Chinese AWACS Killer?

[ORAC]

"It was reported that 607 Institute has been developing a new active radar homing extra long-range AAM (dubbed PL-15?) comparable to American AIM-120D and might have evolved from the earlier PL-12C/D design. Initially the missile was speculated to have small stabilizing fins and tailfins. However the latest images (November 2016) indicated that PL-15 has 4 tailfins only and is significantly longer and thicker than PL-12. Its large size suggests the missile may not be carried internally by the 4th generation fighters such as J-20 but is expected to be carried externally by 3.5th generation long-range fighters/interceptors such as J-11D and J-16. PL-15 is believed to feature an advanced guidance system including a two-way datalink and a new active/passive dual mode AESA seeker with enhanced ECCM capability. It may also use an IIR seeker at the terminal stage as indicated by a small optical window in its nose, which further increases its probability of kill against severe jamming. The missile has a new dual pulse rocket motor in favor of a ramjet engine, giving it not only an extra long range (>300km? by using a semi-ballistic trajectory?) but also a relatively small body size. Therefore it could pose a threat to high-value aerial targets deep behind the enemy line such as AWACSes and tankers. It was rumored in September 2015 that a PL-15 was test-fired successfully from a J-16."

http://alert5.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/5f6ff8c9jw1f9zd66gnyrj20xc0q10wq1.jpg

[Just This Once...]

Sooner or later every ISTAR asset that requires line-of-sight with an adversary will need a credible defence. The same could also be said of AAR with their increasing role as a network node.

[monkeytennis]

I would assume that the E-X crews of the world aren't total idiots and when they see a fast jet coming at them loaded for bear they begin to piss off in the other direction and drop low...and when the missile launches, immediately cut all emissions. Not to mention that when an E-2/E-3 is up, they likely have a fighter up as well operating forward of them...

[57mm]

This type of threat has been around for some time; there is a version of Alamo specifically for this purpose.

[Pontius Navigator]

But going dark is a soft kill and a kill is a kill. Once you have gone dark how long do you stay down?

One solution, not jamming, is to launch an AWACS simulator while moving quietly side ways :)

[Wensleydale]

Wasn't SA-5 developed for the same long range purpose?

[Pontius Navigator]

SA 5 was in service well before the E3. It had the advantage of holding an enemy at a distance but its reach was limited compared with a fighter.

[air pig]

PN: did the B52s not have a similar system?

[MAINJAFAD]

Air pig. Yep ADM-20 Quail. B-52 could carry up to 8, but the normal load was 2. Range of around 100NM and could simulate engine heat of a B-52 and drop chaff.