EAST VS WEST: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ONGOING AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE COLD WAR
Recent Air-to-Air missile (AAM) technological advancements in China, rapidly elevating it as a near peer competitor to the Western and Russian AAM development philosophies, has unlocked a new race to own the longest reach in the skies.
How China is taking the Air-to-Air missile lead in the East
In recent years, China’s technological strides and development of a wide range of air-to-air missiles (AAM) has promoted some nations to integrate these missiles on their fighter fleet, or simply go in for collaboration/ purchase of a Chinese combat aircraft like the Chengdu JF-17 Thunder. The JF-17, developed in partnership with Pakistan, has been exported to Myanmar and Nigeria and promises to equip a host of third world countries with an affordable option towards beyond visual range (BVR) needs for domination of the skies. The Chinese are also aggressively marketing their now highly mature fourth generation platform — the Chengdu J-10C Vigorous Dragon equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed by No. 14 Institute and a potent suite of AAMs for the export market, including the LETRI PiLi-15 or the PL-15, the most advanced long range BVR AAM in service with People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Meanwhile, the world is taking note of these fast paced developments towards China’s quest to develop next generation AAMs; which beyond the massive scaling up of PLAAF’s ability to hold its own in contested airspace, will also effect the market share of other nations in the AAM export arena in the coming years.
The pace of development of AAMs in China has been nothing short of remarkable, with the focussed and near clinical might of the powerful Chinese state thrown behind this key capability, specifically being developed to counter the global expeditionary deployment and air domination of the United States Air Force (USAF) and the United Sates Navy (USN). Interestingly in the 1990s, China’s air-to-air missile inventory consisted of weapons purchased from Russia or direct copies of them and western AAMs like the AIM-9 Sidewinder and Matra Magic. China also secured a large number of Python 3 AAMs from Israel, which were license manufactured as the Luoyang PiLi-8 or PL-8. The transformation to an indigenous AAM development pipeline took place with induction of the Russian Su-27 Flanker platform, wherein the Chinese closely took a look at the advances made by the Russians in this domain and blatantly reverse engineered Russian AAMs. Access to a host of technologies and scientists working in the field of AAMs after the collapse of the Soviet Union, also helped China’s cause.
The Leihua Electronic Research Institute (LETRI) and the No. 607 institute’s PiLi 12/ PL-12 beyond visual range (BVR) active homing AAM was the first potential success story for the Chinese home industry, development for which was started in the nineties. Based on the Russian R-77, the PL-12 was developed specifically to counter the US AIM-120 AMRAAM. The miniaturised AMR-1 active seeker, a copy of the Russian 9B-1348 seeker on the R-77, was developed with help from AGAT Research Institute in Moscow. The datalink and actuators also needed support from the Russians. In comparison to the AMRAAM, the PL-12 is longer, wider and heavier, with tail mounted control fins having distinctive notch cuttings at their base. The PL-12 has two datalink antennas for mid-course guidance and houses a radio proximity command fuse for the warhead. A variable thrust solid fuel motor offers two levels of power for use during boost phase trajectory, providing a decent no escape zone (NEZ). With development of followup versions, improved ECCM is now available. The overall performance of the PL-12 possibly rivals the R-77 (RVV-AE) and AIM-120 C-4.
Significantly, the PL-12A/B/C (the C vesion having foldable tail fins) allowed the Chinese industry to understand the nuances of this high technology domain very well, primarily how a modern AAM development looked like; spawning a wide range of in-house R&D while gradually reducing their reliance on external support from Russia. Ramjet propulsion has been believed to be tested on the PL-12D variant. The PL-12 AAM has been exported under the designation SD-10A with the JF-17 platform. The SD-10B promises a far greater NEZ, better anti-jam capability and possible passive homing ability against Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The maximum range of the PL-12 varies between 60–90 km.
