At a display, the Chinese Air Force specially displayed the Thunderbolt-17 missiles mounted under the wing of the J-16 fighter. This missile is huge, it is said that it can reach a range of 400 kilometers, and it is called "Thunderbolt"-xx by foreign countries. This shows that the missile is very advanced in terms of diameter, shape and technology. It uses a vector engine and is capable of performing difficult maneuvers in the air to track enemy targets. This missile is mounted at the middle hardpoint of the wing, which cannot be carried by ordinary pylons due to its huge size. Visually, the missile is longer than the rear edge of the wing and the leading edge, and the diameter of the missile is very wide, about 6 meters. It is called a "hunting missile" and is suitable for striking at key rear targets such as enemy early warning aircraft and tankers. By destroying the enemy's command post, its air combat capabilities can be significantly weakened, similar to the decline in Ukraine's air combat capabilities after receiving the West's **. Therefore, this missile may not only be prepared for large aircraft such as early warning and refueling in the second line, but also pose a threat to heavy fighters such as the US F-22. This strike method plays an important role in seizing air supremacy, defeating enemy air targets, and striking second-line support aircraft such as early warning and refueling.
The missile technology of the Chinese Aerospace Forces has been developing rapidly and is no longer limited to imitation. The missiles of the "Thunderbolt" series in the past were only imitations of the American "Sidewinder" and the Israeli "Strange Snake". However, today's "Thunderbolt"-12, "Thunderbolt"-15 and this "Thunderbolt"-17 are the results of independent innovation. From the engine, the seeker to the external dimensions and target settings for striking have been carefully developed and designed. It is believed that this missile will bring us more surprises.
By looking at the ** in this presentation, we can draw a number of conclusions. The shape of this missile, like the previously discovered J-16 mounted missile, will become an extra-long "sword" for China's naval aviation and air force aviation. Its presence will have a significant impact on the defeat of the main enemy combat adversary and the destruction of key node objectives of its combat system. This mode of attack and control plays a crucial role in seizing air supremacy and ultra-long-range operations. At the same time, it is also of great significance to carry out air strikes against the enemy's second-line support aircraft, such as early warning and refueling. The pace of our innovation and development is very fast, and with the continuous improvement of missile technology, in the future missiles will be able to attack targets at greater distances, which will increase our air strike capabilities.
Through the J-16 mounted Thunderbolt-17 missile displayed by the Chinese Air Force, we can see the continuous progress and independent innovation of China's missile technology. The missile's huge size and advanced technology make it capable of long-range strikes and threats to key targets such as early warning and refueling for the enemy. Its existence has an important impact on seizing air supremacy, defeating the enemy's air combat adversary and disrupting key nodes of the combat system. Through continuous innovation and development, we believe that the Chinese Air Force will continue to make breakthroughs in the field of missile technology and make greater contributions to the growth of the country's defense and military strength.