The PL-7 air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, "Thunderbolt" in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is the PRC version of the French Magic R.550 missile. It is a short-range, infra-red guided missile use by Chinese fighters. It was designed by Wu Shendao, and produced at the Factory 331 (Zhuzhou Aeroengine factory) (中国株洲航空发动机厂).
Specifications[]
- Length - 2.74 m
- Diameter - 157 mm
- Wingspan - 0.66 m
- Weight - 89 kg
- Warhead - 12.5 kg
- Speed - Mach 2.5
- Range - 0.5 to 14 km
- Guidance - IR
Operational history[]
During late 2000 and 2001, Zimbabwean BAE Hawks were reportedly armed with PL-7s for air escort missions against possible Ugandan MiG-21s during the their deployment in support of Laurent Kabila's government.
External links[]
- http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/weapon/pl7.asp
- http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=246&Itemid=47
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The original article can be found at PL-7 and the edit history here.