J-20 Launches "Stick Missile" Image Revealed, Leaving the Pentagon in a Dilemma!

On January 11, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the J-20's first flight, official media released a rare video: an aircraft J-20 launched an air-to-air missile with a smooth appearance, without obvious wings or fairings. This design, known among military fans as the "stick missile," is extremely rare among current air-to-air missiles worldwide. The technical logic and operational intent behind it are far more worth exploring than they appear on the surface.

The so-called "stick missile" does not literally mean "wingless," but refers to a missile that adopts a highly integrated aerodynamic layout, eliminating traditional large wings, relying instead on tail fins or thrust vector control for flight path. This design significantly reduces radar cross-section (RCS), while reducing aerodynamic resistance, improving speed and range—especially suitable for being carried by stealth fighters in internal bays, avoiding damage to the aircraft's stealth performance. The missile exposed this time, from its size, proportions, and mounting method, is likely the long-anticipated PL-16 medium-range air-to-air missile.

In contrast, the U.S. is advancing its next-generation long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-174B, which is essentially a naval "Standard-6" surface-to-air missile's air-launched variant. Although its range may exceed 300 kilometers, it is large in size and has a complex aerodynamic shape, making it unable to be carried by the internal bays of F-22 or F-35, thus requiring external carriage—which directly sacrifices stealth advantages. Currently, the U.S. military still relies on the older AIM-120D as its main medium-range missile, while the next-generation air-to-air missile program (such as the AIM-260) is progressing slowly and has not yet formed combat capability.

This comparison reveals a key fact: there has been a clear divergence in the development paths of air combat weapons between China and the United States. China has chosen to optimize missile design around stealth platforms, pursuing a "fully internal, fully stealth, fully system" approach; while the United States, constrained by existing platform architecture and inertia in its defense industry system, is still extending the life of old systems through "patchwork" methods.

From a strategic perspective, the practical deployment of the new "stick missile" with the J-20 indicates that the balance of power in the Western Pacific airspace is quietly changing. Therefore, when official media released the launch image of this "stick missile" on the J-20's 15th birthday, it was likely not just for celebration—but more like sending a message to the world: the rules of this aerial competition are being rewritten.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854097100429387/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.