Aerospace Comparison: AIM-174B vs. the PL-17
The latest editions of Beyond-Visual-Range missiles from The United States and China are compared, with analysis possibly showing the AIM-174B is the longest ranged air-to-air missile in the world.
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Overview:
The U.S. Navy’s AIM-174 and China’s PL-17 are the latest editions of long-range missiles with impressive capabilities that could tip the balance in future engagements in the South China Sea.
The AIM-174, an air-launched variant of the SM-6 Standard Missile, is designed to extend the operational reach of U.S. carrier-based aircraft, offering unparalleled versatility with its dual-purpose capability. On the other side, the PL-17, a long-range missile developed by China, focuses on neutralizing high-value targets at extended ranges, potentially altering the strategic landscape in key regions like the Taiwan Strait.
This analysis will focus on a detailed comparison of the AIM-174 and PL-17, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses, and explore how these advanced systems could influence the future of air combat. Whether it's the AIM-174's ability to attack multiple classes of targets, or the PL-17's specialization in disrupting enemy operations, these missiles represent the cutting edge of military technology in an increasingly contested global airspace.
PL-17
The PL-17 missile is a long-range air-to-air missile developed by China, designed to significantly enhance its Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements with its aircraft when facing off against near-peer and peer-level adversaries.
Key Features and Abilities:
Extended Range:
With an estimated range of around 300 to 400 kilometers, the PL-17 is one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles in existence. This allows it to engage targets far beyond visual range, and is crucial for striking high-value assets vital for sustaining air superiority during prolonged air operations.
Targeting High-Value Assets:
The missile appears specifically designed to neutralize critical support aircraft, like AWACS and aerial tankers, which are essential for coordinating air operations and extending the operational range of fighter jets. . Knowing the current range limitations of adversary aircraft, the PL-17 is the specific arrow designed to attack vulnerable parts of the kill web of adversaries: Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWAC), and Fuel Tanker aircraft. By forcing these assets to operate further from the battle zone, the PL-17 could limit the effectiveness of an adversary's air power.
Integration with Modern Fighters:
The missile has been integrated into platforms such as the J-16 fighter jet, a multirole aircraft used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This combination enhances the operational flexibility of the PLAAF, enabling it to perform a wide range of missions with extended strike capabilities. The PL-17 allows for the J-16 to help in engaging targets at ranges that cannot be countered easily by current adversaries.
Image of J-16 carrying PL-17 missiles on wings. PL-15 missiles are present on the centerline of the aircraft for comparison.
Strategic Impact:
The introduction of the PL-17 represents a significant shift in regional power dynamics, particularly in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas. The missile's ability to challenge U.S. and allied air superiority could alter the strategic calculus in any potential conflict, making it a pivotal asset in China's military strategy.
Technological Advancements:
The PL-17 is part of a broader effort by China to match or surpass the capabilities of Western air-to-air missiles and currently offers China a formidable tool for BVR engagements, potentially giving it an edge in certain scenarios.
These features make the PL-17 a significant addition to China's military arsenal, enhancing its ability to conduct long-range, precision strikes against critical air assets, thereby strengthening its position in an aerial conflict. However, the U.S. has taken notice of the PL-17 and its capabilities, and in turn, has recently unveiled its own missile in response to the PL-17, re-leveling the playing field once again: The AIM-174B.
AIM-174B
The AIM-174 missile is a cutting-edge air-to-air weapon recently introduced by the U.S. Navy, designed to extend the reach and effectiveness of carrier-based aircraft, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Features and Abilities:
Extended Range:
The AIM-174 boasts an impressive potential operational range that is a significant upgrade over existing missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM, allowing U.S. aircraft to strike targets from much greater distances. A recent open-source analysis from Millenium 7*, based on the assumption that the quality of rocket motors is consistent across nations and is relates the diameter of missile bodies to their ranges, estimated that the AIM-174B has a range of over 600 km, or 372 miles. This far outranges the estimated range of the PL-17, which the same analysis estimated to be at 400km or 248 miles:
Image from Youtube Video estimating the Range of the AIM-174B at 620 km, or 384 miles, versus 400 km, or 248 miles for the Pl-17 (Youtube)
AIM-174B = Air-Launched Configuration of SM-6:
The AIM-174 is essentially an air-launched variant of the SM-6 Standard Missile, originally designed for naval surface-to-air engagements. This adaptation allows it to be deployed from aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and potentially the F-35, bringing the missile’s advanced capabilities into the aerial domain.
Multi-Purpose Capability:
Besides its primary role as an air-to-air missile, the AIM-174 can also be used against surface targets such as ships and even land targets. This multi-purpose capability enhances the flexibility of U.S. naval aviation, enabling aircraft to engage both airborne and surface threats with a single type of missile, and giving the AIM-174 a much greater potential set of targets vs. the PL-17.
Integration with Advanced Systems:
The AIM-174B’s heritage being that of the SM-6, indicates that it is integrated into the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) system, a networked capability enabling it to receive targeting data from various platforms, such as AEGIS-equipped ships and advanced aircraft like the E-2D Hawkeye, allowing it to engage targets beyond the radar horizon of the launch platform. An example scenario of this in operation could employ F-35's operating ahead of an F/A-18 Super Hornet outfitted with the AIM-174B. The F-35s, undetected by adversaries would provide targeting data downfield to the F/A-18s, who can then launch their AIM-174Bs while staying out of range of retaliation by any adveraries.
