They are stored inside the sidebays when not in use. J-20's sidebay design is different from that of the raptor's in that there is an entire side rail that is extended from the bay.
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VI
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
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They are stored inside the sidebays when not in use. J-20's sidebay design is different from that of the raptor's in that there is an entire side rail that is extended from the bay.
Thanks for answer, I didnt even know PL-15 were mass produced, as I thought PL-12 were roughly equivalent to AIM-120C and should be sufficient. Do you know when did pictures of PL-15 first appear on internet? Their differences in appearance from PL-12 seem to be only in the front and rear fins, aside from probably larger size.
Hyperwarp
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They probably can carry PL-10 inside the main bays but the side bays allow the IIR missiles to be held outside the aircraft. You can't do that with main bay.
Hyperwarp
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Officially they appeard on the J-10C and J-16 during the PLA 90th anniversary parade. But we saw PL-15 dummies in the J-20 2002 back in 2011 in the weapons bays and then on a J-11B around 2013.
With those newer hi res photos, it is clear that 6 x PL-15 like missiles can fit if they build retractable fins for those arming J-20. 200km range would be devastating. Allows much greater no escape zones which can be further exploited by J-20's LO. PL-xx should be made to fit into this bay even if only four can be armed.
cool, thanks for info. I did find a pic of the 2002 J-20. I really need to update my knowledge.
Edit: I think ive been confused by PL-XX and PL-15. PL-XX is the one without frontal fins at all right?
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