PL-17

PL-17
J-16 armed with PL-17
TypeBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (very-long-range)
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
In service2022-present
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Specifications
EngineDual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket[1]
Operational
range
~500 km
Guidance
system
Active radar homing/infrared homing /passive radiation homing and datalink .[2]
Launch
platform

The PL-17 (NATO reporting name: CH-AA-12 Auger[3]) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided very-long-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).[4] The missile has a claimed range of more than 500 km (310 mi) and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.[5][6][7]

History and development

The missile was tested on a Shenyang J-16 fighter in 2016,[8] and can also be deployed on Chinese imported Su-30MKK and Su-35 fighters.[9] It is understood that PL-17 is a separate development from the ramjet-powered PL-21 (PL-XX).[6][10] In October 2022, Chinese state media reported that the PL-17 entered PLAAF service.[11]

Design

PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at 6 m (20 ft) long (whereas PL-15, AIM-120 are measured around 4 m (13 ft) long), which contains more solid fuel. The extended length makes the missile unfit for the internal weapons bay of the Chengdu J-20. During the flight, PL-17 would rely on inertial guidance, satellite navigation, and data-link to track targets. During the terminal phase, the missile would turn on its multimodal seeker with both active radar and passive sensors.[5] The sensors include, reportedly, a miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for tracking, passive anti-radiation seeker for locating radar-equipped targets, and a possible optical window feautring an additional infrared seeker as supplement.[12] The missile body features a low-drag profile, and maneuverability is provided by four small control fins and thrust-vectoring engines.[13] Estimates for its maximum operational range may vary (300–500 km (190–310 mi)), but the widely reported figure is ~500 km.[14][4] The missile is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor and flies in lofted launch trajectory[5] to achieve the reported range of 500 km (310 mi) class, according to the Royal United Services Institute.[13] It has a top speed in excess of Mach 4.[10][11]

See also

  • PL-15 – (China)
  • PL-21 – (China)
  • AIM-174B – (United States)
  • R-37M – (Russia)
  • Novator KS-172 – (Russia)
  • Astra Mark 3 – (India)

References

  1. ↑ https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/chinas-pl-17-missile-ripples-through-indo-pacific-defense/
  2. ↑ https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/chinas-pl-17-missile-ripples-through-indo-pacific-defense/
  3. ↑ Barrie, Douglas (29 July 2024). "Phoenix successor redux: the USN's range riposte to China's PL-17?". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  4. 1 2 Newdick, Thomas (January 27, 2026). "China's Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close". The War Zone. Archived from the original on May 5, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Barrie, Douglas (20 January 2024). "Air-to-air missiles push the performance, payload envelope". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  6. 1 2 Barrie, Douglas (8 October 2021). "China fires longer-range AAM at export market". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  7. ↑ Williams, Zachary (21 November 2022). "Takeaways From China's Zhuhai Air Show 2022". The Diplomat.
  8. ↑ Rogoway, Tyler (21 November 2016). "Shadowy New Missile Appears Under the Wing of Chinese J-16 Fighter". The Drive.
  9. ↑ PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China's Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces (PDF) (Report). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. 2022.
  10. 1 2 Newdick, Thomas (1 September 2022). "A Guide To China's Increasingly Impressive Air-To-Air Missile Inventory". The Drive.
  11. 1 2 "一剑封喉/霹雳17远攻 空空导弹之王". Ta Kung Pao. 28 November 2022.
  12. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (27 January 2026). "China's Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close". The War Zone.
  13. 1 2 Bronk, Justin (October 2020). Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook (PDF) (Report). Whitehall Report. Vol. 3–20. London: Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. ISSN 1750-9432.
  14. ↑ "Air-to-air missiles push the performance, payload envelope". IISS. Archived from the original on 2025-12-25. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
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