Introduction:
This topic is about the History, Performance & Discussion of Chinese Air-To-Air missiles.
English is not my native language, and missile data sources are also quite diverse, so if you have any suggestions please feel free.
The way of China’s AAM development is arduous and tortuous, so I hope everyone can view it objectively.
PL (霹雳, Thunderbolt):
PL-1 “The Beginning of Everything”
In 1958, China decided to introduce the K-5M(RS-2U) AAM from the Soviet Union, which was named PL-1. It was in service in 1964, stop production in 1974, it only developed as the technical accumulation of AAM. The J-6A as the carrier for PL-1, only 66 units have been delivered in total, and all of them were unqualified and returned to the factory for refurbishment in the previous few years. It had never been used for combat missions, and were scrapped in 1967. The PL-1 was also left idle in the warehouse for a long time, until it was retired in 1975. Although it is not advanced and has no glorious achievements, but as China’s first AAM, it represents a breakthrough from scratch.[/left][/center]
Performance
- Variant: PL-1
- Length: 2.5 m
- Wingspan: 0.650 m
- Body Diameter: 200 mm
- Weight: 82.7 kg
- Speed: 2.35 Mach
- Guidance: Beam-Riding
- Range: 1.95 - 5.2 km
- G overload: 18G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: No
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on : J-5s, J-6s
PL-2
The PL-2 missile is the Soviet K-13 missile introduced by China. The K-13 is developed on the basis of the AIM-9B AAM provided by China. In September 1958, ROCAF fighter jets launched four AIM-9B missiles in an air battle with the PLAAF. After the war, a batch of missile wreckage was discovered, with complete main components. After obtaining the AIM-9B from China, the Soviet Union developed the K-13 AAM.
In November 1966, the first batch of production was completed with 18 missiles, and other soon followed, and tests were conducted. After two major test events both completed successfully, the first of which was in March 1967 with firing of 19 missiles and the second of which was in May 1967 with firing of 22 missiles, the missile received state certification in November 1967. In August 1970, the AAM entered series production and was formally named as PL-2.
There are many variants of PL-2, most of which have not been put into production, and the main variants include PL-2, PL-2-15, PL-2A and PL-2B, they only made limited improvements to performance. And the PL-2-519 is a SAM modification of the PL-2 with two PL-2 engines in parallel.
Reveal hidden contents
Performance
- Variant: PL-2, PL-2-15, PL-2A, PL-2B
- Length: 2.83 m(PL-2), ~2.94 m(PL-2A), 2.99 m(PL-2B)
- Wingspan: 0.609 m(PL-2), 0.609 m(PL-2A), 0.528 m(PL-2B)
- Body Diameter: 127 mm
- Weight: 75.3 kg(PL-2), 50 kg(PL-2A), 76 kg(PL-2B)
- Speed: 2.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 1.5 -7.6 km(PL-2, PL-2A), 1.3 -10 km(PL-2B)
- G overload: 10 G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: no
- Aspect: Rear-Aspect
- Used on: J-5s, J-6s, J-7s, J-8s, Q-5s
PL-3
PL-3 was the first indigenously developed AAM by China. Originally, the idea was to build an improved version of PL-2 in increasing speed, range, precision, lethality and maneuverability.
However, after the program begun in June 1962, the original goal proved to be too technologically ambitious for the Chinese industry back then to achieve. Additionally, Cultural Revolution occurred several years later also greatly affected the progress of the PL-3 program. After the first batch of 20 missiles completed in June 1968 and the 2nd batch of 30 completed in December 1969, the necessary tests was not completed until November 1974, four years after the initial start in 1970. The missile finally received its state certification in April, 1980, and 50 production version missiles was completed by 1981. However, during training and evaluations, it was revealed that PL-3 did not significantly outperform PL-2, so PL-3 project was terminated in 1983.
Performance
- Variant: PL-3(Not in service)
- Length: 2.123 m
- Wingspan: 0.654 m
- Body Diameter: 135 mm
- Weight: 93 kg
- Speed: 2.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 1.3 - 11.5 km
- G overload: ? G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: no
- Aspect: Rear-Aspect
- Used on: J-7s, J-8s
PL-4
PL-4 is the second AAM designed by China, and also the first SARH designed by China. PL-4 is based on the American AIM-7D AAM that North Vietnam provided to China, adopts a aerodynamic layout similar to the AIM-7D of USA, and forms two missile models, PL-4A and PL-4B, through the exchange of two different seeker types: semi-active radar and passive infrared.It began to develop in March 1966, the first batch of full missile prototypes, launch devices, and ground maintenance equipment were produced in 1984. In 1985, its development was discontinued due to its performance not meeting the requirements for use.