China’s roadmap of development expanded beyond the PL-12 with the Luoyang PiLi-10/ PL-10, an advanced dogfight weapon developed to counter western missiles like the AIM-132 ASRAAM, IRIS-T, A-Darter and the AIM-9X. Development began at the Luoyang Electro-Optical Centre around 2004–5. The PL-10 features a multi-element imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, laser proximity fuse, a thrust vectoring motor, with an off bore-sight capability of 90 degrees. It has a lock on after launch (LOAL) capability, which gives it beyond the within visual range engagement capability, much like the MBDA ASRAAM and the South African A-Darter. It is believed to have entered initial production in 2013 equipping all fighter types in the PLAAF, as well as export JF-17 sales. This missile will be effective out to 30–40 km and in terms of performance, may rival similar within visual range (WVR) designs across the world.
The LETRI PiLi-15/PL-15 is the most advanced AAM deployed by the PLAAF in recent years. An evolution of the PL-12, the PL-15 has been redesigned with a cropped main and tail control fins with a smaller wingspan to fit into the internal weapon bay of the next generation J-20 and the J-31 fighters. It is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor, giving it an estimated range of 200 km with a large NEZ. It is equipped with a two-way datalink for dynamic re-targetting in air. The active seeker uses an AESA aperture developed by No. 607 institute, which has a narrow target acquisition beam. The AESA seeker also gives robust ECCM capability. The missile was tested in 2015 and now equips the J-10C and the J-16s, as well as the limited number of J-20s in service.
Incidentally all carrier types are equipped with an AESA airborne interception (AI) radar, which gives them ability to launch the missile in LOAL mode and guide the PL-15 through the data link in an active or a passive mid course guidance routine from the same/ different platform till such time the AAM goes active (A-Pole). This works well for slashing and stealthy attacks by these fighters, especially the J-20 with its low observable (LO) features. It is also believed that mid course target update may also be available vide special mission aircraft like the KJ-2000/500/200 AEW&C, much similar to the passive guidance available on the AIM-120D AMRAAM. Like the US, China has realises the challenges of squeezing more missiles into the weapons bay of LO fighter, with four PL-15s fitting into the bay of the J-20. However, the Chinese may be working on a further compressed version of the PL-15 (PL-16?), with a performance similar to the PL-15. This will ensure that more long range AAMs can be carried inside the conformal weapons bay of the J-20. Nonetheless, the PL-15 is the weapon of concern for the rest of the world, having an ability to match up to the long range engagement envelope of the MBDA Meteor and the Russian R-37M. It possibly outranges the USAF’s latest version of the AMRAAM, the AIM-120D; precisely the reason why Lockheed Martin has been urgently tasked to develop the AIM-260 and restore the balance back in favour of the United States Air Force.
And then there is the very long range PL-XX (possibly PL-17?) AAM. First seen on a PLAAF J-16 in late 2016, this massively lengthy missile has been dubbed the ‘flying telegraph poles’ in the west. The PL-XX is most surely meant to engage and hold at risk assets like AEW&C aircraft and air refuelling tankers out to 300+ km. It most probably has a large dual pulse rocket motor and equipped with an AESA terminal homing radar seeker. Some reports also indicate a secondary imaging infra red seeker, which will help increase the kill probability (PK). The VLRAAM is expected to fly a ballistic trajectory in the stratosphere to achieve its long range much like the erstwhile AIM-54 Phoenix. Presently the PL-XX has no match in the west, though the R-37M has a similar high trajectory interception profile. The first successful test flight of the missile was carried out in 2016 and as of now, it is mated only with the Shenyang J-16 fighter.
China is also exploring ramjet technology, experimenting with variants on the PL-12 and other types to develop a missile like the MBDA Meteor. While it is a matter of time before such technology is available to the Chinese, the ongoing production focus is on dual pulse, large form factor, solid fuel rocket motors to increase the range, as well as the no escape zone (NEZ).
