PL-5

Common card · No. 454117

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 2nd and 3rd generation fighters and jet trainers. It is an upgraded version of the PL-2, which is based on Vympel K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll") technology that resembles the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The PLAAF's latest-generation non-stealth fighters like the J-10 and J-11 mainly use PL-8B and PL-10 missiles, while stealth fighters like the J-20 and J-35 rely exclusively on the PL-10 for short-range engagements. These models are more advanced short-range air-to-air missiles than the PL-5. However, due to the greater weight and dimensions of the PL-8 and PL-10 missiles, the PL-5, PL-7, and PL-9 are still the preferable air-to-air missiles for the F-7 at this stage. The PL-5 was designed and developed at China's Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC), also known as Institute 612; its design...

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