| PL-9 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | c. 1989 |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC) Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory Xi’an Eastern Machinery Factory |
| Produced | 1989—present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 123kg (PL-9) 115kg (PL-9C) |
| Length | 2.9m (PL-9/C) |
| Diameter | 0.157m (PL-9C) |
| Wingspan | 0.856m (PL-9C) |
| Warhead | 11.8kgblast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse) |
Detonation mechanism | laser proximity fuse |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 15km (PL-9) 22km (PL-9C, air-to-air) >8km (DK-9, surface-to-air) |
| Flight altitude | 4.5km (surface-to-air) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2+[1] |
Guidance system | multi-element infrared |
Launch platform | Aircraft, helicopter gunships, ground-launched |
ThePL-9 (Chinese:霹雳-9;pinyin:Pī Lì-9;lit. 'Thunderbolt-9') is a short-range,infrared-homingair-to-air missile (AAM) developed by thePeople's Republic of China.
The PL-9 program was initiated in 1986. The missile entered batch production in 1989. Two improved variants, PL-9B and PL-9C, was certified in 1992 and 2002. The latest version of the PL-9 is PL-9D.[2]
The missile was originally designed by Dong Bingyin (董秉印) at the Luoyang Electro Optical Center, which is 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). After Dong Bingyin died, his position was succeeded by Mr. Jin Xianzhong (金先仲). The deputy general designer of PL-9 is the same deputy general designer ofPL-12, Dr. Liang Xiaogeng (梁晓庚).
The PL-9C is one of the later versions of the PL-9, which also has asurface-to-air variant (DK-9). The PL-9C tactical low-altitudesurface-to-air missile (SAM) was first revealed during the 1989Paris Air Show. The launch unit is available in both towed and self-propelled arrangements. 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 6X6WZ551armored 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 PL-9 utilizes the airframe modified from thePL-5 andPL-7 missile. The seeker head is fitted with sensors fromPL-8 andPython-3 missile.[3] The missile is fitted with a cryogenicliquid nitrogen gas-cooledIR 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 drivenrollerons 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 35 km[citation needed], although a hit at such a range is unlikely, as maximum effective range calculations tend to assume a meeting engagement against a target flying at high altitude straight at the missile, minimizing the range the missile itself needs to cover. 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 thePLA ground forces.
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