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The PL-9 (Chinese: 霹雳-9; pinyin: Pī Lì-9; lit. 'Thunderbolt-9') is a short-range, infrared-homing air-to-air missile (AAM) developed by the People's Republic of China.

History

The PL-9 program was initiated in 1986. The missile entered batch production in 1989. Two improved variants, PL-9B and PL-9C, was certified in 1992 and 2002. The latest version of the PL-9 is PL-9D.

The missile was originally designed by Dong Bingyin (董秉印) at the Luoyang Electro Optical Center, which is also known as Institute 612 and renamed in 2002 as the China Air-to-Air Guided Missile Research Institute (中国空空导弹研究院). After Dong Bingyin died, his position was succeeded by Mr. Jin Xianzhong (金先仲). The deputy general designer of PL-9 is the same deputy general designer of PL-12, Dr. Liang Xiaogeng (梁晓庚).

The PL-9C is one of the later versions of the PL-9, which also has a surface-to-air variant (DK-9). The PL-9C tactical low-altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM) was first revealed during the 1989 Paris Air Show. The launch unit is available in both towed and self-propelled arrangements. The self-propelled version has a launch complex consisting four-rail launcher and the associated target acquisition and radar and electro-optical director mounted on a 6X6 WZ551 armored personnel carrier (APC). The towed version has a four-rail launcher mounted on a four-wheel carriage. The launch unit is supported by a range of truck-mounted ground equipment for maintenance and missile testing.

Design

The PL-9 utilizes the airframe modified from the PL-5 and PL-7 missile. The seeker head is fitted with sensors from PL-8 and Python-3 missile. The missile is fitted with a cryogenic liquid nitrogen gas-cooled IR seeker capable of +/-40 degree off boresight angles. Flight control is by long span pointed delta fins at the front of the missile with Sidewinder-type slipstream driven rollerons on the aft tail fin surfaces to prevent roll and so enhance the operation of the guidance system. The missile has a maximum effective range of 35 km , although a hit at such a range is unlikely, as maximum effective range calculations tend to assume a meeting engagement against a target flying at high altitude straight at the missile, minimizing the range the missile itself needs to cover. The single-shot hit probability for a single missile launch at an approaching target is 90%. The missile can be used at a stand-alone system, or as a part of the Type 390 (DK-9) brigade (regiment)-level combined AAA/SAM air defence system. The missile entered production in 1991 and saw limited service with the PLA ground forces.

Variants

PL-9

PL-9B

PL-9C

PL-9D

DK-9

PL-9 modified surface-to-air missile.

Operators

Current operators

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 Bangladesh

• Bangladesh Air Force (BAF)

 Namibia

• Namibian Air Force

 Nigeria

• Nigerian Air Force

 Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force (PAF)

 People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force
• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

See also

• PL-5
• PL-7
• PL-8
• PL-10

References

Citations

1. "PL-9". Deagel.com. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
2. Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 16-19.
3. Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 36.
4. "PL-9 DK-9". globalsecurity.
5. "Trade-Register-1971-2018.rft". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
6. Cooper et al. 2011, p. 73
7. Cooper et al. 2011, p. 94

Bibliography

• Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter; Hinz, Fabian; Lepko, Mark (2011). African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe. Houston: Harpia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9825539-8-5.
• Wood, Peter; Yang, David; Cliff, Roger (November 2020). Air-to-Air Missiles: Capabilities And Development In China (PDF). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. ISBN 9798574996270.

External links

• Chinese Defence Today
• Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre PL-9C

• Air-to-air missiles of the People's Republic of China
• Surface-to-air missiles of the People's Republic of China
• Short range air-to-air missiles