The PL-15 is developed by Luoyang-based China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA).[8] The missile was test fired in 2011 and referenced by Chinese state media in 2015.[3] It was spotted in 2013 mounted on a prototype of Chengdu J-20.[9]
In 2017, the United States began developing the AIM-260 JATM to replace the currently in-service AIM-120 AMRAAM in order to better counter the PL-15. The AIM-260 JATM is planned to enter service by 2024, with advanced variants of the AIM-120 (such as the AIM-120D) serving as a stop-gap until the AIM-260 can be fielded.[11][12]
The PL-15E, the export variant, was presented at the at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow. The PL-15E has less range than the PL-15, possibly due to changes in propellant or rocket motor.[9] This is similar to the situation between SD-10 and its domestic counterpart PL-12.[9]
There were constant rumors about a variant or derivate of the PL-15 designed for compressed carriage.[13] In 2020, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) reported the development of the PL-16 missile, a thinner version of the PL-15, to allow J-20 to carry six missiles inside its internal carriage.[14] In January 2024, the PL-16 missile was confirmed to have a smaller airframe design with folded fins and a high-performance dual-pulse motor to maintain a performance level similar to the regular PL-15.[8] At the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, the export variant PL-15E was shown to have folding rear fins, increasing the internal payload of the Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35.[15][16] The PL15 and PL-15E with folding fins could supplement or replace the regular PL-15 in the future.[13]
Design
The missile is measured between 3.8 and 4 metres (12 and 13 ft),[5] longer and wider than other contemporary radar missiles. The cropped control fins are designed for internal carriage by stealth aircraft.[9] A later redesign incorporated folding tail fins and smaller central fins, further decreasing its footprint.[15] It incorporates a dual-pulsed solid-fuel rocket motor,[1][3] capable of a speed of Mach 4+ and a range of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi) – comparable to that of the Anglo-French MBDA Meteor.[5] Compared to the ramjet-powered Meteor, which has advantages in sustained flight profile with a fly-out speed between Mach 3 and 3.5, the dual-pulsed solid propellant rocket motor of PL-15 offers higher burn-out speed excess of Mach 5, then gradually loses its velocity at the terminal phase.[17]Meteor is likely to retain a larger NEZ (No Escape Zone) and higher long-range kill probability due to its ramjet propulsion.[18][5] However, PL-15 can also sustain the Mach 5 speed longer if launched at supersonic speed.[6]
The missile is guided by a miniature active electronically scanned array radar seeker,[19] sporting both active and passive modes for the different mission set. It also features improved resistance to countermeasures.[9] The hybrid guidance system supports a mid-course two-way datalink led by AEW&C aircraft and autonomous terminal radar homing.[3]
Variants
PL-15
PLAAF domestic version with an estimated range of 200–300 km (120–190 mi).[3][5][2]
PL-15E
Export version of PL-15 with a reduced maximum launch range of 145 km[20]
PL-15/E Folding Fins
PL-15 and PL-15E with folded tail fins that allows J-20 and J-35 internal weapons bay to carry six missiles [13][15]
A further development of PL-15 that allows J-20's internal weapons bay to carry six missiles simultaneously (whereas PL-15 is quad-packed). The PL-16 missile, while smaller in dimension, features a compressed airframe, folded fins, and a high-performance dual-pulse motor to deliver the same performance as the regular PL-15.[8]
^Barrie, Douglas (9 September 2022). "Air-to-air warfare: speed kills". Military Balance Blog. International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
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