AGM-179 JAGM vs PL-17: Specs Compared

FORCETALLY

Loading the evidence…

Preparing your view.

AMissiles

PL-17

Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (very-long-range)

First system

Second system

Measured figures

Head to head

6 of 17 rows sourced on both sides

1.78m

—

Length

All recorded figures & sources

1.778 m

Length

Single source

70 in (1,778 mm)^[source]

178mm

—

Diameter

Configuration

Details

AGM-179 JAGM and PL-17 configuration
Specification	AGM-179 JAGM	PL-17
Type	Air-to-surface missile^[source]	Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (very-long-range)^[source]
In service	Achieved IOC March 1st 2022 with the U.S. Marine Corps^[source]	2024–present^[source]
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin^[source]	Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology^[source]
Unit cost	US$319,000 (FY 2023)^[source]

No. built	26,319 (planned)^[source]	—

Guidance system	Semi-active laser and millimeter-wave radar^[source]	Active radar homing / infrared homing / passive radiation homing .^[source]

Launch platform	Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft^[source]	Chengdu J-20 Shenyang J-16^[source]

National origin	United States^[source]	—

Place of origin	—	People's Republic of China^[source]

Used by	—	People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force^[source]

Engine	—	Dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket^[source]

Role	—	active radar-guided very-long-range air-to-air missile^[source]

Source measurement	—	The PL-17 ( NATO reporting name : CH-AA-12 Auger ) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided very-long-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 a claimed range of around 400 km (250 mi) and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.^[source]PL-17 · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at 6 m (20 ft) long (whereas PL-15 , AIM-120 are measured around 4 m (13 ft) 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 and satellite navigation to track targets. During the terminal phase, the missile would turn on its multimodal seeker with both active radar and passive sensors. The sensors include, reportedly, a miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for tracking, passive anti-radiation seeker for locating radar-equipped targets, and a possible optical window feautring an additional infrared seeker as supplement.^[source]PL-17 · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The missile body features a low-drag profile, and maneuverability is provided by four small control fins and thrust-vectoring engines. Estimates for its maximum operational range may vary, but the widely reported figure is ~400 km. The missile is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor and flies in lofted launch trajectory to achieve the reported range of 400 km (250 mi) class, according to the Royal United Services Institute . It has a top speed in excess of Mach 4.^[source]PL-17 · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Source measurement

—

The PL-17 ( NATO reporting name : CH-AA-12 Auger ) or PL-20 is an active radar-guided very-long-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 a claimed range of around 400 km (250 mi) and is intended to target high value airborne assets (HVAA) such as tanker and early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.^[source]PL-17 · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

PL-17 is much larger than other long-range air-to-air missiles, at 6 m (20 ft) long (whereas PL-15 , AIM-120 are measured around 4 m (13 ft) 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 and satellite navigation to track targets. During the terminal phase, the missile would turn on its multimodal seeker with both active radar and passive sensors. The sensors include, reportedly, a miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for tracking, passive anti-radiation seeker for locating radar-equipped targets, and a possible optical window feautring an additional infrared seeker as supplement.^[source]PL-17 · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The missile body features a low-drag profile, and maneuverability is provided by four small control fins and thrust-vectoring engines. Estimates for its maximum operational range may vary, but the widely reported figure is ~400 km. The missile is powered by a dual pulse rocket motor and flies in lofted launch trajectory to achieve the reported range of 400 km (250 mi) class, according to the Royal United Services Institute . It has a top speed in excess of Mach 4.^[source]PL-17 · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage