-15s, but instead with PL-12s and PL-16s rather than all three.
In other contexts, it is possible J-15Ts may still utilize PL-15s, for example if they are based from land or if they are in situations where they run out of PL-16s and want something more capable than PL-12
It is more likely that PL-15 and PL-16 will be paired in a high-low mix , J-15T only carries the PL-15, while the J-35 only carries the PL-16.
Rather than PL-12 and PL-16 in a cross-gen mix, that is inconsistent with our observation that the J-15T began to mount the PL-15.
Rather than PL-12 and PL-16 in a cross-gen mix, that is inconsistent with our observation that the J-15T began to mount the PL-15.
Yes, but in post #978 it was made pretty clear.
(And even without #978 imo it's a pretty logical deduction to come to)
You need to use older stock before expiration date so with many Pl-12 in stock, we will see them flying a while then vanishing and be replaced by fresher newer missiles.
On the logistical side, having less missiles types that fit both is better in a carrier scenario. When mass produced the cost of a Pl-16 will not be a lot higher than a Pl-15. It could even replace both Pl-12 and Pl-15. Only way to do otherwise could be flight dynamicss at shorter range are better with Pl-15 or just to use missiles in storage before expiration.
Trio: PL-15 has been in service for over a decade. Counterintuitively, new missile is even cheaper than the PL-15. This is because the original PL-15 was produced using "high-tech but outdated production technology," essentially manual assembly lines from the 2010s.That was the eve of the rapid development of domestic technology, production efficiency is clearly inferior to what we have now. Even with some improvements, it's still quite manual.
I suspect that the so-called PL-15 production line previously disclosed by Luoyang Missile Institute is actually the PL-16 production line
I suspect that the so-called PL-15 production line previously disclosed by Luoyang Missile Institute is actually the PL-16 production line
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Not necessarily. A lot of the components are probably interchangeable.Trio: PL-15 has been in service for over a decade. Counterintuitively, the new missile it replaces is even cheaper than the PL-15. This is because the original PL-15 was produced using "high-tech but outdated production technology," essentially manual assembly lines from the 2010s. Production efficiency is clearly inferior to China's current technology, and even with some improvements, it's still quite manual.
I suspect that the so-called PL-15 production line previously disclosed by Luoyang Missile Institute is actually the PL-16 production line