Performance
- Variant: PL-4A(Not in service), PL-4B(Not in service)
- Length: 3.235 m(PL-4A), 3.128 m(PL-4B)
- Wingspan: ? m
- Body Diameter: 190 mm
- Weight: 150 kg(PL-4A), 148 kg(PL-4B)
- Speed: ~2.25 Mach
- Guidance: Semi-Active Radar-Homing(PL-4A), Infrared-Homing(PL-4B)
- Range: ? - 18km(PL-4A), ? - 8km(PL-4B)
- G overload: ? G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: no
- Aspect: All-Aspect (PL-4A) , Rear-Aspect (PL-4B)
- Used on: J-9s(Not in service)
PL-5 “Successful Improvement”
In 1966, China began to develop the PL-5, the semi-active radar-homing type and the infrared type were PL-5A and PL-5B, respectively. The PL-5A began to develop the first sample in April 1966, the first flight test began in July 1971, and the launch test ended in March 1982. In 1983, the development and production of the PL-5A was stopped in the aviation industry model adjustment. In April 1966, the PL-5B began developing the first batch of sample. In early 1967, the first batch of ground and air flight tests began. Subsequently, after multiple batch of sample bomb development and various ground and air launch tests, it was approved for design finalization and put into mass production in September 1986, and began service.
The main improvement of PL-5C is to shorten the minimum launch distance, the PL-5E uses a new seeker, thus obtaining All-aspect attack capability.The PL-5E II added a dual band, multi element detector as well as a laser proximity fuseThe PL-5DE is based on the PL-5E II and has upgraded and improved components such as infrared seekers, missile borne computers, and fuses. It has better detection capabilities, off axis follow-up capabilities, anti-interference capabilities, and fuze warhead coordination performance.
Performance
- Variant: PL-5A(Not in service), PL-5B, PL-5C, PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE
- Length: ? m( PL-5A), 2.892 m(PL-5B, PL-5C), 2.893 m(PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- Wingspan: ? m( PL-5A), 0.657 m(PL-5B, PL-5C), 0.617 m(PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- Body Diameter: 127 mm
- Weight: ? kg( PL-5A), 85 kg(PL-5B, PL-5C), 83 kg(PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- Speed: 2.5 Mach
- Guidance: Semi-Active Radar-Homing(PL-5A), Infrared-Homing(PL-5B, PL-5C, PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- Range: ? - ? km(PL-5A), 1.3 - 16 km(PL-5B), 0.5 - 16 km(PL-5C), 0.5 - 18km(PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- G overload: ? G( PL-5A), 30 G(PL-5B, PL-5C), 35G(PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- IRCCM: Yes(PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- ECCM: Yes(PL-5E II, PL-5DE)
- Aspect: All-Aspect(PL-5A, PL-5E, PL-5E II, PL-5DE), Rear-Aspect(PL-5B, PL-5C)
- Used on: J-7s, J-8s, Q-5s, JH-7s, JF-17s
PL-6
The PL-6 is a new generation of AAM designed and manufactured by China itself. It is a fighting air-to-air missile with high overload mobility The first batch of missiles was completed in 1978 and tests were successfully completed in 1979 How, PL-6 met the same fate of PL-3, in that during training and evaluations, and after very limited production, PL-6 was terminated in 1983.
Performance
- Variant: PL-6
- Length: 2.123 m
- Wingspan: 0.654 m
- Body Diameter: 135 mm
- Weight: 93 kg
- Speed: 2.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 1.3 - 11.5 km
- G overload: 29 G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: No
- Aspect: Rear-Aspect
- Used on: ?
PL-7
The PL-7 air-to-air missile is the Chinese version of the French Magic R.550 missile. It is a short-range, infra-red guided missile use by some Chinese export fighters.
