PL-7

An Iranian PL-7 (right)

The PL-7 (Chinese: 霹雳-7; pinyin: Pī Lì-7; lit. 'Thunderbolt-7') is the PRC version of the French Magic R.550 air-to-air missile. It is a short-range, Infrared homing missile used by Chinese fighters.[1] 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.[2]

Operator

 Bangladesh
 People's Republic of China
 Iran

References

  1. ^ Duncan, Lennox; Hewson, Robert (2001). Jane’s Air launched Weapons, Edition 2001. United Kingdom: Jane’s Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-0866-6.
  2. ^ "HAL's Gamble – Will the "Advanced Hawk" break into the Export market?". 17 February 2017.
  3. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). "Chapter Six: Asia". The Military Balance. 120 (1): 255. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707967. S2CID 219627149.
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