Missile PL-17 (CH-AA-12 Auger)

The PL-17 is a long-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The weapon was observed undergoing testing on a fighter jet in 2016 and represents a separate development program from other systems like the ramjet-powered PL-21. By October 2022, official Chinese media outlets reported that the missile had formally entered military service.

As an active radar-guided, beyond-visual-range missile, the PL-17 is engineered to neutralize high-value airborne assets such as aerial tankers and early warning and control aircraft. Its extended range is achieved through a dual-pulse rocket motor and a lofted flight trajectory, with a reported top speed exceeding Mach 4. For guidance, the missile utilizes inertial navigation, satellite updates, and a datalink during its mid-course phase. In the terminal stage, it employs a sophisticated multimode seeker combining an active AESA radar with passive sensors and infrared homing for autonomous targeting. Maneuverability is enhanced by control fins and thrust-vectoring engines, complementing its low-drag aerodynamic profile.

The missile has been deployed with the PLAAF and is integrated onto several aircraft platforms. The Shenyang J-16 fighter was used during its testing phase, and the weapon can also be carried by China's Su-30MKK and Su-35 fleets. At approximately six meters in length, the PL-17 is substantially larger than many contemporary air-to-air missiles, a physical characteristic that prevents it from being carried in the internal weapons bay of the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter.