PL-5

PL-5
PL-5
Type	Short-range air-to-air missile
Place of origin	China
Production history
Manufacturer	Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC), ; Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory
Specifications
Mass	148 kg (PL-5B, PL-5C), 83kg (PL-5E)
Length	3.128 m (PL-5B, PL-5C), 2.893m (PL-5E)
Diameter	0.127m (PL-5E)
Wingspan	0.657m (PL-5B, PL-5C), 0.617m (PL-5E)
Warhead	6kg blast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse)
Detonation; mechanism	Active infrared, laser proximity fuse(PL-5EII)
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
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 (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.

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

Bangladesh uses PL-5 and PL-5EII[3]
Burma PL-5B and PL-5EII
Egypt
Iran
Pakistan 900 ordered, PL-5E.[4]
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Tanzania
Venezuela 100 ordered, PL-5E.[4]
Zimbabwe[5]

References

https://www.flightglobal.com/china-reveals-upgraded-variant-of-pl5-missile/20260.article
"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.
The Military Balance 2019, p. 253.
Arms Transfers Database Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter; Hinz, Fabian; Lepko, Mark (2011). African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe. Houston: Harpia Publishing. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-9825539-8-5.

Works cited

International Institute for Strategic Studies (2019). The Military Balance 2019. Routledge. ISBN 978-1857439885.

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[1] ttps://www.flightglobal.com/china-reveals-upgraded-variant-of-pl5-missile/20260.article

[AirForceWorld.com_PL5_missile-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.

[FOOTNOTEThe_Military_Balance_2019253-3] The Military Balance 2019, p. 253.

[sipri-4] Arms Transfers Database Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

[5] Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter; Hinz, Fabian; Lepko, Mark (2011). African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe. Houston: Harpia Publishing. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-9825539-8-5.