PL-12
| PL-12 | |
|---|---|
 A model of an export version of the PL-12, SD-10A, (bottom-left corner) with a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 on display at the Farnborough Airshow 2010. | |
| Type | Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 180 kilograms (400 lb)[1] |
| Engine | Solid fuel rocket |
Operational range | 70–100 kilometres (43–62 mi)[2][3] |
Guidance system | Active radar[4] |
Launch platform | |
The PL-12 (Chinese: 霹雳-12; pinyin: Pī Lì-12; lit. 'Thunderbolt-12') is an active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the People's Republic of China. It is considered comparable to the American AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Russian R-77.[4]
Development history
The first public information of the Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute's PL-12 – then called the SD-10 – emerged in 2001.[10] Development was assisted by Vympel NPO and Agat of Russia.[11] Liang Xiaogeng is believed to have been the chief designer.[12] Four successful test firings were made in 2004. By 2005, the missile was also known as the PL-12.[11]
Description
The PL-12 may use the radar and data link from the Russian R-77,[13] or otherwise use systems benefiting from technology transfers from Russia. The missile uses a Chinese rocket motor[10] and airframe.[13] The PL-12 may have a passive homing mode for use against jammers and AEW aircraft.[10]
Variants
- SD-10 (ShanDian-10, 闪电-10) - Export version of the PL-12. There is also a SD-10B.[9]
- DK-10A - Surface-to-air variant with a range of 3 to 50 km and altitude from 30 m to 20 km.[14][15]
Operators
Current operators
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF), 600 ordered. 425 received as of 2018.[16]
- DK-10A; used by Sky Dragon 50 SAM system.[17]
See also
Similar weapons
References
- ^ a b O'Rourke: page 21
- ^ Medeiros et al.: page 93
- ^ Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (21 February 2010). "The Air Balance on the Taiwan Strait". International Assessment and Strategy Center. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ a b Cliff: page 8
- ^ Hallion etc al.: page 195
- ^ O'Rourke: page 77
- ^ Gormley et al.: page 55
- ^ Gormley et al.: page 13
- ^ a b Jennings, Gareth (4 March 2015). "Bulgaria to be offered JF-17 fighter by Pakistan". janes.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ a b c Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (2 February 2008). "China's Emerging 5th Generation Air-to-Air Missiles". International Assessment and Strategy Center. Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ a b Medeiros et al.: page 92
- ^ Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (18 September 2015). "Chief designer reveals data on China's new Luoyang PL-10 AAM". janes.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ a b Fisher, Richard D. Jr. (21 November 2002). "Military Sales to China: Going to Pieces". International Assessment and Strategy Center. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ "Sky Dragon 50 GAS2 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air defense missile". Army Recognition.
- ^ "Sky Dragon takes aim [IDX15D4]". Jane's. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
- ^ Binnie, Jeremy (31 January 2018). "Morocco reportedly acquires Sky Dragon 50 SAM". Jane's. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- Bibliography
- Cliff, Roger (May 2010). The Development of China’s Air Force Capabilities (PDF) (Report). RAND Corporation. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- Gormley, Dennis M.; Erickson, Andrew S.; Yuan, Jingdong (2014). A Low-Visibility Force Multiplier: Assessing China’s Cruise Missile Ambitions (PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: National Defense University Press.
- Hallion, Richard P.; Cliff, Roger P.; Saunder, Phillip C., eds. (2012). The Chinese Air Force: Evolving Concepts, Roles, and Capabilities (PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: National Defense University Press.
- Medeiros, Evan S.; Cliff, Roger; Crane, Keith; Mulvenon, James C. (2005). A New Direction for China's Defense Industry. RAND Corporation. ISBN 9780833040794.
- O'Rourke, Ronald (28 February 2014). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 1 November 2016.