Brief Summary
This video explains why many PL-15 missiles launched by Pakistani fighter jets landed in India without exploding. The key reason is that India successfully jammed the data link between the missiles and the fighter jets, causing the missiles to lose guidance and fall harmlessly. The PL-15, a beyond-visual-range missile, relies on this data link for guidance beyond 50 km due to the Earth's curvature.
- PL-15 missiles have a range of 200 km but require data link guidance beyond 50 km.
- India jammed the data link between the missiles and the Pakistani fighter jets.
- Loss of guidance caused the missiles to fall unexploded.
PL-15 Missile Overview
The PL-15 is a beyond-visual-range missile with a range of 200 km. However, beyond 50 km, the Earth's curvature obstructs direct visibility between the missile and its target. This means that after the missile is launched from a Pakistani fighter jet, it requires continuous guidance via a data link from the fighter jet to effectively reach its target.
The Role of Data Link
After the PL-15 missile is launched from a Pakistani fighter jet, it relies on a data link to receive guidance information from the launching aircraft to hit its target accurately. This data link is crucial for the missile to adjust its trajectory and maintain its course, especially when the target is beyond the visual range of the fighter jet.
India's Jamming Strategy
India successfully jammed the data link that connected the PL-15 missiles to the Pakistani fighter planes. By disrupting this communication channel, the missiles were unable to receive updated target information or course corrections.
Consequences of Jamming
As a result of the jammed data link, the PL-15 missiles lost their guidance systems. Without the ability to receive instructions from the fighter jets, the missiles became ineffective and ultimately fell unexploded on the Indian side. This jamming effectively neutralised the threat posed by the PL-15 missiles.
