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Measured figures
Length
Single sourceLength : 265 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics · Length : 265 cm
Configuration
| Specification | Nimrod (missile) | PL-17 |
|---|---|---|
| Role | long-range air-to-surface missile[source] | active radar-guided very-long-range air-to-air missile[source] |
| Source measurement | Nimrod has a semi-active laser guidance system that operates day or night. Its flight trajectory can be set below obscuring cloud layers, while a forward reconnaissance scout team uses a laser designator to direct it from up to 26 km (16 mi).[source]Nimrod (missile) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Nimrod allows a gunner to pre-select a flight trajectory mode. This can be direct trajectory, high cruise trajectory or low cruise trajectory , the cruise altitude being constant and between 300–1,500 m (980–4,920 ft).[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The gimballed and stabilised seeker head acquires, tracks and homes in on its target using localised proportional navigation. It is said to have a view angle of more than 30°. The seeker has a search area 5 km (3.1 mi) wide and deep. In the terminal flight phase, the weapon adopts a dive angle of approximately 45° to strike an armoured target on the thinner, more vulnerable upper surfaces. |
Diameter
Single sourceDiameter : 17 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics · Diameter : 17 cm
Weight
Single sourceWeight : 100 kg[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics · Weight : 100 kg
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
The missile is stored in a sealed canister which also acts as the launcher. Total weight of the missile and canister is 150 kg (330 lb). It has five main sections: seeker, guidance and control, warhead, solid-propellant rocket motor, and servo. It is roll-stabilised in flight. Time to come into action at a launch site is less than 3 minutes; there is no need to survey the site for alignment or levelling, nor does it require a direct line of sight to a target. The weapon can be fired in single-round, ripple, or salvo modes.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Effective range : 300 - 36,000 meters[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Length : 265 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Diameter : 17 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Body : 18 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Span 40 cm[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Weight : 100 kg[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Speed : ~1000 km/h or Mach 0.8[source]Nimrod (missile) · Characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Nimrod 2 – A dual guidance, laser and Global Positioning System (GPS), homing missile, with a range of 26 km (16 mi), and a mobile launcher. The warhead is 14 kg (31 lb), and the missile supports various warheads for a variety of targets. This missile is well suited to rapid response and for coastal defence.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Nimrod 3 – An extended variant of Nimrod 2. The missile has a range of 50 km (31 mi) with 50 kg (110 lb) warhead. It supports various warheads for a wide range of targets, and has a mobile launcher.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Nimrod SR – A short-range (8 km (5.0 mi)) variant that can be fired from ground and airborne platforms.[source]Nimrod (missile) · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
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 |
| Country of origin | Israel[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 5, cell 2; revision 1349150138; retrieved 2026-10-02 | — |
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| Type | — | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (very-long-range)[source] |
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| Place of origin | — | People's Republic of China[source] |
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| In service | — | 2024–present[source] |
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| Used by | — | People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force[source] |
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| Manufacturer | — | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology[source] |
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| Engine | — | Dual-pulsed solid-propellant rocket[source] |
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| Guidance system | — | Active radar homing / infrared homing / passive radiation homing .[source] |
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| Launch platform | — | Chengdu J-20 Shenyang J-16[source] |
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| Reported operators |
| — |
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