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A new short-range AAM (or ASM?) is speculated to be under development. This missile appears to feature a radar seeker and can be carried by a new branched pylon which can hold three missile launchers.
PL-8 (courtesy of XQS)
A J-10 pilot was checking a PL-8B IRH and a PL-11 SARH AAM before taking off. It has been rumored for a long time that Israel sold the Python-3 technology to China in the 80s, although this was never publically acknowleged by either side. The result is PL-8 (K/AKK-8?), an all-aspect IR-guided AAM distinguished by its swept tail stabilizing fins and a large warhead (11kg). Both PL-8 and the improved PL-8A have been seen carried by J-7H/D/E/G, J-8B/D/H/F and J-10 series along with the smaller PL-5E to replace the old PL-2B/PL-5B. Currently the missile is the most powerful dogfight weapon in PLAAF's arsenal until the new PL-10 enters the service (see below). A further improved version (PL-8B) was discovered in mid-2005 featuring a PL-9 style all-aspect InSb seeker. This version is already in service with PLAAF.
- Last Updated 11/9/09
PL-9C (courtesy of DWJ, QFYK, KG)
PL-9 IR-guided missile was first developed in the late 80s based on PL-8/Python-3 technology and is for export only. It has an all-aspect InSb seeker and a radio fuze. Its range is 500m minimum and 16km maximum. Speed is Mach 3.5 and load is 40g. Its forward control fins look similar to those of AIM-9L (double delta). The latest variant of PL-9 is called PL-9C with improved multi-band IR seeker and a new programmable digital processor giving it a greater IRCCM capability and higherkilling probablity. Here two PL-9C AAMs are seen being carried by a F-7PG figher to be delivered to PAF. PL-9C is expected to be the standard air-to-air weapon for the new F-7NI/BG/NM series exported to Nigirea, Bangladesh and Namibia as well.
- Last Updated 11/20/09
PL-10
PL-10 (K/AKK-10?) is the next generation IR-guided missile in the same class as AIM-9X, ASRAAM, A-Darter and IRIS-T. It features an IIR seeker and TVC, giving the missile a 90° off-boresight angle and excellent IRCCM capability against aerial target maneuvering at high-g. It also has a "lock-after-launch" capability, which could extend its range to BVR. The development of PL-10 started in 2005 and a test round was launched from the ground in November 2008.
- Last Updated 8/24/09
PL-11 (courtesy of V & d)
A PL-11 AAM carried by a J-8B was shown in an AVIC I promotional video at the 2002 Zhuhai Airshow. The development of PL-11 (K/AKK-11) medium-range semi-active radar homing AAM began in 1987 and the missile was partially based on Italian Aspide AAM (several dozen were imported back in the late 80s). The development was not completed until end of 2002 and by that time its technology was already obsolete. The missile has a range of about 60km. PL-11 is believed to be in limited service with J-8D/H/F as well as J-10, and is expected to be replaced by the new PL-12 active radar homing AAM (see below). Its export version was dubbed FD-60.
- Last Updated 11/9/09
PL-12/SD-10 (courtesy of FK, ZC, SZX)
A group of PLA Naval Aviation ground crews were preparing to load two PL-12 active radar homing AAMs onto a J-8F fighter. PL-12's export version is called SD-10 (SD-10A as the improved version) and was first revealed to the public during the 2002 Zhuhai Airshow. PL-12 (K/AKK-12?) has been under development at LETRI/607 Institute since early 90s. It was initially expected to be in the same class as AIM-120A and its active seeker may have evolved from the earlier AMR-1 design (R-129? based on Russian 9B-1348 seeker & datalink for R-77). Its tailfins appear to have fin tips as well as the leading edges of the fin root cropped. These specially designed tailfins are believed to possess lower drag for greater speed and higher torque for better maneuverability. Two datalink antennas can be seen next to the nozzle for mid-course correction. Several dielectric strips are seen along the middle warhead section which may house the radio proximity fuse. PL-12 completed its development test in December 2004 and was certified in 2005. Currently it is in the service with J-8F, J-10 and J-11B. In addition it is expected to equip JF-17/FC-1 currently entering service with PAF. Some specifications of SD-10: length 3,850mm, diameter 203mm, wing span 674mm, weight 180kg, max g-load 38g, max speed 4M, max range 70km. Recently produced PL-12 is expected to feature an improved seeker with new digital processor and SINS. The improved PL-12 (PL-12A?) is thought to be comparable to American AIM-120C4.
- Last Updated 3/3/10
PL-21 (courtesy of RF)
A new long-range AAM (PL-21?) is believed to be under development. Based on some of the PL-12 technology, PL-21 appears similar to British Meteror. It features an active radar seeker and an integrated ramjet/solid rocket motor with a single belly air intake. PL-21 also features 4 small stabilzing fins behind the active radar seeker, a characteristics of Russian R-27/AA-10. Two-way datalink antennas may be installed in the tail section for mid-course correction. The effective range of PL-21 is expected to be >100km. The missile might be carried by the new J-11B fighter for long-range interception. The latest rumor suggested that the first ground launch test took place in March 2010.
