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PL-X / PL-20 / PL-17??

The designation of this missile is quite uncertain. Some sources report this big missile as being designated the PL-17, while other sources suggest the PL-20 and PL-21 are the same missile. Up through the PL-10 the CHICOM AAM designations were reasonably well understood, and up through at least the PL-16 not particuarly in dispute [though the "PL-14" seems MIA]. But afterwards, things have fallen apart. The PL-21 designation seems well attested, but between the PL-16 and PL-21 there is only one missile, and four designators. Of these, the PL20 seems the most plausible designator for the new big missile, since the Chinese were lavish in their application of the -20 deignator [eg, J-20, Y-20, etc] in this timeframe. The alternative intepretation, that the big missile is the PL-17 [a number of no great significance], and that the PL-20 and PL-21 are one and the same, is rather less satisfying, though not self-evidently in error. The estimable website Chinese Military Aviation calls this the PL-20, without equivocation.

By around the year 2020 China appeared to be working on as many as four longer range air-to-air missiles. The PL-15 for the J-20 (six pictured in the internal weapons bay), the PL-16, the very large PL-20 [PL-17?] carried externally on the J-16, and the PL-21 ramjet missile.

Images made public in November 2016 disclosed a new large Very Long Range Air-to-Air Missile [VLRAAM] was under development, though its official designation was unknown (possibly PL-17?). The VLRAAM would force US and Allied high-value airborne asset (HVAA) aircraft to operate much farther from any battlespace, potentially negating advantages in airborne early warning and control. The concept is like to the Soviet R-37M (designated AA-13 Axehead by NATO) supersonic missile program dating back to the 1980s.

In contrast to the PL-12, it has only 4 tail control fins (coupled with TVC?) and is significantly longer and larger than the PL-12 (length 5.7m, diameter 300mm). Its large size indicates the missile is a new VLRAAM capability and not a direct PL-12 replacement. Given its large size, it cannot be carried internally by the 4th generation [Chinese nomenclature] J-20. It might be carried externally by J-20 underneath its wings, but was expected to be carried externally by 3.5th generation long-range interceptors such as J-16. The missile appeared to be propelled by a dual pulse rocket motor, with less drag and a slimmer size than a ramjet engine. It was speculated to fly semi-ballistic trajectory similar to the American AIM-54 in order to achieve an extra long range (range greater than 300km, speed>Mach 4, cruising altitude 30km).

The PL-20 is believed to feature an advanced guidance system including a two-way datalink and a new active AESA seeker with enhanced ECCM capability. Before the launch the missile must obtain the target information via datalink from an AWACS, a land-based long-range radar or even a satellite. The launch aircraft disengages right after releasing the missile. After the initial ascent stage, the missile may use Beidou+INS+datalink guidance during the mid-course cruising stage. At the terminal dive stage, in combination with the AESA seeker, it may also use an IIR seeker [indicated by a small optical window in its nose], which further increases its kill probability amid severe jamming.

This VLRAAM could pose a serious threat to high-value aerial targets deep behind the enemy line such as AWACS and tankers, and currently is the only type in this class. It was rumored in November 2016 that a PL-20 was test-fired successfully from a J-16. The latest image (April 2020) of the missile being carried by a JH-7A testbed suggested that the development of PL-20 was moving forward and it is expected to enter the service in the near future.