Analysis: Leaked picture suggests China’s secret PL-16 air-to-air missile may now equip J-20 and J-35 stealth jets
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According to the X account Little Otter General Soilder on July 27, 2025, a photo taken during a Chinese pilot seminar, showing a side-by-side comparison of the flight envelopes of the PL-15 and PL-16, has been interpreted as credible evidence of the missile’s existence and readiness for service. Although there has been no official confirmation from Chinese authorities, the context of the seminar, combined with the specificity of the diagrams and commentary, could be seen as the most substantial indication to date that the PL-16 air-to-air missile may have entered at least limited operational use.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The J-35’s introduction into service alongside the J-20 places China as the second nation after the United States to field two classes of operational stealth fighters. (Picture source: SDF/By78)
The pictures reportedly taken during the seminar provide a rare glimpse into Chinese missile tactics and future air combat doctrines, particularly those emphasizing stealth integration and networked air superiority. The slide shows diagrams illustrating various phases of aerial engagement, such as detection, lock-on, long-range strike, close-range maneuvering, and final kill assessment, alongside concepts like A-Pole and F-Pole geometry, which define key BVR missile combat parameters. Notably, the presence of radar cross-section polar charts and references to stealth-preserving maneuvers under G-load stress indicate an operational emphasis on low-observable performance. The briefing also references multi-role and wide-area engagement coordination, pointing to the missile’s suitability for stealth fighters executing long-range interdiction and defensive sweep missions in contested airspace. The implication that the missile’s dimensions and flight characteristics allow integration with next-generation fighters such as the J-35, in addition to the J-20, further suggests that the PL-16 could play a central role in China’s efforts to modernize its tactical airpower and doctrine for naval and joint operations.
According to Little Otter General Soilder’s commentary, the PL-16 is more compact than the PL-15 but is capable of achieving a longer range, marking it as a next-generation development within China’s expanding family of beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile systems. The PL-16’s development appears to have followed from the service experience and internal limitations of the PL-15, which has served as China’s long-range BVR missile standard since at least 2016. While the PL-15 introduced a dual-pulse motor and AESA radar seeker, its mid-body wings and overall dimensions limited the number that could be carried internally by stealth aircraft, which are constrained by volume and bay geometry. The PL-16 is therefore believed to have emerged in the late 2010s or early 2020s as a response to those limitations, focusing on a compressed carriage profile to allow increased loadout in internal bays. Although some early sightings may have conflated the missile with a folding-fin variant of the PL-15E, particularly during the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, the increasing appearance of the PL-16 designation in doctrinal materials and expert commentary suggests that it constitutes a separate development path. While not yet confirmed through official Chinese sources, the PL-16 is believed to exist in at least two subvariants, PL-16A and PL-16B, although no authoritative data distinguishes these versions or their respective capabilities.
The PL-16 is widely interpreted as a long-range missile designed to improve upon the performance of the PL-15 while reducing its spatial footprint, making it compatible with the internal weapons bays of stealth aircraft like the J-20 and future carrier-based J-35. Structurally, the PL-16 is believed to abandon the PL-15’s mid-body aerodynamic surfaces in favor of folding or retractable tail control fins. This shift allows tighter packing, enabling up to six PL-16 missiles to be stored in the space previously occupied by four PL-15s. Such a configuration reflects a doctrinal emphasis on volume firepower, saturation attacks, and multi-shot engagement capability, all while maintaining the low radar cross-section required for stealth platforms. The PL-16 is frequently described as a missile that combines the size and proportions of the PL-15 with the design philosophy of the much larger PL-17, scaled down to operate in constrained stealth environments. This design goal indicates a broader evolution in China’s air-to-air missile architecture, in which weapons are tailored to specific fighter platforms and operational doctrines.
Dimensions for the PL-16 remain speculative due to the absence of publicly disclosed specifications, but the missile is generally estimated to be similar in length or slightly shorter than the PL-15, which measures 3.996 meters. The diameter likely falls within the 180 to 203 mm range, and overall weight is expected to be close to the PL-15’s 210 kilograms. The fin span when deployed is unknown, but the use of folding surfaces implies a design optimized for minimal storage volume and aerodynamic deployment during launch. The PL-16’s configuration appears to omit mid-body wings and instead relies on reduced-drag shaping, stabilizing strakes, and a refined control surface layout. This compressed airframe design would facilitate its use in confined internal bays and allow the missile to be launched with minimal radar exposure, an important requirement for stealth operations. While precise aerodynamic features remain unseen, some visual comparisons suggest that the PL-16’s outline shares characteristics with the PL-17, though optimized for high-density storage rather than extreme range.