Newer captive technology is also being acquired from Russia like the R-77–1 (RVV-SD) with a range of over 100 km, which is the primary armament on the newly acquired Su-35 fighters of PLAAF. This weapon, especially its active seeker and datalink, will be studied for its worth and benefit the future versions of the PL-12/15s. Ironically, the Chinese achievements in development of AESA seeker for its AAMs, has outpaced similar efforts in Russia. In fact, the newer generation of Chinese AAMs, especially the PL-15; may be half a generation ahead of the Russian air-to-air missile development effort. If one takes a look at what the Chinese have invested into their AAM development in terms of raw capital and contrast it with the Russian equivalent, there is simply no comparison. But are the Russians really behind in the air-to-air missile arms race?
A resurgent Russia bounces back
Russia’s air-to-air missile industry has been steadily bouncing back in the past decade. It was severely restricted by very limited internal investment post the collapse of the Soviet Union. Only the exports kept the missile complexes going. The Vympel R-77 (RVV-AE) NATO designation AA-12 Adder and the Russian equivalent of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, entered Russian Air Force (RuAF) service only around 2015 when it was available for export in the end 1990s. The RuAF has now widely deployed the advanced variant of the missile, the R-77–1 (RVV-SD) on its Sukhoi fleet. This has an engagement range of 100+ km with a redesigned active radar AGAT seeker and new fins. Russian Su-35s have routinely been seen with this type during practice intercepts of NATO assets in the Baltic zone, over the Black sea and Syria.
The R-77 also has a testbed ramjet version designated the R-77-PD. A more advanced version designated the R-77M or izdeliye 180, is being developed for Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon low observable fifth generation fighter and the existing Su-35S Flanker-M. The missile features an under development AESA active seeker head and has a large solid state, dual pulse motor with conventional fins. A ramjet version of same designated K-77ME is also under development.
The K-77M is intended to match up to the AIM-120D and the PL-15, while the K-77ME is meant to take on the ramjet approach demonstrated on the MBDA Meteor. The targeted range of the R-77M will be between 130–150km.
For targets beyond 200km, the RuAF has inducted the R-37M (NATO designation AA-13 Axehead). The missile and its variants also have the names K-37, izdeliye 610 and RVV-BD. The R-37M is an updated version of the R-37 AAM, which was meant to be the primary armament of the MiG-31 Foxhound against stand-off targets like tanker and AWACS aircraft. Testing of the R-37 continued through the 1990s. In 1994, a trial round scored a kill at a range of 162 nautical miles (300 km). However, the program appears to have been dropped around 1998 on grounds of cost.
Work on the missile was restarted in late 2006 as part of the MiG-31BM program to update the Foxhound with a new radar and LR air engagement capability. In 2018, the R-37M finished its operational validation tests. It flies at is hypersonic (Mach 5+) speeds and has a range exceeding 300km. The range depends on the flight profile, from150 km for a direct shot, to 400 km for a cruise glide profile in the stratosphere. It may well also be carried by the Su-35 and the Su-57. The missile can be guided semi-actively or actively through Agat 9B-1388 active seeker. The R-37M is stated to have the ability to engage supersonic cruise missile carrying bombers like the B-1 Lancer, as well as the cruise missile projectiles. The weapon deployed on the MiG-31BM, offers a very unique long range interception capability to the RuAF, unbeaten by any air force in the world at present. A likely upgrade with an AESA seeker may happen in the near future.
Russia is also grappling with a need to replace its R-73/4 (NATO codename AA-11 Archer) within visual range (WVR) AAM for some time. Although a gamechanger when introduced in the 1990s with its massive off-bore sight lock on capability, the lack of an imaging infra red (IIR) seeker makes it very vulnerable to modern countermeasures. An improved version of the R-74, the K-74M izdeliye 750 has been developed, which features fully digital and re-programmable systems and an IIR seeker, intended for use on the Mig-35/29 and the Su-30/34/35 family. A further upgrade, known as the K-74M2 izdeliye 760, is intended for the Su-57 aircraft. This missile has reduced cross section to fit in internal weapon bays and will match the performance of the AIM-9X, ASRAAM and the PL-10. The K-74M has an effective range of 35km.
