Image is quite blurry, do we know that PL-16 wouldn't use notched fins if so? And do we know of any PL-12 developments without strakes?
Chinese air to air missiles
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
I dunno. Notched fins like that are quite draggy but really maneuverable. For something like the PL-16 I wouldn't expect it to have notched fins unless they're extremely confident in the reach that the missile can deliver despite these drag losses.
Edit: Look if this indeed is the PL-16 I'm just gonna say it's looking reallyyyyy spooky for the AIM-260. If they feel the aerodynamic penalty is worth it for the maneuverability despite the alleged range emphasis (generational improvement over the PL-16), this is gonna be a hell of a missile. But that's so bullish that I think it's just a weird PL-12.
Last edited:
From what I’ve heard PL-16 is an incredibly ugly missile and people will be disappointed once the HD photos are out.
Could it be a PL-12 Folding fins variant, I remember these loadouts shown for J-35, and it appears the AAM's on the wings are PL-12s, and the AAM's in the bays are just sticks without mid fins.
Compare that to the model for LD-8A (PL-15 Anti Radiation Variant)
Compare that to the model for LD-8A (PL-15 Anti Radiation Variant)
very sorry, a friend sent it to me and i couldn't find one, but AVIC's weibo has posted it as well
yeah, i'm thinking it's just a PL-12 mod. or something like that
while i don't think it is PL-16, J-11B has historically been a plane that's tested missiles in the past, so maybe it would be used again in the future
Posted by China Navy on Twitter/X.
I apologies if this isn't the correct page for this, but does anyone know what this is? Is this a finless PL-10 for training purposes?
I apologies if this isn't the correct page for this, but does anyone know what this is? Is this a finless PL-10 for training purposes?
It is there to simulate having weight on the pylon. I’m guessing that they removed fins for convenience.