- Last Updated 4/30/10
YJ-81 (courtesy of HJMB)
YJ-81 is a typical 2nd generation ASM similar to French Exocet. The missile is powered by a solid rocket motor therefore is lighter and smaller than the earlier YJ-6/C-601 ASM powered by a liquid rocket motor. The missile also uses a monopulse active radar seeker and possesses a sea-skimming capability. Its launch altitude is 500-1,200m, cruising altitude is 20-30m (5-7m during terminal phase), cruising speed is 0.9M, and range is 8-50km. It weights 815kg and carries a 165kg warhead. YJ-81 was developed in the mid-80s based upon the basic ship-launched YJ-8 SSM (without the booster). However the missile did not enter mass production until the dedicated JH-7 fighter bomber was put into the PLAN service in the mid-90s. YJ-81 ASM is expected to be superseded by the turbojet powered YJ-83K ASM with a longer range.
- Last Updated 6/6/04
YJ-83K (courtesy of WL, LXDF & PG)
YJ-83K is a turbojet powered ASM based on the YJ-83 SSM. YJ-83K features a new frequency agile radar seeker and possesses a sea-skimming capability. It also features datalink and has a range of 180km. Its cruising altitude is 20-30m (5-7m during terminal phase), cruising speed is 0.9M. It weights 715kg and carries a 165kg warhead. YJ-83K is carried by the naval JH-7/JH-7A fighter bomber, H-6G bomber (up to 4) as well as Z-8 helicopter.
- Last Updated 5/15/09
Kh-31/YJ-91 (courtesy of FK, QFYK, LXDF)
Two Kh-31P ARMs were on static display along with other Russian made PGMs (Kh-59ME & KAB-1500KR) in front of an Su-30MKK fighter bomber. This supersonic missile is distinguished by 4 ramjet engines attached to its body which give the missile a range of 70km (or 130km at higher cruise altitude) and a speed of Mach 3.5. This anti-radiation version of Kh-31 is expected to be license producted in China as YJ-91 (KR-1?). Kh-31P can be carried by Su-30MKK, JH-7A and J-8G with a new fire-control system. The anti-ship version (Kh-31A) is believed to be carried by the newly acquired Su-30MK2. The introduction of Kh-31 and other Chinese and Russian made PGMs would enable PLAAF and PLAN to launch surgical strikes against a variety of land and sea targets.
- Last Updated 6/11/10
PL-90 (courtesy of LX, SB)
PL-90 is one of the smallest and lightest AAMs in the world developed specifically for helicopter air-defence against other helicopters and slow moving fixed-wing aircraft. It weighs 20kg and has a 3kg warhead. A total of 8 PL-90s were seen carried by a Z-9WA attack helicopter. Its length is 1,862mm, diameter 90mm, weight 20kg, range 500-6,000m, engage altitude 0-6,000m, max speed 2 Mach, max load 20g. It features a dual-band IR seeker with a good IRCCM property, giving the missile an all-aspect engage capability. It also features a laser proximity fuze as well. All these indicate PL-90 is a lethal weapon for close-range dogfight between helicopters. PL-90 appears to have been derived from shoulder-launched QW-1/2 SAM which is comparable to the American Stinger missile. Its export version was first revealed at the 1998 Zhuhai Airshow as TY-90 and PL-90 entered the service with PLA Army Aviation in 2006. The missile can be carried by Z-9W, Mi-17 and Z-10. An improved version (TY-90A?) with thickened middle and rear body section housing a bigger rocket motor to increase its speed and range was unveiled at the 2008 Zhuhai Airshow.
- Last Updated 10/24/09
R-77E (courtesy of CHINAMIL.COM.CN, FM)
As the first type of active radar-guided AAM to have entered service with PLAAF as part of the Su-30MKK's weapon package, R-77E has provided PLAAF for the first time with a real match to the AIM-120/MICA/TC-2 in service with Taiwanese AF. Its significance also lies with the development of new tactics and doctrines which allow PLAAF to engage enemy aicraft in a purely BVR and multi-target fashion, even though these tactics and doctrines will take a few more years to mature. It has been reported that R-77E can be carried by the improved Su-27UBK, J-11 as well as Navy's Su-30MK2. Some of R-77's technology was believed to have been adopted by the indigenous PL-12 (see above). At least 400 R-77E have been ordered from Russia.
- Last Updated 7/28/10
R-27ER1/ET1 (courtesy of YCHP, 007)
Several PLAAF ground crews were pushing an R-27ER1 medium-range SARH AAM to be loaded onto a J-11. R-27ER1 (AA-10C) features a larger and longer rocket motor giving the missile a max engagement range of 66km compared to the original 35km of R-27R1 being carried by Su-27SK. R-27ER1 also has a max speed of Mach 4. 124 R-27ER1/ET1 were reportedly acquired in 2000 which may be carried by the improved J-11/J-11A. This variant is expected to have an upgraded fire-control radar (N001VE) enabling the aircraft to fire R-27ER1 more than 60km away. The latest image indicated that PLAAF also acquired R-27ET1 IR-guided AAMs as well.
- Last Updated 5/11/09
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