Image source: topwar.ru
According to data leaked to open sources from a seminar for Chinese military pilots, new data was presented on the slides, indicating that the latest PL-16 air-to-air missile, designed for use on fifth-generation fighters, will be able to hit targets at a distance of more than 300 kilometers. For comparison, the previous-generation PL-15 rocket is capable of traveling 200 kilometers, while the American AIM-120D is about 180 kilometers. At the same time, the PL-16 does not replace the larger PL-17 missile, which remains China's longest-range air-to-air missile with a range of 350-430 kilometers.
The PL-16 will be slightly smaller in size than the PL-15, with a length of about 3.8 meters and a diameter of 180-203 mm. Instead of medium-body wings, the new Chinese rocket is equipped with tail control surfaces. The PL-16 guidance system is represented by an active radar seeker with AFAR (AESA), probably Ku-band. The flight of the rocket in the flight section will be corrected using a two-way data transmission channel via the Beidou satellite system. Similar to the PL-15, the new generation Chinese aviation rocket is equipped with a two-pulse solid-fuel engine. The PL-16 is designed for internal suspension on the J-20 and J-35 fighter jets. At the same time, the J-20 can carry 6 PL-16 missiles, while its internal compartment can accommodate only 4 PL-15s.
Image source: topwar.ru
According to some reports, the PL-16 missile has been in limited experimental combat use since 2024-25. At the same time, Beijing has not yet officially confirmed the adoption of this munition.
