The People's Liberation Army Air Force is reportedly working on a new missile system which many military experts predict could turn the favor into the Chinese side in terms of air superiority. Dubbed simply as the PL-XX, it is rumored to be a very-long-range missile system which can intercept enemy aircraft even beyond the normal scope of an air battle.
In a report from Popular Mechanics, the PL-XX is designed to take down enemy planes, reconnaissance planes, and other support planes. Military experts believe that once these aircraft are taken down, it will significantly hamper the aerial capabilities of the United States air force essentially shifting air superiority into China's favor.
The PL-XX missile system was first spotted in 2016 when it was presented during the Zhuhai Air Show. The PL-XX bears the ubiquitous "PL" designation which is common to almost all Chinese air-to-air missile system.
Based on several reports, the PL-XX measures 18 feet long. The missile is believed to be capable of reaching ranges of more than 100 miles, which is also the typical maximum range of most air-to-air missiles.
The PL-XX missile system is closely similar to a system designed and developed for the Russian military by Novator. Dubbed as the Soviet K-100 missile system, it is packed with top of the line and unique technologies.
The Soviet K-100 is considered unique because it is a two-stage missile. It uses a ground-based S-300 surface-to-air missile to propel it into the sky. The S-300 also adds a significant amount of range to the missile.
Just like the PL-XX, the Soviet K-100 is long, measuring in at 19.7 feet. The 2-ton weight of the missile also speaks for just how much damage it could bring to any unfortunate aircraft it will encounter. The K-100 is capable of engaging enemy aircraft flying from 10 to 98, 425 feet. The missile has an impressive speed of 2,485 miles per hour.
The United States military is well aware of the capabilities of both the Chinese PL-XX and Russian K-100 missile systems. As such, the country is developing new support aircraft that can outmaneuver these two high-end and very powerful missiles. The United States Air Force is also reportedly working on new defensive systems on its aircraft including the latest. Additionally, the US Air Force is also on the developmental stage on a new stealth fighter known only as the KC-Z.
