PL-5


The PL-5 air-to-air missile 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, also known as Institute 612; its design team members included Chen Jiali, Dong Chunfeng, Hu Rongchao, Huang Bin, Zhang Ming, and Zheng Zhiwei. It was reportedly produced at the Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine 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.
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.

Operators

Current operators