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I think that comparison is qualitatively correct - and possibly even quantitatively correct.

Longer range is a big deal and the US military seems to be spooked by the PL-15 capabilities.
USAF and PL-15

Regarding J-31: I guess with long range PL-15 , J-31 has a great advantage against 4th gen fighters. But it doesn’t do well against 5th gen VLO fighters. I did a test of J-31 vs F-35 before. Both sides proficiency set at regular, EMCON 4, head to head , get close at cruise speed. F-35 wins 90% of the engagements.

Most of the time the engagement begin with a F-35’s radar reports a bogey contact at 23nm

7/20/1990 12:17:06 PM - [SARH 2] New contact! Designated BOGEY #21 - Detected by Serria #1 (F-35B Lightning II) [Sensors: AN/APG-81 AESA] at 109deg - 23.1nm

Then a target classification through IRST

7/20/1990 12:17:11 PM - [SARH 2] Contact: BOGEY #21 has been classified as: J-31 [Carrier Variant] - Determined as: Hostile (Classification by: Serria #1 (F-35B Lightning II) [Sensor: EOTS [IRST]] at 22.4 nm)

J-31 will only get an enemy contact after the AIM120D left F-35

7/20/1990 12:17:22 PM - [SARH 1] New contact! Designated MISSILE #21 - Detected by changjian #1 (J-31 [Carrier Variant]) [Sensors: Mk1 Eyeball] at 293deg - 21.4nm - Medium Contrail Detected.

7/20/1990 12:17:26 PM - [SARH 1] New contact! Designated BOGEY #22 - Detected by changjian #1 (J-31 [Carrier Variant]) [Sensors: Mk1 Eyeball] at 293deg - 21nm - Small Contrail Detected.

After OODA cooldown, J-31 release two PL-15s but it is too late. (see the pic below)




Most of the time the first salvo from F-35 destroys J-31, so the two PL-15 will lose their mid-course correction and will not be able to trace evading F-35.

Regarding the missile’s end game calculation , 20nm distance is a “knife fight” to a AIM-120D or PL-15. Neither one suffer PoH reduction due to the distance , so J-31 has a little bit of advantage due to its higher base agility ( 5 vs 4.5) but this advantage is nerf by J-31’s inferior DECM ability.

7/20/1990 12:17:47 PM - Decoy (Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]; Tech: N/A) from changjian #1 is attempting to seduce sensor: Active Radar Seeker (Tech: Early 2010s)(Guiding weapon: AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4 #98). Final probability: 0%. Result: 61 - FAILURE

7/20/1990 12:17:47 PM - Defensive jammer (Generic DECM [Advanced]; Tech: Early 1990s) on changjian #1 is attempting to spoof sensor: Active Radar Seeker (Tech: Early 2010s)(Of: AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4 #98). Final probability: 5%. Result: 5 - SUCCESS