PL-12
| PL-12 | |
|---|---|
 A model of an export version of the PL-12, SD-10A, (bottom-left corner) with 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] |
| Diameter | 203 millimetres (8.0 in) |
| 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.[9] Development was assisted by Vympel NPO and Agat of Russia.[10] Liang Xiaogeng is believed to have been the chief designer.[11] Four successful test firings were made in 2004. By 2005, the missile was also known as the PL-12.[10]
Description
The PL-12 may have initially used the radar and data link from Russian R-77,[12] or systems benefiting from technology transfers from Russia ,with indigenous systems being the rocket motor and airframe among others.[12] The PL-12 may have a passive homing mode for use against jammers and AEW aircraft.[9]
Variants
- SD-10 (ShanDian-10, 闪电-10) - Export version of the PL-12. There is also a SD-10B.[8]
- DK-10A - Surface to air missile with range from 3 to 50 km and altitude from 30 m to 20 km. Also called Sky Dragon 50, SD-50, Tianlong 50, GAS2. [13] Very similar to NASAMS.
- SD-30 -Surface to air missile, first unveiled at 2018 Zhuhai Airshow.[14]
- LD-10 (雷电-10) - Anti-radiation missile.[15]
Operators
Current operators
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF), 800 ordered.[16]
- DK-10A missiles 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
- ^ 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 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.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ 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.
- ^ https://twitter.com/jaawadqamar/status/1059079741402161152
- ^ https://www.popsci.com/missiles-zhuhai-china-displays-new-strike-arsenal#page-4
- ^ http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
- ^ https://www.hespress.com/orbites/379536.html
- 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.
- 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.