During the India-Pakistan air combat, long-range air-to-air missiles have demonstrated their value and proved that China is leading globally in the field of long-range air-to-air missiles. Now there's another good news: China is developing a ultra-long-range air-to-air missile with a range of 1000 kilometers. According to a recent report by the Indian media "Eurasia Times", China is developing a hypersonic air-to-air missile with a range of 1000 kilometers, which will "redefine air-to-air missile technology".

1000 km range, B-21 and F-22 have no escape (Indian media report screenshot)

Then these Russian long-range missiles are no longer long-range missiles

In modern air combat, air-to-air missiles are the main weapons, while aircraft cannons have become optional. Nowadays, the importance of long-range air-to-air missiles is increasing, and the farther the range, the better. Unexpectedly, China is developing a hypersonic air defense missile with a range of 1000 kilometers. Once put into use, it can redefine air combat and force enemy aircraft not to take off.

The range of modern air-to-air missiles has not yet reached 1000 kilometers. Usually, reaching 200 kilometers is a challenge. The Russian R-37M air-to-air missile has only 400 kilometers, and the Chinese PL-17 air-to-air missile has a range of 400 kilometers. If it reaches 1000 kilometers, it not only can change the theory of air combat but may also change the balance of power.

We don't have any air-to-air missile model exceeding 400 kilometers

Currently, China, the United States, and Russia are the leading countries in the technology of long-range air-to-air missiles. It is unexpected that China will lead significantly. Before the report by the Indian media "Eurasia Times", American media also reported that China is developing an ultra-long-range air-to-air missile, and proposed that its design should not only reach a range of 1000 kilometers, but also a maximum speed close to 10 Maches, mainly targeting high-value targets such as early warning aircraft, refueling aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft.

From the perspective of the aircraft used for carrying, this long-range air-to-air missile will become the main weapon of the J-36. The reason is simple: due to the "unprecedented" range, the size and weight of the missile cannot be too small. The J-10 fighter jet is basically unable to carry it, and the J-20 fighter jet cannot fit into the internal weapons bay, so it can only be carried externally, which is not very meaningful. Only the J-36 fighter jet being developed, due to its larger size, can accommodate the ultra-long-range air-to-air missile with a range of 1000 kilometers in the internal weapons bay. This is a very important hardware condition.

The size of the PL-15 is already quite large, and many technical modifications were made to fit it into the J-20 weapons bay

Another point is that the J-36 fighter jet, as a sixth-generation aircraft, will be equipped with new sensors. Combined with the guidance from early warning aircraft and satellite relays, it is completely possible to have the capability to support ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles.

The J-36 fighter jet applies a brand-new design concept, emphasizing coordination with other units, and can obtain target information from allies. It is said that stratospheric floating yachts can detect up to 2000 kilometers in the upper atmosphere. If equipped with "space-based mercury infrared detection devices" to detect thermal signals from aircraft engine exhaust, the maximum detection distance for a stealth target flying at 8000 meters is 1800 kilometers. If it's a satellite, the detection distance is even further. The new super radar being developed on the Type 055 large destroyer can detect targets as far as 4500 kilometers away, all of which can support the operation of ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles.

The J-36 will also have its own super weapon

From all aspects, the J-36 fighter jet is the most ideal platform for ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles. This will have a decisive significance. The maximum range and operational range of modern air-to-air missiles are two concepts. The operational range is only two-thirds of the maximum range. For example, the maximum range of the US AIM-120C air-to-air missile is 120 kilometers, but the actual engagement range cannot exceed 80 kilometers, otherwise the hit rate is extremely low. If the range is 1000 kilometers, the operational range would be only 600 kilometers, which would have a crushing performance advantage.

Currently, the surveillance range of early warning aircraft is not very large. The surveillance diameter of the E-2 early warning aircraft is 800 kilometers, and the surveillance diameter of the Airborne Early Warning-3000 is 1000 kilometers, equivalent to a radius of 500 kilometers. A range of 1000 kilometers means that the missile can be launched before the early warning aircraft detects the missile carrier platform.

PL-21 missile model in the imagination

About the range of long-range air-to-air missiles, India knows best. In the India-Pakistan air combat, the PL-15E air-to-air missile made India realize the advantages of long range, which were overwhelming. At that time, none of the Indian fighter jets entered the Pakistani controlled area, but still six were shot down, and the furthest falling location was more than 100 kilometers from the de facto line. Therefore, after the incident, it was found that the actual range of the PL-15E air-to-air missile reached more than 180 kilometers.

In the Ukraine-Russia war, there is no problem of dogfighting anymore. The Russian military's fighter jets no longer carry dogfighting missiles. The practical combat between India and Pakistan has further proven the value of beyond-visual-range air combat. Whoever has a longer missile range has an advantage, which has become a basic principle of air combat.

We have been developing air-to-air missiles with a longer range

Previously, American media claimed that the United States had the longest-range air-to-air missiles and the most advanced technology. However, the practical combat has shown that the United States has now fallen behind China and Russia. China is already leading far ahead. A range of 400 kilometers is no longer sufficient for China's requirements. 1000 kilometers is just the latest requirement, not the final goal. According to information from the U.S. intelligence agencies, China is currently developing a surface-to-air missile with a range of 1600 kilometers.

Now, in the field of military technology, China has moved from a state of catching up to a leading position. The wheel of fortune has turned, and now it's the United States that is chasing behind.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529764420085137946/

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