PL-5

The PL-5 (霹雳-5) air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, "Thunderbolt" in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is a short-range, Infrared homing missile used by Chinese fighters. It is based on AA-2 Atoll technology and resembles the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The PL-5 was designed and developed at China's Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC), also known as Institute 612; its design team members included Chen Jiali (陈家礼), Dong Chunfeng, Hu Rongchao (胡荣超), Huang Bin, Zhang Ming (张明), and Zheng Zhiwei (郑志伟). It was reportedly produced at the Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory (also known as the Hanzhong Air-to-Air Missile Factory) of the China Aviation Industry Corporation I.

PL-5
TypeShort-range air-to-air missile
Place of originChina
Production history
ManufacturerLuoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC),
Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory
Specifications
Mass148 kg (PL-5B, PL-5C), 83kg (PL-5E)
Length3.128 m (PL-5B, PL-5C), 2.893m (PL-5E)
Diameter0.127m (PL-5E)
Warhead6kg blast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse)
Detonation
mechanism
Active infrared, laser proximity fuse(PL-5EII)
EngineSolid-fuel rocket
Wingspan0.657m (PL-5B, PL-5C), 0.617m (PL-5E)
Operational
range
1.3–16km (PL-5B, PL-5C), 0.5-16~18km (PL-5E)
Maximum speed Mach 2.5
Guidance
system
Infrared homing, multi-element, dual band detector(PL-5EII)
Launch
platform
Aircraft, helicopter gunships

The PL-5 have been continuously upgraded by Luoyang and the latest variant, the PL-5EII, added a dual band, multi-element detector as well as a laser proximity fuse similar to the PL-9. According to the Chinese export/import agency CATIC, the PL5E has an all-aspect capability with the seeker having a maximum off boresight angle of ±25° before launch, and ±40° after launch.[1]

PLAAF J-10 and J-11 fighter jets mainly use the PL-8 missile, which is more advanced when compared to the PL-5. However, due to greater weight and dimensions of the PL-8 missile, for F-7 and JH-7, the PL-5 is still the preferable air-to-air missile at this stage.[2]

Operators
Map with PL-5 operators in blue

Current operators

References
  1. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1998/03/25/34707/china-reveals-upgraded-variant-of-pl5-missile.html
  2. "PL-5 air-to-air missile and J-7 fighter jet modification, Chinese PLAAF". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 5 Nov 2011.
  3. The Military Balance 2019, p. 253.
  4. Arms Transfers Database Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.


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