![]() The PL-10 features a multi-element imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, laser proximity fuse, a thrust vectoring motor, with an off bore-sight capability of 90 degrees. Development began at the Luoyang Electro-Optical Centre around 2004–5. SD-10A/B is the export version of the PL-12 AAMĬhina’s roadmap of development expanded beyond the PL-12 with the Luoyang PiLi-10/ PL-10, an advanced dogfight weapon developed to counter western missiles like the AIM-132 ASRAAM, IRIS-T, A-Darter and the AIM-9X. The overall performance of the PL-12 possibly rivals the R-77 (RVV-AE) and AIM-120 C-4. With development of followup versions, improved ECCM is now available. A variable thrust solid fuel motor offers two levels of power for use during boost phase trajectory, providing a decent no escape zone (NEZ). The PL-12 has two datalink antennas for mid-course guidance and houses a radio proximity command fuse for the warhead. In comparison to the AMRAAM, the PL-12 is longer, wider and heavier, with tail mounted control fins having distinctive notch cuttings at their base. The datalink and actuators also needed support from the Russians. The miniaturised AMR-1 active seeker, a copy of the Russian 9B-1348 seeker on the R-77, was developed with help from AGAT Research Institute in Moscow. Based on the Russian R-77, the PL-12 was developed specifically to counter the US AIM-120 AMRAAM. 607 institute’s PiLi 12/ PL-12 beyond visual range (BVR) active homing AAM was the first potential success story for the Chinese home industry, development for which was started in the nineties. The Leihua Electronic Research Institute (LETRI) and the No. Access to a host of technologies and scientists working in the field of AAMs after the collapse of the Soviet Union, also helped China’s cause. ![]() The transformation to an indigenous AAM development pipeline took place with induction of the Russian Su-27 Flanker platform, wherein the Chinese closely took a look at the advances made by the Russians in this domain and blatantly reverse engineered Russian AAMs. China also secured a large number of Python 3 AAMs from Israel, which were license manufactured as the Luoyang PiLi-8 or PL-8. Interestingly in the 1990s, China’s air-to-air missile inventory consisted of weapons purchased from Russia or direct copies of them and western AAMs like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and Matra Magic. ![]() The pace of development of AAMs in China has been nothing short of remarkable, with the focussed and near clinical might of the powerful Chinese state thrown behind this key capability, specifically being developed to counter the global expeditionary deployment and air domination of the United States Air Force (USAF) and the United Sates Navy (USN). Meanwhile, the world is taking note of these fast paced developments towards China’s quest to develop next generation AAMs which beyond the massive scaling up of PLAAF’s ability to hold its own in contested airspace, will also effect the market share of other nations in the AAM export arena in the coming years. 14 Institute and a potent suite of AAMs for the export market, including the LETRI PiLi-15 or the PL-15, the most advanced long range BVR AAM in service with People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The Chinese are also aggressively marketing their now highly mature fourth generation platform - the Chengdu J-10C Vigorous Dragon equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed by No. The JF-17, developed in partnership with Pakistan, has been exported to Myanmar and Nigeria and promises to equip a host of third world countries with an affordable option towards beyond visual range (BVR) needs for domination of the skies. How China is taking the Air-to-Air missile lead in the East In recent years, China’s technological strides and development of a wide range of air-to-air missiles (AAM) has promoted some nations to integrate these missiles on their fighter fleet, or simply go in for collaboration/ purchase of a Chinese combat aircraft like the Chengdu JF-17 Thunder. 2B665B8A-6D26-49F5-908A-3D42C49CC697.jpeg Recent Air-to-Air missile (AAM) technological advancements in China, rapidly elevating it as a near peer competitor to the Western and Russian AAM development philosophies, has unlocked a new race to own the longest reach in the skies.
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