Does this reveal mean that a successor of the PL-17 is ready?
Chinese air to air missiles
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
It doesn't seem like it's being offered for export, it may be a domestic showcase of some sort.
That said, given we know PL-17 is in service, it does lend itself to the idea that its successor is likely in advanced stages of development.
I think the mini-PL-17 comparison was from a remark that PL-16 looked similar to AIM-260, which itself looks like a mini PL-17, but I can't recall the exact phrasing of it.
The general trend for new gen medium and long range missiles is to get rid of the mid body wings or fins altogether and rely just on speed, body lift and lofted trajectories to preserve energy over long distances. Thus it wouldn't be at all surprising if more and more missiles, PL-16 included, used such a layout, with only rear fins present.
I don't know.
Pakistani bros whenever pictures of PLAAF stuff arise
I am leaning toward the former since PL-15 is highly proven for 10+ years, combat tested and more reliable. But even if the PL-16 were to be based on PL-15, folks should expect generational improvements in fuel, weight, range, manoeuvrability and sensor fusion.