據美國《大眾科學》月刊網站報道稱，9月15日，中國成功試射了其最新空空導彈霹靂-15（PL-15），摧毀了一架目標無人機。

PL-15將替代中國目前的超視距空空導彈——雷達制導的PL-12。相比於PL-12，PL-15的雷達主動探測距離增大，具備抗幹擾數據鏈，同時還有一個雙脈沖固體火箭發動機來擴大其射程。

在中國試射這種導彈的同一周，美國太平洋空軍司令部司令霍克·卡萊爾在2015年空軍協會會議上發表講話時，援引PL-15作為美國國會為一種用來取代美國超視距空空導彈的新導彈撥款的理由。他表示關切的理由是PL-15的射程。通過加入一個沖壓式引擎，其射程可高達150-200km。這將超出現有的美國空空導彈的射程，使得PL-15不僅對像F-35這樣的戰機構成威脅，也對轟炸機和空中加油機構成威脅。而在美國在浩瀚的太平洋上空采取行動時，這些飛機至關重要。卡萊爾表示，壓制住PL-15是美國空軍高度重視的問題。


http://www.popsci.com/chinese-air-t...ks-usaf-general

CHINESE AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE HITS TARGETS, SPOOKS USAF GENERAL

PL-15 IS CHINA'S BEST AND BADDEST AERIAL WEAPON YET

Beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) are long-range missiles used by fighters to knock out enemy fighters, bombers, tankers, drones and other aircraft from ranges beyond 30km. On September 15, 2015, China successfully test fired its latest iteration, the PL-15, firing from a fighter to destroy a target drone.


PL-15 Different Angles
These set of photos from 2013 show the PL-15 during captive flight testing (carried by fighters like this J-11B). The PL-15 is shown to be about four meters long and 200mm in diameter, about the same size as the older PL-12 BVRAAM. The PL-15 uses improved propulsion, such as advanced rocket motors and possibly ramjet engines, to achieve a greater range.



The PL-15 is developed by the 607 Institute. It is the replacement for China's current BVRAAM, the radar guided, PL-12, which reportedly has a range of approximately 100km. Compared to the PL-12, the PL-15 has an improved active radar seeker and jam-resistant datalinks, along with a dual pulse rocket motor to extend its range.


The Flanker's New Missile
The J-11B Flanker, a Chinese modification of the Russian Su-27 heavy fighter, is shown here with a PL-15 on a payload pylon under the left wing. While the J-11B's radar may not have the range to use the PL-15 to its maximum range, it can receive the location of distant enemy fighters from a KJ-2000 airborne early warning control (AEWC) aircraft, fire the PL-15 and let the PL-15's advanced radar guide the missile, with course corrections from the KJ-2000 AEWC, all without turning on the J-11B's radar (and giving away its position).



Even in the prototype stage, the PL-15 is already an international star. Speaking at the 2015 Air Force Association conference the same week as the test, USAF Air Combatant Commander General Hawk Carlisle cited the PL-15 as the reason for Congress to fund a new missile to replace the American AMRAAM. His reasons for concern is the PL-15's range. By incorporating a ramjet engine, its range could reach 150-200km, was well as its terminal maneuverability. That would out-range existing American air-to-air missiles, making the PL-15 not just a threat to fighters like the F-35, but also to US bombers and aerial tankers critical to American air operations across the vast Pacific. General Carlisle called "out-sticking" the PL-15 a high priority for the USAF.

As the PL-15 moves to deployment stage, it will equip Chinese stealth fighter jets, such as the J-20 and J-31, as well as the older J-10, J-11, J-15 and J-16 fighters. This makes keeping up with the PL-15 an important part of American efforts to out-do an innovative and improving Chinese military system.