A recent snap at the Vympel factory shows the presence of another AAM, which is distinctively shorter than the R-74. While no information is available on this type, it is believed to be a WVR development for the Su-57 platform and may be carried in the internal weapons bay. It is indicated by the red arrow in the photo below.
What is noteworthy is the rapid spike in China’s AAM development ability, which has unnerved the Russians to a great extent. Investments in Russian programs in the last decade have partially been spurred by China’s ability to fast track this vertical. Concerns that China will undercut the Russian AAM export market share, have proven to be correct. China is positioning its military hardware with its economic Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), tactically pushing its military hardware on third world nations at a cost effective price point . Prime examples of this effort is Myanmar, which has received Russian military aid in the past. While Russia does not have an economic might to put behind defence development initiatives the way China does, a resurgent nationalistic agenda in Moscow is helping the revival of next generation aerospace & defence programs to an extent. It is here, that the Sukhoi Su-57 development and upgrades to the MiG-31 and Su-35 fleet, will drive induction of more competitive AAMs in the near future geared to counter the NATO alliance. These will also more often than not, find their way to the export market dovetailed with sale of Russian fighter aircraft.
The Russians however seem to very well realise that unless they promptly scale up research in next generation AAM technologies, the capability gap between the West as well as China, will only keep widening — especially on the bang for the buck scale. That would crucially hit Russia’s profitable defence export market share.
The West’s Consistent Technology Push
The deadliest air-to-air missile in the world is the MBDA Meteor, which got operational in 2016 on the SAAB Gripen fighter fleet and now also equips the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale. The Meteor possibly outranges all missiles in the world while engaging manoeuvring targets at long range. A core capability on the Meteor is the world’s first operationalised ramjet motor. At launch, the Meteor is boosted to a speed above Mach 2 by a conventional motor, propelled by fuel from a chamber, which eventually becomes the ramjet combustion chamber when the rocket fuel expends. Above Mach 2, the missile transitions to ramjet operations, maintaining a ‘throttle able’ speed upto Mach 5. This massively boosts the range and the Meteor’s kill probability (PK) till , achieved through a very large No Escape Zone (NEZ), within which the target cannot kinematically outrun the missile. The AIM-120D and the PL-15 have a NEZ much smaller than the Meteor since the Meteor with its throttle able engine can vary and use optimal fuel during cruise, and accelerate toward the target during the terminal phase of the engagement (endgame) with a far higher potential energy state.
In contrast, while the AMRAAM has a dual impulse engine, once the boost phase is over and the missile coasts, it will fly unpowered for a larger portion of the NEZ. The Meteor with its Ramjet propulsion, sidesteps the second way to boost range as in the PL-15, PL/XX and the R-37M, which carry more propellent. This leads to bigger and heavier missile systems, limiting the number of fighters types which may be able to carry them. The Meteor thus is a weapon of choice for the current crop of fighters in European service. What the Meteor has done is to make sure that European Air Forces have a weapon that maintains long range superiority over the Chinese PL-15 and the Russian R-77–1; in a way that the US AIM-120 cannot. So while ramjets are a way forward for the AAMs to extend their engagement range and envelope, it comes with a cost intensive premium tag and may not be the first choice for all end users, including the United States.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is the West’s most proliferated air-to-air missile and the US has concentrated on miniaturisation of technology, rather than increasing the size of the AIM-120 through its life cycle to expand its range, engagement envelope and PK over the past few decades. It has largely succeeded and the present top of the line iteration, the AIM-120D is propelled by a dual pulse solid fuel motor, a superbly jam resistant RF seeker and a bi-directional data link, achieving a range which is classified, but may be in tune of 150–180 km. This has been achieved maintaining reliability within the original form factor, albeit with minor changes to control surfaces over the previous iterations. The AIM-120D equips USAF’s premier fighters like the F-22, F-35, F-15 and the F-16s, giving them a measure of long range air domination across a variety of missions.
