PL-17
The PL-17 (NATO reporting name: CH-AA-12 Auger) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided very-long-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The missile has a claimed range of more than 400 km (250 mi) and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
PL-17
- Field
- air-to-air missile
- Region
- People's Republic of China
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
The PL-17 (NATO reporting name: CH-AA-12 Auger) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided very-long-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The missile has a claimed range of more than 400 km (250 mi) and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
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wikidata · Q115802367 · wikipedia · PL-17
In this article
History and development
History and development
The missile was tested on a Shenyang J-16 fighter in 2016, and can also be deployed on Chinese imported Su-30MKK and Su-35 fighters. It is understood that PL-17 is a separate development from the ramjet-powered PL-21 (PL-XX). In October 2022, Chinese state media reported that the PL-17 entered PLAAF service.
Design
Design
PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at 6 m (20 ft) long (whereas PL-15, AIM-120 are measured around 4 m (13 ft) long), which contains more solid fuel. The extended length makes the missile unfit for the internal weapons bay of the Chengdu J-20. During the flight, PL-17 would rely on inertial guidance, satellite navigation, and data-link to track targets. During the terminal phase, the missile would turn on its multimodal seeker with both active radar and passive sensors. The sensors include, reportedly, a miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for tracking, passive anti-radiation seeker for locating radar-equipped targets, and a possible optical window feautring an additional infrared seeker as supplement. The missile body features a low-drag profile, and maneuverability is provided by four small control fins and thrust-vectoring engines. Estimates for its maximum operational range may vary (300–500 km (190–310 mi)), but the widely reported figure is ~400 km. The missile is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor and flies in lofted launch trajectory to achieve the reported range of 400 km (250 mi) class, according to the Royal United Services Institute. It has a top speed in excess of Mach 4.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/chinas-pl-17-missile-ripples-through-indo-pacific-defense/
- 2.https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/chinas-pl-17-missile-ripples-through-indo-pacific-defense/
- 3.Barrie, Douglas. Phoenix successor redux: the USN's range riposte to China's PL-17?. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 29 July 2024.
- 4.Newdick, Thomas. China's Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close. The War Zone. January 27, 2026.
- 5.Barrie, Douglas. Air-to-air missiles push the performance, payload envelope. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 20 January 2024.
- 6.Barrie, Douglas. China fires longer-range AAM at export market. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 8 October 2021.
- 7.Williams, Zachary. Takeaways From China's Zhuhai Air Show 2022. The Diplomat. 21 November 2022.
- 8.Rogoway, Tyler. Shadowy New Missile Appears Under the Wing of Chinese J-16 Fighter. The Drive. 21 November 2016.
- 9.China Aerospace Studies Institute. PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China's Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces. 2022.
- 10.Newdick, Thomas. A Guide To China's Increasingly Impressive Air-To-Air Missile Inventory. The Drive. 1 September 2022.
- 11.一剑封喉/霹雳17远攻 空空导弹之王. Ta Kung Pao. 28 November 2022.
- 12.Newdick, Thomas. China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close. The War Zone. 27 January 2026.
- 13.Bronk, Justin. Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook. Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. 3-20. October 2020. 1750-9432.
- 14.Air-to-air missiles push the performance, payload envelope. IISS.
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1- air-to-air missileTerminology
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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