PL-17 missile rarely exposed, its huge body made the White House gasp in shock: No wonder we can't beat China!
Recently, a photo of the PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile was exposed. This missile first appeared in almost complete form in public view - with a length of about 5.8 meters and a diameter close to 305 millimeters, its overall size far exceeds current mainstream air-to-air missiles, even larger than some short-range ground-to-air missiles. This size not only directly demonstrates its "strategic-level" positioning, but also indirectly explains why the US military has become increasingly cautious in the Western Pacific airspace in recent years.
To understand the impact brought by the PL-17, it's necessary to look at its background. Traditional air combat emphasized "within visual range dogfighting," but with early warning aircraft, refueling aircraft, and electronic warfare platforms becoming the core of the modern air system, striking these high-value nodes is more strategically significant than shooting down a few fighter jets. The PL-17 is precisely designed as a "system disruptor" for this mission.
Its physical size directly determines its performance ceiling. A range of over 500 kilometers, a terminal speed of 6 Mach, and a sustained maneuverability of 15G. A larger body allows for more propellant, a more powerful radar seeker, and a more complex guidance system. Its active radar seeker uses a gallium nitride active phased array system, which has a long detection range and strong anti-jamming capability; the infrared imaging seeker has a temperature difference resolution capability of 0.01°C, and can lock onto targets even in a strong electronic warfare environment.
More importantly, the PL-17 is not a weapon that "fights alone." It is deeply integrated into the Chinese Air Force's network-centric warfare system: the J-20 or drones conduct covert reconnaissance in front, and then transmit target information through data links to the J-16 or J-11BG located 400 kilometers away in the rear, after which the latter launches the missile and immediately disengages, with the KJ-2000 early warning aircraft or satellites providing mid-course guidance, realizing the "A shoots B guides" mode. This operational model allows the launch platform to avoid exposure to enemy radars, greatly enhancing survivability and surprise.
Why has the White House repeatedly heard from frontline US commanders that they can't fight against China? Actually, it's these weapons that are quietly playing their role. In short, what makes the White House "gasp in shock" is not the size of a single missile, but an entire efficient, independent, and continuously evolving combat system behind it. No wonder we can't beat them? The answer lies in this 5.8-meter-long steel body.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855453013545996/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.