The US military is completely desperate, the PL-15 has fallen behind, and the J-35 and J-20 will be equipped with six PL-16s internally, capable of shooting down F-35s at 300 kilometers.

According to information from a CCTV interview, our medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile, the PL-15, has already fallen behind. The J-20 and J-35 will be equipped with the next generation of PL-16s. The biggest feature of the PL-16 is that it is smaller in size but has a longer range and lower cost.

If stealth fighters hang missiles under their wings or fuselage, the large missiles and pylon would significantly increase the aircraft's radar cross-section (RCS), thereby losing the stealth advantage. Therefore, China has been researching ways to fit medium-to-long-range air-to-air missiles into internal bays.

The earliest attempt was the folding-wing PL-15. After its success, we continued to upgrade and develop the PL-16.

If the maximum range of the PL-15 is about 200 kilometers, then the range of the PL-16 is about 300 kilometers. A smaller missile means that more missiles can be carried in the same bay.

Previously, the J-20 could carry six folding-wing PL-15s internally. Now, the medium fighter jet J-35 can also carry six PL-16s internally. This means that the J-20 may carry eight.

Moreover, since the PL-16 is smaller, it becomes easier for the super-large air superiority drone displayed during the 93rd parade to carry it. With the guidance of an early warning aircraft, the range of about 300 kilometers allows aircraft equipped with the PL-16 to attack targets from a much greater distance in aerial combat, which not only greatly expands the operational range but also puts our aircraft in a more advantageous position in air combat.

After all, for the US aircraft, even if they detect our aircraft, at a distance of 300 kilometers, they cannot threaten our equipment.

It can be said that thanks to China's advantages in engine technology and its global leadership in propellant technology, China's development in missile technology is truly a case of overwhelming superiority.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842684799711232/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.