In recent years, the rapid development of China's fifth-generation stealth fighter, the J-35, has attracted global attention. Following the PL-15E air-to-air missile's ability to strike beyond visual range, which has intimidated outsiders, the Bulgarian Military Network reported that the internal weapons bay of the J-35 may be compatible with the more advanced PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile. If this capability is confirmed, the combination of the J-35 and PL-17 will make high-value targets such as enemy AWACS aircraft and tankers almost impossible to hide in future air combat, significantly enhancing the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities of the Chinese Air Force.

Foreign media reports suggest that the J-35's weapons bay can accommodate up to four folding-wing PL-17 or two fixed-wing PL-17 missiles, a significant engineering breakthrough that enables the aircraft to possess long-range strike capability while remaining stealthy. We should note that the authenticity of this information is questionable, as the internal weapons bay of the J-35 is estimated to be only about 5 meters long, while the length of the PL-17 is likely close to 6 meters. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that a smaller version of the PL-17 might be specially developed to match the internal weapons bays of the J-20 and F-35.

The PL-17 is one of China's most advanced air-to-air missiles, designed to target high-value targets such as AWACS aircraft, tankers, and electronic warfare platforms. Publicly available data shows that its maneuverability is excellent, and it can even intercept highly maneuverable targets like fighters. Its estimated range is between 300 to 400 kilometers, equipped with an active radar seeker, inertial navigation system, and supports mid-course correction via data link, providing beyond-visual-range precision strike capability. Previously, it was believed that due to its length, the PL-17 could only be carried under the belly or on the wings of a fighter jet, making it difficult to adapt to the internal weapons bays of stealth fighters.

We certainly hope that the J-35 can carry the PL-17 because such a combination allows it to penetrate deep into enemy airspace without exposing itself and disable the opponent's command and control and logistics systems from long distances. For example, destroying E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft or KC-46 tankers would greatly weaken the enemy's situational awareness and operational endurance, creating windows for subsequent strikes. This capability aligns closely with China's A2/AD strategy, aiming to restrict the freedom of movement of adversaries in the Asia-Pacific region through multi-layered networks of missiles, ships, and air power.

In addition, the J-35 has been confirmed to be deployed on China's Type 003 Fujian-class aircraft carrier, further expanding its force projection range. Fighters launched from the carrier can penetrate deep into the Western Pacific, threatening US aerial assets in the second island chain and challenging America's long-standing air dominance. China's rapid production capacity and large-scale deployment also provide guarantees for the rapid introduction of the J-35.

In comparison with the American F-35, the unique positioning of the J-35 becomes evident. The F-35, as a multi-role fighter, can carry up to four AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles internally, emphasizing multi-mission flexibility. In contrast, the J-35 focuses more on air superiority and deep-strike missions, with the PL-17's ultra-long range providing it with exclusive advantages against high-value targets. Additionally, the J-35 is expected to become the world's best-performing current-generation stealth fighter, granting it the strongest war survival capability and tactical flexibility, particularly in striking the opponent's deep tactical nodes.

Despite the impressive capabilities of the J-35 and PL-17 combination, the actual ability to load them into the internal weapons bay still requires verification.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the contest of air power may determine the direction of future conflicts. The combination of the J-35 and PL-15 is considered a more reasonable outcome, while the inclusion of smaller-sized PL-17 ammunition undoubtedly injects new strategic chips into the Chinese Air Force. How the United States will respond to China's fighter revolution and the challenge of ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles remains a key suspense in the future air combat landscape of the Western Pacific.



Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509481573121540647/

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