However, the arrival of the Chinese PL-15 AAM in 2016, has changed the dynamics of air supremacy as perceived by the USAF. For the first time, the US faces a near peer state competitor, capable of engaging its air assets at ranges equal to or greater than the engagement capability of the USAF missiles, effectively outranging them. The PL-15 mated with a LO platform like the J-20, as well as the incoming Russian Su-57 armed with a R-77M/ME, could well erode away the supremacy enjoyed by US fifth generation fighters like the F-22 and the F-35. In addition, the AIM-120 is fast reaching a stalemate in the miniaturisation effort to performance achieved matrix. Further reduction in size of internal components may not be able to give any worthwhile increase in long range performance even with the use of newer grades of chemical propellents. Interestingly, while research is taking place in the development of newer propellent mixes to increase the pulse peak power, nothing seems to be available for porting onto the AIM-120 family. In addition, measures to clean up the existing aerodynamic form factor will only yield minor results in the existing design. The USAF realises that it needs a newer and more potent BVR AAM for carriage in the internal weapons bays of its premier LO fighter fleet.
Towards this, The U.S. Air Force and the Navy have been quietly working together to develop a new air-to-air missile called the AIM-260 that will replace AIM-120 AMRAAM. The AIM-260 program, also known as the Joint Air Tactical Missile (JATM), has been going on since 2017, but was publically discussed for the first time in 2019. JATM has hired Lockheed Martin to develop a new air-to-air missile. According to USAF, the AIM-260 will maintain the form factor of the AIM-120 and not use a ramjet motor like the Meteor. At the same time the missile will outclass the competition from the PL-15 and expected versions of the R-77 in Russia. It is possible that advances in rocket motor and warhead technology may be enough to provide a considerable boost in range when combined with a new, streamlined body. It may have a set of minuatiurised electronics and a warhead that offers improved lethality in a smaller package to create space for additional rocket fuel. The AIM-260 may employ a mixed propellent, as is envisaged for France’s Mica NG missile, which intends to use a dual pulse motor developed by Roxel that provides the weapon with upto 30% more range. The pulse will also provide more power when dealing with engagement of highly manoeuvrable targets. The new version of Mica is set to debut in 2026. The AIM 260 may employ a technologically advanced philosophy of the Israeli I-Derby ER (Extended Range) AAM. The upgraded I-Derby missile is equipped with a software-defined active radar seeker, which activates the warhead, doing away with any manner of proximity fuse. This creates additional space for the rocket propellent, which boosts the range. Further, an AESA based RF seeker with its low energy requirements and good counter measures, will help reduce the size and shape of core electronics further, extending the target acquisition and lock on envelope. Japan’s AAM-4B missile has an AESA seeker, which can switch to its own active guidance (A-Pole) at 40% greater range than the AIM-120. This allows the fighter updating the missile towards mid course guidance to ‘snip’ at a further stand off range, thus allowing the fighter far greater flexibility in the engagement zone. AESA is also the way forward for the RF guidance Mica NG discussed above. Hence, while the AIM-260 is still 3–5 years away from active service, there are enough indicators to what technologies the missile is likely to utilise.
It is also worth noting that the AIM-260 appears to be just one part of a future family of advanced air-to-air weapons. The JATM program is separate from the Long Range Engagement Weapon (LREW) project. This program has worked as an exploratory initiative used to identify the overall concept, technologies, kill chain structure, and baseline requirements for a new long-range air-to-air missile or family of missiles. Such a weapon could well leverage a new family of small, hit-to-kill, intermediate to short-range air-to-air missiles as primary payload attached to a booster. This would maximize weight for propellant and the payload. The weapon could also be used without a booster for far shorter range engagements. A part of them would also be utilised as defensive hard kill missiles, which could react along with defensive suites like chaff and flares.