Performance
- Variant: PL-7
- Length: 2.74 m
- Wingspan: 0.66 m
- Body Diameter: 157 mm
- Weight: 89 kg
- Speed: 2.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 0.5 - 14 km
- G overload: 35 G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: No
- Aspect: Rear-Aspect
- Used on: J-7s, Q-5s
PL-8
The PL-8 is a Chinese AMM originated from the Israeli Python-3 AAM, experience gained from PL-8/Python-3 had helped China greatly in developing its next missile, the PL-9.China’s PLAAF was quite impressed with this missile, and paid for licensed production as the PL-8 AAM in the 1980s. The program started on September 15, 1983. From March 1988 to April 1989, technology transfer to China was complete while license assembly and license built parts continued, and by the spring of 1989, the complete domestic Chinese built missile received state certification, China has also developed a helmet-mounted sight system for the PL-8. The PL-8 uses a fluorine cooled indium antimonide seeker with, while the PL-8A uses a two -element infrared seeker and its anti-interference ability is further improved, the lastest PL-8B use a four-element infrared seeker.PL-8H is the SAM version with slightly smaller warhead weighing 10 kg
Performance
- Variant: PL-8, PL-8A, PL-8B
- Length: 2.95 m
- Wingspan: 0.80 m
- Body Diameter: 160 mm
- Weight: 120 kg
- Speed: 3.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 0.5 - 15 km
- G overload: 35 G
- IRCCM: Yes(PL-8A, PL-8B)
- ECCM: Yes(PL-8B)
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-7s, J-8s, J-10s, J-11s, J-15s, J-16s
PL-9 “Final Improvement”
The PL-9 is a short-range, infrared-homing AAM developed by the China. PL-9 is fitted with a cryogenic liquid nitrogen gas-cooled IR seeker capable of +/-40 degree off boresight angles. Flight control is by long span pointed delta fins at the front of the missile with Sidewinder-type slipstream driven rollerons on the aft tail fin surfaces to prevent roll and so enhance the operation of the guidance system. PL-9C was produced in August 2002 and has now been put into mass production. The PL-9C is one of the latest versions of the PL-9, which also has a SAM variant named DK-9. With the main difference being that the seeker os PL-9C adopts a new type of four-element infrared seeker, which greatly increases the missile’s tracking range and target detection capability.
Performance
- Variant: PL-9, PL-9C
- Length: 2.992 m
- Wingspan: 0.856 m
- Body Diameter: 157 mm
- Weight: 119 kg
- Speed: 3.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 0.5 - 15 km
- G overload: 35 G(PL-9), 40G(PL-9C)
- IRCCM: Yes(PL-9C)
- ECCM: Yes(PL-9C)
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-7s, J-8s, JL-9s, JL-10s
PL-10 “The New Era”
The PL-10 is a short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile developed by China. The missile was developed in 2004 for use in stealth fighter jets such as the J-20. The missile is equipped with a multi element IIR seeker that can deviate from the aiming angle of+/-90 degrees. The missile seeker can be installed on the HMD, allowing pilots to use the missile’s high off axis capability to track targets outside the radar scanning area of the aircraft. This is achieved by the pilot turning their head to lock the target. The flight is controlled by a solid rocket motor controlled by thrust vector and a freely movable control wing at the tail of the missile. The center of the missile has a slender edge, which helps to maintain the missile’s maneuverability during the final guidance phase after the rocket engine stops firing.
Performance
- Variant: PL-10, PL-10E
- Length: 3.0 m
- Wingspan: 0.296 m
- Body Diameter: 160 mm
- Weight: ? kg( PL-10 ), 105 kg( PL-10E )
- Speed: >3 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- G overload: ? G( PL-10 ), 60 G( PL-10E )
- Range: 0.5 - 20km
- IRCCM: Yes
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-10s, J-11s, J-15s, J-16s, J-20s, J-35s, JF-17s
PL-11
PL-11 is the AAM version of HQ-61c, and it is also developed by the same developer of HQ-61c, Shanghai Aerospace Bureau. The first successful flight test of PL-11 was conducted in 1992, and the missile entered Chinese service in the mid-1990s. The latest upgrade of PL-11 was completed in 2002. The first PL-11 was an air-launched HQ-61 armed with a mono-pulse SARH seeker based on Italian Selenia Aspide, and eventually upgraded with an ARH seeker. To meet the airborne requirement, PL-11 is slightly shorter than its SAM counterparts, and has a different set of redesigned control surfaces, which has much smaller wingspans while ensure the same performance. PL-11 is the basic version, with HQ-61C armed with the mono-pulse SARH seeker based on Italian Selenia Aspide.PL-11A is the PL-11 incorporating inertial guidance so that targets would only need to be illuminated at the final stage of the engagement, as opposed to the entire engagement for PL-11. Depending on the airborne radar, PL-11A can engage two to four targets in the same time it takes for PL-11 to engage a single target. PL-11B it a ARH version of PL-11, and the last version of PL-11 family. This is a PL-11A armed with an ARH seeker AMR-1.