Operational Deployment:
The AIM-174 has already been operationally deployed, signaling its readiness to be used in conflict scenarios. Its deployment is particularly relevant in the context of rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where long-range air-to-air engagement capabilities are increasingly critical.
Strategic Impact:
The introduction of the AIM-174 is seen as a significant enhancement to the U.S. Navy's power projection capabilities, especially in regions like the Indo-Pacific. Its ability to strike targets from long distances, combined with its multi-purpose nature and advanced integration with networked systems, makes it a significant tool for maintaining air superiority and deterring potential adversaries, and levels the playing field again between the U.S. and China in the long-range missile contest.
PL-17 vs. AIM-174
Comparison of the PL-17 and AIM-174B Missiles
Comparing the PL-17 and AIM-174B missiles, we'll look at their ranges, targeting capabilities, the platforms they are integrated into, and their technological and strategic implications.
1. Range:
PL-17: The PL-17 has an estimated range of 300 to 400 kilometers (186 to 248 miles), making it one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles in existence. This extended range allows it to engage high-value targets, such as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and aerial refueling tankers, from significant distances.
AIM-174: The AIM-174 missile has a range of over 200 miles (approximately 322 kilometers) based on estimations of open-source information about its older SM-6 sibling. However, if the high-level analysis from Youtube is correct, the AIM-174B is the longest-range air-to-air missile not just in the U.S. arsenal, but in the entire world.
2. Targeting Capabilities:
PL-17: The PL-17 appears specifically designed to neutralize high-value support aircraft, and therefore seems optimized for disabling the critical enablers of an enemy’s air power, like AWACS and tankers. By doing so, it aims to degrade the enemy's ability to maintain air superiority and sustain extended air operations. It’s fair to assume then that its sensors are specifically designed for air-targets.
AIM-174: The AIM-174, while also capable of targeting a wide range of airborne threats, has been openly noted for its multi-purpose capability. It can engage both air and surface targets, adding versatility to its operational use. This capability allows it to be effective against a broader spectrum of threats beyond just airborne platforms and adds a difficulty calculus in defending against the missile, as a launch could be aimed not just at aerial targets, but at surface targets in the vicinity as well.
3. Platform Integration:
PL-17: Integrated into Chinese fighter platforms such as the J-16, the PL-17 is part of China's strategy to enhance its air combat capabilities. The missile is designed to be used by multiple types of aircraft, enhancing operational flexibility. It is unknown if the missile has networked capability.
AIM-174: The AIM-174 is currently deployed on U.S. Navy aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and may potentially see use on the F-35. Its integration into the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) system enables it to receive targeting data from various sources, making it highly adaptable in networked warfare scenarios.
4. Technological Advancements:
PL-17: The development of the PL-17 reflects China’s broader effort to match or surpass Western air-to-air missile technology, particularly in terms of range and targeting capabilities. It represents a significant advancement in China’s air-to-air missile arsenal, potentially giving it a significant tool in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements.
AIM-174: The AIM-174 is a technological evolution of the SM-6 Standard Missile, repurposed for air-to-air engagements. Its integration into advanced U.S. systems, such as the NIFC-CA, reflects a focus on networked warfare, where missiles can be guided by data from multiple platforms. Estimated ranges of 620 km give the U.S. a technological edge in beyond–visual-range (BVR) engagements.
5. Strategic Impact:
PL-17: The introduction of the PL-17 would give China the ability to challenge U.S. and allied air superiority by targeting critical support aircraft may alter strategic calculations in any potential conflict.
AIM-174: The AIM-174 enhances the U.S. Navy’s power projection capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Its unmatched range and dual-purpose capabilities make it a formidable tool for maintaining air superiority and deterring potential adversaries in a region where long-range engagements are increasingly important.
Summary of Advantages and Disadvantages:
PL-17 Advantages:
Specialized in targeting high-value support aircraft, potentially disrupting enemy operations.
PL-17 Disadvantages:
Primarily focused on air-to-air engagements, lacking the dual-purpose flexibility of AIM-174.
AIM-174 Advantages:
Longest ranged missile in the world.
Dual-purpose capability allows it to engage both air and surface targets.
Integrated into a broader networked system, enhancing operational flexibility.
AIM-174 Disadvantages:
Potentially lower top speed in comparison to the PL-17.
Focused on versatility rather than specialization, which may limit its effectiveness in specific scenarios compared to the PL-17.
Both missiles represent the cutting edge of their respective nations’ air combat capabilities, with each offering unique advantages tailored to their strategic environments.
References:
China's next-gen air missile could decide a Taiwan war - Asia Times
China Is Showing Off Its Oversized Air-to-Air Missile (popularmechanics.com)
Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen On Chinese J-16 Fighters (twz.com)
U.S. Navy Confirms SM-6 Air Launched Configuration is 'Operationally Deployed' (navalnews.com)
The US Navy's insane new air-to-air missile: The AIM-174 | Sandboxx