Progressive and meaningful upgrades have also kept the West’s shorter range weapons relevant. The AIM-9X Sidewinder is the top dog NATO missile with thrust vectoring flight controls, a strengthened airframe to cope for extreme maneuvering and a high resolution Imaging Infra Red (IIR) staring focal plane array seeker in the nose. Raytheon has also added a smarter fuse and data link to the AAM for Lock on after launch (LOAL) options, much like the Python -5, MBDA ASRAAM and IRIS-T, which share similar technologies. The Chinese PL-10 and the Russian K-74 also come close in matching up to these western IIR AAMs. Hence, engagements in the within visual range (WVR) bubble, would always pose problems for the engaging assets with equivalent technologies where ECM & ECCM measures would play a dominant role in aircraft survivability.
While the existing European fourth generation platforms will continue to harness the potential of missiles like the Meteor and the planned Mica NG for long range engagements while increasing their carriage options; for the USAF, it will be low observable aircraft which will drive the next genre of AAMs developments. These platforms may be able to approach their targets using stealth, but will be restricted by the few weapons they carry in their internal weapons bay (6 x AIM-120, 2 x AIM-9 for F-22 and 4 x AIM-120 for the F-35) to shoot down threats in contested airspace. And this is where small form factor, yet missiles with a high kill probability (PK) are likely to proliferate. Raytheon has proposed the 1.8m long Peregrine AAM with a multi mode autonomous seeker, with the range of the AIM-120D and the manoeuvrability of the AIM-9X. Lockheed Martin has also unveiled its CUDA hit to kill weapons technology.
Simply put, smaller missiles with advanced capabilities may be the next major step in evolution of future AAMs for the USAF, which having spent so much on stealth aircraft, would certainly like to boost their cost effectiveness per kill.
Rest of the World
The only worthwhile effort in the beyond visual range (BVR) missiles domain outside the US, Europe, Russia, Israel and China is taking place in Japan & India.
In 1999, the Japanese unveiled the Mitsubishi AAM-4 Type 99 air-to-air missile, 99式空対空誘導弾 (99 Shiki Kūtaikū Yūdōdan)), which is a medium range active radar homing BVR devloped in Japan to replace the AIM-7 Sparrow for service on the F-15J and F-2. The remarkably improved AAM-4B, which entered production in 2010 , was the world’s first air-to-air missile with an AESA radar. The AAM-4B is however large to be carried in the weapons bay of the newly inducted F-35 Lightning II. Hence, in 2014 Japan announced a collaboration with the United Kingdom to study the development and integration of a new Joint New Air-to-Air Missile JNAAM for service on JSDAF F-35s. MBDA UK is the prime contractor on the slightly modified Meteor missile, which can fit in the internal weapons bay of the F-35. The JNAAM will combine the UK’s missile-related technologies and Japanese AESA seeker technologies, possibly with some adjustments to help the missile fit better in the F-35 weapons bay. JNAAM will address the threat posed to Japan by the Chinese PL-15 and Pl-XX. By amalgamating the long range, large NEZ USP of the Meteor with the highly advanced Japanese AESA seeker with greater detection ranges than the AIM-120D, the Japanese will have a very unique and deadly missile in their arsenal.
The Indian Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed the Astra, an all weather medium range AAM. Astra is equipped with a locally developed RF active seeker with a good anti-jam capability for terminal homing. It has a dual pulse rocket solid motor which offers decent potential during engame maneuvers. A dual axis data link connects the missile to the carrier aircraft during mid course guidance and terminal targeting phase. It is capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets at a distance of 10 km and long-range targets up to a distance of 110 km. Astra has been integrated with the Indian Air Force Su-30MKI and the HAL Tejas fighters. Limited series production of Astra missiles began in 2017. In terms of capability, the Astra Mark 1 is equivalent to the AIM-120 C-7 and the R-77–1 AAMs.
After the development of Astra Mark 1, three new variants are planned for future. Astra IR close combat missile with imaging infrared (IIR) for shorter range up to 40 km. Astra Mark 2 with larger engagement envelope and a range of 160 km equivalent to AIM-120D. Towards this, propulsion systems under consideration includes liquid-fuel ramjet, solid-fuel ramjet and a larger dual pulse solid motor. The Astra Mark 3 with solid fuel ducted ramjet is planned to have a range in excess of 200km.