Performance
- Variant: PL-11, PL-11A, PL-11B
- Length: 3.89 m
- Wingspan: 0.68 m
- Body Diameter: 200 mm
- Weight: 230 kg( PL-11 ), ? kg( PL-11A ), ? kg( PL-11B )
- Speed: 4 Mach
- Guidance: Semi-Active Radar-Homing ( PL-11, PL-11A ) , Active Radar-Homing ( PL-11B )
- Range: 1 - 75 km(PL-11), ? - ? km(PL-11A), ? - ? km(PL-11B)
- G overload: 25 G( PL-11, PL-11A ), ? G( PL-11B )
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: No
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-8s, J-10s
PL-12 “Thunderbolt from the Sky”
The PL-12 active-radar BVR air-to-air missile became the highest priority air-to-air weapons programme for China’s military industry during 2002, and supplanted several previous developmental projects (such as the PL-10 and PL-11) in terms of effort and importance. It provides the People’s Liberation Army Air Force with a sophisticated, domestic airborne weapon on par with mainstream Western Airforces around the world.
For SD-10, on December 24, 1997, the advanced air-to-air missile project conducted a ground engine test in Huayin, and the engine was ground tested to verify performance and collect working data. In 1999, the missile ground fighter was successfully mounted and tested, and the missile system was compatible with the fighter’s avionics and radar systems. In 2002, the missile SD-10 participated in the Zhuhai Air Show that year.For PL-12/SD-10A, in the spring of 2004, missile ground launch tests were successful, and all four air launch tests of the same year were successful. However, problems occurred in the early stages of missile production after finalization, and a large number of missiles that had already been produced had to be returned to the factory for inspection and maintenance. After the problem was finally resolved, the PL-12 missile officially entered service around 2007-2008, and the SD-10A missile was officially exhibited at the 2008 Zhuhai Air Show.The performance of SD-10 is slightly better than AIM-120B but weaker than AIM-120C, while the performance of PL-12/SD-10A is similar to that of AIM-120C.
Performance
- Variant: PL-12, SD-10, SD-10A
- Length: 3.85 m( SD-10 ), 3.934 m( PL-12, SD-10A )
- Wingspan: 0.674 m( SD-10 ), 0.67 m( PL-12, SD-10A )
- Body Diameter: 203 mm
- Weight: 180 kg( SD-10 ), 199 kg( PL-12, SD-10A )
- Speed: 4 Mach
- Guidance: Active Radar-Homing
- Range: 1 - 70km(SD-10), 1-100km(PL-12, SD-10A)
- G overload: 38 G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-8s, J-10s, J-11s, J-15s, J-16s
PL-15 “Gen 5”
The PL-15 is an active radar-guided very long range AAM developed by the China. PL-15 is inducted into military service in 2016 and is being carried by the J-10C, J-16 and J-20 aircraft. The missile features an active electronically scanned array radar, which makes evasion difficult for the most agile of fighter jets. It is 4 meters long and incorporates a dual-thrust rocket motor. Upon launch, the missile reaches a speed of mach 4 and is capable of engaging targets at a distance more than 200 km.
Compared to Chinese previous generation PL-12, which boasts a maximum range of 100 km, the new and larger PL-15 has a longer radar detection range and increased anti-jamming capability. During the 2018 Airshow China, two J-20 fighters of PLAAF displays their internal payload, with each carrying four PL-15 and two PL-10E in its internal weapons bay. PL-15 effectively increases Chinese Anti-Access/Area Denial capability by targeting key targets, such as Aerial refueling and AEW&C aircraft. PL-15E is the export version of PL-15, Its maximum range has been reduced to 145km.
