PL-21
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| PL-21 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 250 kg |
| Diameter | 250–300 millimetres (9.8–11.8 in) (estimated)[1] |
Operational range | 300-400 km [2][3] |
Guidance system | Active radar with AESA[1] |
Launch platform | |
The PL-21 or PL-XX is an active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China. It is considered comparable to the American AIM-260 JATM, and the Russian R-37 (missile).[4]
Development and history[edit]
In 2016, China successfully test fired a very long range air-to-air missile, which was believed to be the PL-21. But it may also be the PL-17.[5] PL-21 is estimated to have a range of over 300 kilometers and powered by a ramjet engine.[4]
Operators[edit]
See also[edit]
- AIM-260 JATM – (United States of America)
- Meteor – (multinational corporation)
- Long-Range Engagement Weapon – (United States of America)
- R-37 (missile) – (Russia)
- PL-15 – (People's Republic of China)
- PL-17 – (People's Republic of China)
Related lists
References[edit]
- ^ a b "This new ramjet engine could triple the range of Chinese missiles". 12 June 2017.
- ^ "The US Wants To Arm Fighters With These New Long-Range Missiles To Hunt Down China & Russia's Best Jets".
- ^ "China's New Fighter Jet Is A Problem For Australia".
- ^ a b Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 40.
- ^ Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 19.
- Bibliography
- Wood, Peter; Yang, David; Cliff, Roger (November 2020). Air-to-Air Missiles: Capabilities And Development In China (PDF). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. ISBN 9798574996270.
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