The PL-17 (NATO reporting name: CH-AA-12 Auger[1]) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided beyond-visual-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 claimed range more than and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.[2] [3] [4]
The missile was tested on a Shenyang J-16 fighter in 2016,[5] and can also be deployed on Chinese imported Su-30MKK and Su-35 fighters.[6] It's understood that PL-17 is a separate development from the ramjet-powered PL-21 (PL-XX).[7] In October 2022, Chinese state media reported that the PL-17 entered PLAAF service.[8]
PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at long (whereas PL-15, AIM-120 are measured around 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 multimode seeker with both active AESA radar, passive sensors, and IR-homing to track the target autonomously. The missile features a low-drag profile, and maneuverability is provided by four small control fins and thrust-vectoring engines.[9] The missile is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor and flies in lofted launch trajectory to achieve the reported range between by various media, or class by Royal United Services Institute with a top speed in excess of Mach 4.