During Zhuhai Airshow 2024, China displayed a new variant of its PL-15 BVRAAM with folding fins, adapted for J-20 fighters' internal weapon bays.
Due to adverse storage limitations of fifth-generation fighters' weapon bays, China has recently developed a new approach by folding its PL-15 BVRAAM's wings during carriage.
A video in the booth shows that the J-20's main bay inside the airframe may carry six missiles to reduce total cross-section. Previously, J-20 could carry only four PL-15 BVRAAMs in baseline configuration.
This brings the J-20's capacity for AAMs closer to that of the F-22, which can carry six AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles.
PL-15 is a follow-up to the PL-12 BVRAAM with a longer range thanks to improvements in the rocket section. The missile is close to becoming the new main BVRAAM of the PLAAF and has started its service as the PL-15E export variant at the Pakistani Air Force's JF-17 Block III and J-10C fighters.
