China Debuts Advanced PL-15E Air-to-Air Missile

China has unveiled a significantly modified version of its PL-15 active-radar-guided air-to-air missile at Airshow China in Zhuhai 2024. The new PL-15E variant features innovative folding rear fins and other structural modifications specifically designed to optimize internal carriage in China’s stealth fighters, the J-20 and J-35. This development represents a major advancement in Chinese air combat capabilities.

Enhanced Stealth Integration

The most notable feature of the PL-15E is its folding rear fins, which provide a ‘compressed carriage’ capability. These cruciform tail fins fold around the midway point and deploy once the missile is released from the aircraft. Additionally, the missile’s center-body fins have been reduced in span compared to the original design, further optimizing its fit within internal weapons bays while maintaining stealth characteristics.

Improved Weapons Capacity

The new design allows for increased missile capacity in both the J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters. While the current J-20 can carry four standard PL-15s internally, the compressed-carriage PL-15E variant could potentially increase this number. For the smaller J-35, early indications suggest its weapons bay is scaled to accommodate up to six medium-range air-to-air missiles.

Advanced Technical Capabilities

The PL-15E maintains the impressive capabilities of its predecessor, including a dual-pulse rocket motor with a reported range of 124 miles. The missile features an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker with active and passive modes, enhanced countermeasure resistance, and a two-way datalink for mid-flight guidance updates from the launching aircraft.

Global Impact and Competition

The development of the PL-15E reflects China’s growing influence in advanced air combat systems. The missile is widely assessed as being superior to certain Western equivalents, with the Royal United Services Institute noting that it outranges the U.S.-made AIM-120C/D AMRAAM series. This capability has prompted accelerated development of new air-to-air missiles in the United States, including the AIM-260 program.

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Strategic Significance

This advancement in missile technology demonstrates China’s commitment to developing integrated weapons systems for its stealth fighters. The PL-15E represents a significant step forward in China’s ability to compete with Western air combat capabilities, particularly in the realm of stealth operations. The missile’s export potential, already demonstrated through sales to Pakistan for its JF-17 Block III and J-10C fighters, further enhances its strategic importance.

The unveiling of the PL-15E at Airshow China marks another milestone in China’s rapidly advancing military aviation sector. Its development reflects a broader trend in modern air warfare, where the integration of advanced missiles with stealth platforms is becoming increasingly crucial for maintaining air superiority. As China continues to develop its stealth fighter program, the PL-15E stands as a testament to its growing technological sophistication in air-to-air combat systems.

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