Domination of Skies in the 2020s
Interesting trends emerge after reviewing the AAM development philosophies across the world:
- There is a clear race to dominate & engage the adversary at the longest possible range in the battle space. This involves development of missiles which can reach afar faster and have a large No Escape Zone (NEZ), resulting in a greater kill probability (PK).
- Russia & China have developed large sized AAMs, with oversized rocket motors and large propellent carriage. They have the complimentary fighters for carriage of large stores in greater numbers.
- The Europeans have bet big on the Ramjet route to increase engagement envelope and PK at long ranges. In addition mixed propellents are being experimented with, which provide a bump up in the maximum range.
- Ramjet propulsion is a challenge for most nations due investments in cost and technology. However, Russia and China will achieve parity in this field by early 2020s. This will filter down to all class of AAMs in their inventory, adding increased kill probability at longer ranges within layered Anti Access/ Area Denial (A2/AD) zones.
- The current crop of Chinese and Russian AAMs are a cause for major worry for NATO and especially for the United States, with the PL-15 possibly outranging the AMRAAM.
- The United States fifth generation LO fleet made up of the F-22 and F-35 is overshadowing the development of small form factor missiles, which will be exceed the existing performance capability of the AIM-120D. The number of missiles carried in internal weapons bay, will increase. This will convert into larger engagement cycles per sortie. The Chinese J-20 and the Russian Su-57 are adopting a similar strategy.
- In addition, shorter range, very high PK missiles are concurrently being developed. These will aid in engaging targets at closer ranges, when taking advantage of stealth.
- Miniaturisation of electronics and adoption of lightweight AESA active seekers will be preferred.
- There is enough room for proliferation of WVR missiles, which dominate engagements at shorter ranges with effective IIR technologies.
- Rapid stride of an order of magnitude in ECM and ECCM techniques will take place, especially within the NEZ.
- Engagement of stand-off assets like AWACS, AAR etc will be possible at VLR of 300+ km.
- The longer reach of AAMs will force the contemporary attack platforms to invest in air to surface payloads (ASM), which will now need to be launched even further away from the target zone.
- An air force equipped with medium range AAMs and low NEZ, will be at a disadvantage in offensive/ defensive missions in any future air war. The combination of low signature fighters, mated to high kill probability AAMs will be a normal in 2030s.
- Loyal wingman platforms (highly intelligent UCAVs) and optionally manned fighters, as well as their teaming with manned assets is being tested worldwide. Their employment will spur the next iteration of the Air-to-Air missile development cold war in the years ahead.
East vs West: Are the Chinese Air-to-Air missiles worth the hype?
So how good the Chinese air-to-air missiles really are? While little open source details are available about the flight testing aspects and operational use of Chinese AAMs, experts believe that it would be premature to dismiss indicative capabilities in light of the achievements in the field of science and technology by China in the last few decades.
Here the PL-15 AAM development has been a gamechanger, which leapfrogs the Chinese ability to engage in offensive operations in a contested environment. Whereas the Chinese air-to-air missile capability may not be at par with sophisticated western missiles like the MBDA Meteor, there is more than enough technological evidence that China, along with Russia, is fast closing the AAM capability gap with the west, with the western nations no longer in a position to take air dominance missions for granted.
(The Author has referred extensively to, and would like to acknowledge the superb source material and work done on the subject by Andreas Rupprecht, Warzone, Janes Defence Weekly, Airpower Australia and Tony Osborne in the Aviation Week)
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The author is a former fighter pilot with extensive experience on the Mirage 2000 and MiG 21 aircraft of the IAF. He has seen combat in the 1999 Indo Pak Kargil conflict. He writes on military subjects and his article on the Air War in Syria, won the best military aviation submission at the 2017 Paris Airshow.