The estimated range of the PL-16 remains unconfirmed, but multiple sources suggest that it exceeds the PL-15’s known domestic range of approximately 200 kilometers, and possibly surpasses the upper limit of 250 kilometers under ideal flight conditions. By comparison, the PL-15E export version is limited to 145 kilometers. Observers estimate that the PL-16 may achieve a maximum range between 220 and 300 kilometers, depending on launch altitude, engagement geometry, and propulsion design. The increase in range despite a smaller form factor suggests that advances have been made in propellant chemistry, internal volume utilization, or flight efficiency, possibly through lofted trajectories and improved mid-course energy management. Some sources argue that in the most favorable scenarios, such as a high-altitude supersonic launch, the PL-16 could rival the Russian R-37M in maximum range. However, such assessments remain speculative until verified by open-source tracking data, flight tests, or export brochures with confirmed technical sheets.
The propulsion system used by the PL-16 is widely assumed to be a dual-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor, similar to that of the PL-15. This type of propulsion provides two separate thrust phases: one during initial launch and a second during the terminal phase, thereby extending range and maintaining high energy for maneuvering during the final engagement. This system avoids the complexity of ramjet propulsion, such as that used on the European Meteor, while still offering good trade-offs in range and responsiveness. Dual-pulse motors are particularly well-suited to the compact and sealed design of internally stored missiles, as they simplify logistical handling and reduce system weight. While earlier Chinese research included the ramjet-powered PL-21, that project appears to have been discontinued, with the PL-16 instead reflecting an evolution of the more mature dual-pulse approach. The propulsion system likely includes an upgraded nozzle and exhaust control for improved trajectory shaping and energy preservation across a variety of engagement envelopes.
The leaked slide describes A-pole and F-pole missile geometry, indicating the PL-16’s relevance in beyond-visual-range scenarios requiring early missile activation and extended engagement ranges, two requirements associated with stealth fighter jets. (Picture source: X/Little Otter General Soilder)
Regarding its guidance system, the PL-16 is believed to feature an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker, likely operating in the Ku-band, similar to the seeker used on the PL-15. This seeker would allow the missile to track multiple targets with high precision, even in cluttered or jammed environments. Some sources speculate that the PL-16 might include a dual-mode seeker combining AESA radar with imaging infrared (IIR) guidance, though this remains unconfirmed. If such a seeker is present, it would improve terminal targeting in situations where radar cross-section suppression or jamming prevents active radar lock. The missile is also assumed to be equipped with a two-way datalink for mid-course corrections, allowing updates from the launching platform or airborne command assets. Additional systems likely include inertial navigation, satellite correction via the Beidou constellation, and onboard processing units for digital counter-countermeasures. Together, these systems would place the PL-16 among the most electronically sophisticated air-to-air missiles in the world, although concrete data about resolution, off-boresight angles, and homing logic remain unavailable.
In terms of combat performance, the PL-16 has not yet been documented in operational engagements, and no export activity has been reported. This suggests that the missile is intended for exclusive use by China’s stealth platforms, especially the J-20 and the upcoming carrier-based J-35. Its compressed profile and stealth-friendly design allow for full internal carriage, making it suitable for first-launch scenarios in contested airspace. Theoretical assessments suggest the missile may have a no-escape zone ranging from 60 to 90 kilometers, depending on target maneuverability and electronic countermeasures. It is believed to be capable of lock-on after launch (LOAL), allowing for engagements at high off-boresight angles even without direct seeker acquisition at launch. These characteristics make the PL-16 an ideal tool for layered saturation strikes, where multiple missiles are launched against a formation of enemy aircraft with different trajectories and seekers to overwhelm defenses.
When compared to the PL-15, the PL-16 offers several potential advantages. Most notably, it can be carried in greater numbers inside stealth fighters, increasing mission firepower without the need for external pylons, which would compromise radar stealth. While retaining the dual-pulse motor and AESA radar seeker of the PL-15, the PL-16’s smaller size and probable inclusion of a dual-mode seeker would expand its effectiveness against stealth or electronically protected targets. Its maneuverability, datalink support, and stealth-compatible shaping also represent improvements over the PL-15, which, while still modern, was optimized for a different generation of air combat requirements. These changes suggest a shift in Chinese doctrine toward internal saturation capability and precision kill chains for next-generation fighter formations operating under strict radar exposure constraints.
