PL-21

PL-21
TypeBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerShanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Specifications
Mass250 kg
Diameter250–300 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

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

 People's Republic of China

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b "This new ramjet engine could triple the range of Chinese missiles". 12 June 2017.
  2. ^ "The US Wants To Arm Fighters With These New Long-Range Missiles To Hunt Down China & Russia's Best Jets".
  3. ^ "China's New Fighter Jet Is A Problem For Australia".
  4. ^ a b Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 40.
  5. ^ Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 19.
Bibliography

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