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The PL-15 (Chinese: 霹雳-15; pinyin: Pī Lì-15; literally: "Thunderbolt-15") is an active radar-guided very long range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China. Its range is comparable to that of the European Meteor (missile) and the Russian R-37 (missile)PL-15 is inducted into military service in 2016 and is being carried by the J-10C, J-16 and J-20 aircraft.[1] The missile features an active electronically scanned array radar, which makes evasion difficult for the most agile of fighter jets.[2] It is 4 meters long and incorporates a dual-thrust rocket motor. Upon launch, the missile reaches a speed of mach 4 and is capable of engaging targets at a distance of 150 km.

Compared to Chinese previous generation PL-12, which boasts a maximum range of 100 km, the new and larger PL-15 has a longer radar detection range and increased anti-jamming capability. During the 2018 Airshow China, two J-20 fighters of PLAAF displays their internal payload, with each carrying four PL-15 and two PL-10E in its internal weapons bay. PL-15 effectively increases Chinese Anti-Access/Area Denial capability by targeting key "enabler" targets, such as Aerial refueling and AEW&C aircraft. Military expert Fu Qianshao suggested that China was developing an advanced long-range missile air-to-air missile capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 400 km.[3][4]

Similar weapons[]

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The original article can be found at PL-15 and the edit history here.
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