Relative to the PL-10, the PL-16 serves a distinct and complementary purpose. The PL-10 is a short-range missile optimized for dogfighting and high-agility engagements, equipped with thrust-vectoring and helmet-mounted cueing. In contrast, the PL-16 operates in the BVR space, focusing on long-range interception and electronic warfare resistance. The two missiles are expected to be carried together in mixed loadouts, with the PL-10 offering self-defense and within-visual-range options, and the PL-16 enabling pre-emptive or networked strikes at standoff distances. Their roles are not competitive but synergistic, forming the foundation of China’s multi-tiered air-to-air missile doctrine.
The PL-16 is often compared with the U.S. AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which is designed as a successor to the AIM-120D. Both missiles are believed to be similar in size, allowing greater internal carriage in stealth fighters, and both are reported to feature dual-mode seekers, dual-pulse motors, and extensive datalink and ECCM capabilities. The AIM-260 has not had its specifications publicly confirmed, but it is expected to exceed the AIM-120D’s range and incorporate enhanced resistance to jamming. The PL-16, with a possible maximum range of up to 300 kilometers and internal bay compatibility, may match or slightly exceed the AIM-260 in terms of raw kinematics. However, the AIM-260 is supported by the U.S. military’s integrated C4ISR and sensor fusion architecture, which may give it an edge in networked engagements. Conversely, the PL-16’s compact design and potential carriage of six missiles per stealth aircraft provide China with a powerful internal salvo capability, offering a different but equally impactful approach to air dominance.
The PL-16 enables the Chinese Air Force to increase the number of long-range air-to-air missiles carried internally by stealth fighters without modifying their external profiles, directly addressing previous carriage limitations associated with the PL-15. By allowing up to six missiles to be stored in the internal bays of platforms like the J-20 and J-35, the PL-16 could enhance sortie efficiency and engagement density, supporting simultaneous or sequential targeting of multiple aircraft at extended distances. This expanded loadout capacity improves saturation potential in offensive and defensive scenarios, particularly in contested airspace where radar visibility must be minimized. The missile’s design contributes to the development of massed, internally carried BVR salvos, reducing the need for external pylons and preserving low observability throughout the mission. Within the broader missile structure, the PL-16 occupies an intermediate role between the PL-15, which it is expected to replace in stealth loadouts, and the much larger PL-17, which is limited to external carriage. Its integration will allow the Chinese Air Force to implement multi-vector engagement strategies using internally carried long-range weapons with extended persistence and higher shot volume per sortie, reinforcing China’s layered missile strategy across different ranges and target types.
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According to the X account Little Otter General Soilder on July 27, 2025, a photo taken during a Chinese pilot seminar, showing a side-by-side comparison of the flight envelopes of the PL-15 and PL-16, has been interpreted as credible evidence of the missile’s existence and readiness for service. Although there has been no official confirmation from Chinese authorities, the context of the seminar, combined with the specificity of the diagrams and commentary, could be seen as the most substantial indication to date that the PL-16 air-to-air missile may have entered at least limited operational use.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The J-35’s introduction into service alongside the J-20 places China as the second nation after the United States to field two classes of operational stealth fighters. (Picture source: SDF/By78)
The pictures reportedly taken during the seminar provide a rare glimpse into Chinese missile tactics and future air combat doctrines, particularly those emphasizing stealth integration and networked air superiority. The slide shows diagrams illustrating various phases of aerial engagement, such as detection, lock-on, long-range strike, close-range maneuvering, and final kill assessment, alongside concepts like A-Pole and F-Pole geometry, which define key BVR missile combat parameters. Notably, the presence of radar cross-section polar charts and references to stealth-preserving maneuvers under G-load stress indicate an operational emphasis on low-observable performance. The briefing also references multi-role and wide-area engagement coordination, pointing to the missile’s suitability for stealth fighters executing long-range interdiction and defensive sweep missions in contested airspace. The implication that the missile’s dimensions and flight characteristics allow integration with next-generation fighters such as the J-35, in addition to the J-20, further suggests that the PL-16 could play a central role in China’s efforts to modernize its tactical airpower and doctrine for naval and joint operations.
According to Little Otter General Soilder’s commentary, the PL-16 is more compact than the PL-15 but is capable of achieving a longer range, marking it as a next-generation development within China’s expanding family of beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile systems. The PL-16’s development appears to have followed from the service experience and internal limitations of the PL-15, which has served as China’s long-range BVR missile standard since at least 2016. While the PL-15 introduced a dual-pulse motor and AESA radar seeker, its mid-body wings and overall dimensions limited the number that could be carried internally by stealth aircraft, which are constrained by volume and bay geometry. The PL-16 is therefore believed to have emerged in the late 2010s or early 2020s as a response to those limitations, focusing on a compressed carriage profile to allow increased loadout in internal bays. Although some early sightings may have conflated the missile with a folding-fin variant of the PL-15E, particularly during the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, the increasing appearance of the PL-16 designation in doctrinal materials and expert commentary suggests that it constitutes a separate development path. While not yet confirmed through official Chinese sources, the PL-16 is believed to exist in at least two subvariants, PL-16A and PL-16B, although no authoritative data distinguishes these versions or their respective capabilities.
