// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the PL-21 say to its friend? "You're a missile-ary friend
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| PL-21 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 4 m (13 ft)[1] |
Operational range | 300-400 km |
Guidance system | Active radar[2] |
The PL-21 or PL-XX is an under development[3] active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile by the People's Republic of China.
Development and history
[edit]The PL-21 is estimated to have a range of 300[2] to 400 kilometers.[4] and powered by a ramjet engine.[2][1]
See also
[edit]- Gökhan (missile) – (Turkey)
- AIM-260 JATM – (United States)
- Meteor – (France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden)
- Long-Range Engagement Weapon – (United States)
- R-37 (missile) – (Russia)
- PL-15 – (China)
- PL-17 – (China)
Related lists
References
[edit]- 1 2 Barrier & Thornley 2024, p. 131.
- 1 2 3 Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 40.
- ↑ "PL-21 Emerges: China's Deadliest Air-to-Air Missile May Soon Arm Pakistan's Stealth J-35A". Defence Security Asia. 27 May 2025.
The PL-21, which remains under active development by Chinese defence firms, is envisioned as a next-generation missile capable of targeting AWACS, refuelling tankers, and electronic warfare aircraft from ranges exceeding 400 kilometers.
- ↑ Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 41.
Sources
[edit]- Barrie, Douglas; Thornley, Ben (May 2024). "Waiting in the Wings: The Asia-Pacific Air-to-air Challenge" (PDF). Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2024. International Institute for Strategic Studies. ISBN 978-1-003-53006-0.
- Wood, Peter; Yang, David; Cliff, Roger (November 2020). Air-to-Air Missiles: Capabilities And Development in China (PDF). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. ISBN 9798574996270. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
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