PL-9

The PL-9 is a short-range, infrared-homing air-to-air missile (AAM) developed by the People's Republic of China. It was designed by under Dong Bingyin [董秉印] at the Luoyang Electro Optical Center (also known as Institute 612 and renamed in 2002 as the China Air-to-Air Guided Missile Research Institute [中国空空导弹研究院] ).

The PL-9C is the latest version of the PL-9, which also has a surface-to-air variant. The PL-9C tactical low-altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) was first revealed during the 1989 Paris Air Show. The launch unit is available in both towed and self-propelled arrangement. The self-propelled version has a launch complex consisting four-rail launcher and the associated target acquisition and radar and electro-optical director mounted on a 6X6 WZ551 armored personnel carrier (APC). The towed version has a four-rail launcher mounted on a four-wheel carriage. The launch unit is supported by a range of truck-mounted ground equipment for maintenance and missile testing.

The missile 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. The missile has a maximum effective range of 35km and an altitude limit of 6.5km. The single-shot hit probability for a single missile launch at an approaching target is 90%. The missile can be used at a stand alone system, or as a part of the Type 390 (DK-9) brigade (regiment)-level combined AAA/SAM air defence system. The missile entered production in 1991 and saw limited service with the PLA ground forces.

Specifications (PL-9C)

* Weight: 115 kg
* Length: 2.9 m
* Diameter: 0.157 m
* Max. maneuverability: 40 G
* Max. range: 22 km (air-to-air), >8 km (surface-to-air)
* Max. altitude: 4.5 km (surface-to-air)
* Max. speed: Mach 3+
* Warhead: 11.8 kg HE
* Propulsion: Single-stage solid propellant rocket motor
* Guidance: all-aspects passive infrared seeker, with proportional navigation
* Developer: Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center, Luoyang, Henan.

External links

* [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/pl9.asp Chinese Defence Today]