The PL-16 is widely interpreted as a long-range missile designed to improve upon the performance of the PL-15 while reducing its spatial footprint, making it compatible with the internal weapons bays of stealth aircraft like the J-20 and future carrier-based J-35. Structurally, the PL-16 is believed to abandon the PL-15’s mid-body aerodynamic surfaces in favor of folding or retractable tail control fins. This shift allows tighter packing, enabling up to six PL-16 missiles to be stored in the space previously occupied by four PL-15s. Such a configuration reflects a doctrinal emphasis on volume firepower, saturation attacks, and multi-shot engagement capability, all while maintaining the low radar cross-section required for stealth platforms. The PL-16 is frequently described as a missile that combines the size and proportions of the PL-15 with the design philosophy of the much larger PL-17, scaled down to operate in constrained stealth environments. This design goal indicates a broader evolution in China’s air-to-air missile architecture, in which weapons are tailored to specific fighter platforms and operational doctrines.
Dimensions for the PL-16 remain speculative due to the absence of publicly disclosed specifications, but the missile is generally estimated to be similar in length or slightly shorter than the PL-15, which measures 3.996 meters. The diameter likely falls within the 180 to 203 mm range, and overall weight is expected to be close to the PL-15’s 210 kilograms. The fin span when deployed is unknown, but the use of folding surfaces implies a design optimized for minimal storage volume and aerodynamic deployment during launch. The PL-16’s configuration appears to omit mid-body wings and instead relies on reduced-drag shaping, stabilizing strakes, and a refined control surface layout. This compressed airframe design would facilitate its use in confined internal bays and allow the missile to be launched with minimal radar exposure, an important requirement for stealth operations. While precise aerodynamic features remain unseen, some visual comparisons suggest that the PL-16’s outline shares characteristics with the PL-17, though optimized for high-density storage rather than extreme range.
The estimated range of the PL-16 remains unconfirmed, but multiple sources suggest that it exceeds the PL-15’s known domestic range of approximately 200 kilometers, and possibly surpasses the upper limit of 250 kilometers under ideal flight conditions. By comparison, the PL-15E export version is limited to 145 kilometers. Observers estimate that the PL-16 may achieve a maximum range between 220 and 300 kilometers, depending on launch altitude, engagement geometry, and propulsion design. The increase in range despite a smaller form factor suggests that advances have been made in propellant chemistry, internal volume utilization, or flight efficiency, possibly through lofted trajectories and improved mid-course energy management. Some sources argue that in the most favorable scenarios, such as a high-altitude supersonic launch, the PL-16 could rival the Russian R-37M in maximum range. However, such assessments remain speculative until verified by open-source tracking data, flight tests, or export brochures with confirmed technical sheets.
The propulsion system used by the PL-16 is widely assumed to be a dual-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor, similar to that of the PL-15. This type of propulsion provides two separate thrust phases: one during initial launch and a second during the terminal phase, thereby extending range and maintaining high energy for maneuvering during the final engagement. This system avoids the complexity of ramjet propulsion, such as that used on the European Meteor, while still offering good trade-offs in range and responsiveness. Dual-pulse motors are particularly well-suited to the compact and sealed design of internally stored missiles, as they simplify logistical handling and reduce system weight. While earlier Chinese research included the ramjet-powered PL-21, that project appears to have been discontinued, with the PL-16 instead reflecting an evolution of the more mature dual-pulse approach. The propulsion system likely includes an upgraded nozzle and exhaust control for improved trajectory shaping and energy preservation across a variety of engagement envelopes.
The leaked slide describes A-pole and F-pole missile geometry, indicating the PL-16’s relevance in beyond-visual-range scenarios requiring early missile activation and extended engagement ranges, two requirements associated with stealth fighter jets. (Picture source: X/Little Otter General Soilder)
Regarding its guidance system, the PL-16 is believed to feature an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar seeker, likely operating in the Ku-band, similar to the seeker used on the PL-15. This seeker would allow the missile to track multiple targets with high precision, even in cluttered or jammed environments. Some sources speculate that the PL-16 might include a dual-mode seeker combining AESA radar with imaging infrared (IIR) guidance, though this remains unconfirmed. If such a seeker is present, it would improve terminal targeting in situations where radar cross-section suppression or jamming prevents active radar lock. The missile is also assumed to be equipped with a two-way datalink for mid-course corrections, allowing updates from the launching platform or airborne command assets. Additional systems likely include inertial navigation, satellite correction via the Beidou constellation, and onboard processing units for digital counter-countermeasures. Together, these systems would place the PL-16 among the most electronically sophisticated air-to-air missiles in the world, although concrete data about resolution, off-boresight angles, and homing logic remain unavailable.
