The PL-7 (Chinese: 霹雳-7; pinyin: Pī Lì-7; lit. 'Thunderbolt-7') is the PRC version of the French Magic R.550 short-range air-to-air missile.[1] It is a short-range, infrared homing missile used by Chinese fighter aircraft.[2] 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 – Infrared homing
Operational history
During the late 1998–2001 Zimbabwean intervention in the Second Congo War, Air Force of Zimbabwe BAE Hawks were reportedly modified to be armed with PL-7s for air interception missions in support of Zimbabwean and Laurent Kabila‘s government forces.[3]
Operators
- Iranian Air Force: Received at least 400 PL-7s.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Roblin, Sébastien (24 August 2024). “China Copied Its Way to Building a World-Class Air-to-Air Missile”. Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 2026-05-07. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ^ Duncan, Lennox; Hewson, Robert (2001). Jane’s Air launched Weapons, Edition 2001. United Kingdom: Jane’s Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-0866-6.
- ^ “HAL’s Gamble – Will the “Advanced Hawk” break into the Export market?”. 17 February 2017.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). “Chapter Six: Asia”. The Military Balance. 120 (1): 255. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707967. S2CID 219627149.