| Feature | F-16V | J-15 |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | Single | Twin |
| Max takeoff weight | ~21–23 tons | ~33+ tons |
| Combat radius | ~550–700 km (mission-dependent) | ~700–1,000 km (mission-dependent) |
| Radar | AESA (AN/APG-83) | AESA reported in newer variants |
| Weapons load | ~7–8 tons | ~12+ tons |
| Role emphasis | Multirole strike + air combat |
Carrier air defense + heavy strike
|
AIM-120 AMRAAM
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Medium- to long-range air-to-air missile used by the U.S., NATO, and many allies.
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Active radar homing with mid-course updates via datalink.
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Combat-proven over decades and extremely mature in integration and reliability. GloballyUpdated
PL-15 (“霹雳-15”)
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Chinese long-range air-to-air missile designed for modern BVR engagements.
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Uses an advanced active radar seeker and likely dual-pulse solid rocket motor to boost range and endgame performance. GlobalSecurity
Range & Speed
| Feature | AIM-120D (typical latest) | PL-15 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. Max Range (est.) | ~160–180 km | ~200–300 km+ (varies by source & version) China News+1 |
| Propulsion | Single solid rocket motor | Dual-pulse solid rocket — higher speed/energy retention GlobalSecurity |
| Top Speed | ~Mach 4 |
~Mach 5+ (theoretical) CMGM |
雷达
AN/APG-83 (F-16V)
Modern, reliable AESA
Excellent ECCM and multirole capability
Combat-ecosystem maturity
Designed to make older F-16s competitive again
Think: balanced, proven, highly integrated.
New Chinese AESA avionics (J-10C / J-16 / J-15 variants)
Longer-range designs on some platforms
Integrated with PL-15 long-range missiles
Rapidly improving EW/datalink capability
Think: ambitious, powerful, but less transparent and less battle-proven.
F-16V (Viper upgrade)
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Country: USA (Lockheed Martin)
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Generation: 4.5
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Engine: single
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Role: multirole / precision strike / interception
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Focus: avionics, sensors, networking, cost efficiency
Basically a legacy F-16 turned into a modern digital fighter.
J-16
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Country: China
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Based on: Russian Su-30 / Flanker lineage
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Generation: 4.5
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Engine: twin
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Role: long-range air superiority + deep strike
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Focus: range, payload, endurance, two-seat crew
It is large, powerful, designed for long missions with many weapons.
? Key numbers (approximate, open sources)
| Feature | F-16V | J-16 |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Max takeoff weight | ~21–23 tons | ~35+ tons |
| Combat radius | ~550–700 km | ~1,000+ km (with tanks) |
| Radar | AN/APG-83 AESA | Chinese AESA (larger antenna) |
| Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Weapons load | ~7–8 tons | ~12+ tons |
| Feature | PL-17 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile |
| NATO Name | CH-AA-12 (Auger) |
| Length | ~6 m (large, physically bigger than PL-15/AIM-120) Wikipedia |
| Range | Estimated ~300–500 km+ in some reports (exact varies) WForum+1 |
| Max Speed | ~Mach 4–5 (≈4,900 km/h) Global Military |
| Guidance | Inertial + satellite nav + datalink for midcourse; active AESA radar + passive/infrared sensors in terminal phase Global Military |
| Propulsion | Dual-pulse rocket motor Wikipedia |
Strengths of J-16 + PL-17
Threatens the backbone of Western air operations
Expands China’s “anti-access / area denial” envelope
Forces opposing fighters to fight without close AWACS support
Adds psychological + tactical pressure