In terms of combat performance, the PL-16 has not yet been documented in operational engagements, and no export activity has been reported. This suggests that the missile is intended for exclusive use by China’s stealth platforms, especially the J-20 and the upcoming carrier-based J-35. Its compressed profile and stealth-friendly design allow for full internal carriage, making it suitable for first-launch scenarios in contested airspace. Theoretical assessments suggest the missile may have a no-escape zone ranging from 60 to 90 kilometers, depending on target maneuverability and electronic countermeasures. It is believed to be capable of lock-on after launch (LOAL), allowing for engagements at high off-boresight angles even without direct seeker acquisition at launch. These characteristics make the PL-16 an ideal tool for layered saturation strikes, where multiple missiles are launched against a formation of enemy aircraft with different trajectories and seekers to overwhelm defenses.
When compared to the PL-15, the PL-16 offers several potential advantages. Most notably, it can be carried in greater numbers inside stealth fighters, increasing mission firepower without the need for external pylons, which would compromise radar stealth. While retaining the dual-pulse motor and AESA radar seeker of the PL-15, the PL-16’s smaller size and probable inclusion of a dual-mode seeker would expand its effectiveness against stealth or electronically protected targets. Its maneuverability, datalink support, and stealth-compatible shaping also represent improvements over the PL-15, which, while still modern, was optimized for a different generation of air combat requirements. These changes suggest a shift in Chinese doctrine toward internal saturation capability and precision kill chains for next-generation fighter formations operating under strict radar exposure constraints.
Relative to the PL-10, the PL-16 serves a distinct and complementary purpose. The PL-10 is a short-range missile optimized for dogfighting and high-agility engagements, equipped with thrust-vectoring and helmet-mounted cueing. In contrast, the PL-16 operates in the BVR space, focusing on long-range interception and electronic warfare resistance. The two missiles are expected to be carried together in mixed loadouts, with the PL-10 offering self-defense and within-visual-range options, and the PL-16 enabling pre-emptive or networked strikes at standoff distances. Their roles are not competitive but synergistic, forming the foundation of China’s multi-tiered air-to-air missile doctrine.
The PL-16 is often compared with the U.S. AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which is designed as a successor to the AIM-120D. Both missiles are believed to be similar in size, allowing greater internal carriage in stealth fighters, and both are reported to feature dual-mode seekers, dual-pulse motors, and extensive datalink and ECCM capabilities. The AIM-260 has not had its specifications publicly confirmed, but it is expected to exceed the AIM-120D’s range and incorporate enhanced resistance to jamming. The PL-16, with a possible maximum range of up to 300 kilometers and internal bay compatibility, may match or slightly exceed the AIM-260 in terms of raw kinematics. However, the AIM-260 is supported by the U.S. military’s integrated C4ISR and sensor fusion architecture, which may give it an edge in networked engagements. Conversely, the PL-16’s compact design and potential carriage of six missiles per stealth aircraft provide China with a powerful internal salvo capability, offering a different but equally impactful approach to air dominance.
The PL-16 enables the Chinese Air Force to increase the number of long-range air-to-air missiles carried internally by stealth fighters without modifying their external profiles, directly addressing previous carriage limitations associated with the PL-15. By allowing up to six missiles to be stored in the internal bays of platforms like the J-20 and J-35, the PL-16 could enhance sortie efficiency and engagement density, supporting simultaneous or sequential targeting of multiple aircraft at extended distances. This expanded loadout capacity improves saturation potential in offensive and defensive scenarios, particularly in contested airspace where radar visibility must be minimized. The missile’s design contributes to the development of massed, internally carried BVR salvos, reducing the need for external pylons and preserving low observability throughout the mission. Within the broader missile structure, the PL-16 occupies an intermediate role between the PL-15, which it is expected to replace in stealth loadouts, and the much larger PL-17, which is limited to external carriage. Its integration will allow the Chinese Air Force to implement multi-vector engagement strategies using internally carried long-range weapons with extended persistence and higher shot volume per sortie, reinforcing China’s layered missile strategy across different ranges and target types.
