The design itself is not really stealthy I think they mean it’s hard to fool the missile because of its optical guidance which doesn’t emit anything. The range if 15-18km, very good for fast attack boats. It is a version of the C.701.

Is it known what a range IDFAF F-16I’s with conformal fuel tanks, one large belly, two large under wing and two smaller outer fuel tanks have ?

I have heared that the IDF has also developed even larger fuel tanks for belly and inner wings.

In such a high-drag/high-weight configuration there is not much place for payload but what would be the ferry range without any load in a hi-hi-hi operation ?

Yes the weather is the argument.

And sure there are other guidance methods for a 100km missile but at the moment its the most cost effective method to be really accurate.

I’m not sure if the C.701 will enter service in China and I also never saw a land version also not about an air launched helicopter version in service not to speak about one from a fighter launched version.

It seems so that the C.701, like the FL-6 are one of those joint-Iranian/Chinese programs, which do not enter service in China.

Generally China seems not to like EO weapons, for some reasons.