PL-15, China's most advanced active radar guided air-to–air missile currently in use
The PL-15 missile is an advanced long-range air to-air missile capable of reaching up to 400km. It was designed for use by Chinese stealth fighter planes, such as the J-20B or J-11B.
It also marks a significant milestone in the development and production of a new type of air-to–air missiles that could pose a threat the US' AIM120AMRAAM program. While the US has created a new long-range missile called the AIM-260 to rival China's PL-15, its entry into service with the United States Air Force is still years away.
Despite China continuing to develop airto-air weapons systems, experts wonder if the PL-15 is capable of challenging current American AAM technology. RUSI, a non-governmental group that analyses the military, states that the PL-15 can out-range US' AIM-120C/D AMRAAM Series and has a comparable maximum distance to the European-origin Meteor. However, it has a smaller no-escape area and does not have a higher kill probability at longer ranges.
If the PL-15's technical performance proves to be as good as it should, however, the Chinese military will likely benefit greatly from its ability to hunt and destroy enemy fighters, early warning planes and aerial refuelers far beyond visible range. The PL-15 is also affordable, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious countries.
The fear that the PL-15 could out-range the US and give China's military a major advantage in future conflicts is one of the reasons why the US is updating its AIM-120AMRAAMs, according to the head the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command. General Herbert Carlisle of the US Air Force's Air Combat Command, said that "we are very worried about the threat the PL-15 presents for our capability." Flight Global magazine published this statement in 2015.
While the PL-15 has not yet entered widespread service, it is likely that China will begin equipping its fifth-generation fighters with them soon. The J-20 can hold up to 12 PL-15s, plus two of the shorter range PL-10A missiles. This means that more than a dozen weapons can be carried on the J-20, which is more than twice as many as the F-22.
China's military is working on a variety of weapons that will be used with fifth-generation fighters like the J-20 or J-11B. To improve efficiency and reduce weight, the PL-15 can fit inside these fighters' main weapons bay.
The PL-15 was first spotted under the wing on a J-11B testing bed in 2012. It was then seen inside the weapon bays on a J-20. This is the first time this type of missile was seen in a Chinese stealth fighter.
The PL-15 AAM is one the most innovative and powerful AAMs currently being built in China. Military analysts argue that it will be able to outrange US counterparts from the moment it enters service. It can also be jammed by using its data link and fire-and forget capabilities. It can also destroy high value targets, like aircraft early warning or aerial fueling vehicles.