Performance
- Variant: PL-15. PL-15E
- Length: 3.996 m
- Wingspan: 0.68 m
- Body Diameter: 203 mm
- Weight: ? kg( PL-15 ), 210 kg( PL-15E )
- Speed: ? Mach
- Guidance: Active Radar-Homing
- Range: 1 - 200 km(PL-15), 1 - 145 km(PL-15E)
- G overload: ? G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-10s, J-11s, J-15s, J-16s, J-20s, J-35s
PL-17
Performance
- Variant: PL-17
- Length: ? m
- Wingspan: ? m
- Body Diameter: ? mm
- Weight: ? kg
- Speed: ? Mach
- Guidance: Active Radar-Homing
- Range: ? - ? km
- G overload: ? G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: J-16s
TY (天燕, Sky Swallow):
TY-90 “Sky Guardian”
TY-90 air-to-air missile is a multi-purpose infrared guided missile. It can intercept targets such as helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, or cruise missiles flying at low or ultra-low altitudes. Adopting multiple infrared guidance and digital information processing system, it has anti-interference ability, can achieve automatic interception and tracking, and has zero altitude and zero initial velocity launch capabilities. Due to its lightweight and small size, the TY-90 missile can be flexibly configured on various aircraft platforms. The service number of TY-90 in the PLA is AKK-90.
Performance
- Variant: TY-90, TY-90A
- Length: 1.862 m
- Wingspan: ? m
- Body Diameter: 90 mm
- Weight: 20 kg
- Speed: ? Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 0.5 - 6 km
- G overload: 20 G
- IRCCM: Yes
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: Z-9s, Z-10s, Z-11s, Z-19s
TY-20
Performance
- Variant: TY-20R, TY-20I
- Length: 3.45 m
- Wingspan: ? m
- Body Diameter: 160/180 mm
- Weight: 150 kg( TY-20R ), 146 kg( TY-20I )
- Speed: ? Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: ? - ? km
- G overload: 20 G
- IRCCM: Yes(TY-20I)
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: ?
TC (天剑, Heavenly Sword):
TC-1
The development work of TC-1 began in the early 1980s, and its shape is very similar to the AIM-9L. It also uses a canard layout and front wing control, tail wing stability to control flight. The missile is equipped with an improved solid rocket engine. After the missile is ignited and detached, the smoke dissipates quickly and is not easily detected by the target aircraft. The seeker of TC-1 adopts refrigeration indium antimonide detection module, which has high sensitivity and strong anti-interference ability, and can attack in all directions. The warhead is equipped with an active laser proximity fuze and uses annular fragments to kill the warhead.
Performance
- Variant: TC-1
- Length: 2.84 m
- Wingspan: 0.60 m
- Body Diameter: 127 mm
- Weight: 90 kg
- Speed: 3.5 Mach
- Guidance: Infrared-Homing
- Range: 0.5 - 18 km
- G overload: 35 G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: No
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: F-CKs
TC-2
The TC-2 was first made public during the Hanguang 11 exercise in 1994, when it was launched by an F-CK-1 and hit the target. When the ROC announced in 1997 that it was going to mass produce, it said that it could be equipped with two wings, that is, 130 F-CK-1 fighters. The final output calculated by this method would be about 400. However, the later news showed that the number already produced was less than 300. At the beginning of 2002, it was reported that there had been some difficulties in the procurement of key components. The military in ROC issued a press release to clarify that this was not true.
In order to solve the problem of insufficient combat readiness of F-CK-1 and TC-2, the ROCAF added new TC-2 to the Chinese Academy of Sciences at the beginning of the 21st century. The ordering time and quantity were unknown. The ROCAF announced to receive the first batch of new missiles for the Spring Festival combat readiness at the end of January 2010.
Performance
- Variant: TC-2, TC-2C
- Length: 3.593 m
- Wingspan: 0.448 m(TC-2), 0.621 m(TC-2C)
- Body Diameter: 190 mm
- Weight: 195 kg
- Speed: 4 Mach(TC-2), 6 Mach(TC-2C)
- Guidance: Active Radar-Homing
- Range: 1 - 60 km(TC-2), 1 -100km(TC-2C)
- G overload: 35 G
- IRCCM: No
- ECCM: Yes
- Aspect: All-Aspect
- Used on: F-CKs
Source：
《台海了望》
《中国飞机全书》第三卷
《关键转折点–讲讲中国霹雳-2空空导弹的研制过程》
《平显不校靶》
《航空记忆：中国第一枚空空导弹的诞生》
《机载往事》
more…
