Weight 400 pounds (180 kg) | Guidancesystem Active radar | |
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Used by People's Liberation Army Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Naval Air Force Operationalrange 70–100 kilometres (43–62 mi) | ||
The PL-12 (PiLi-12, 霹雳-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.
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Development history
The first public information of the Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute's PL-12 - then called the SD-10 - emerged in 2001. Development was assisted by Vympel NPO and Agat of Russia. Liang Xiaogeng is believed to have been the chief designer. Four successful test firings were made in 2004. By 2005, the missile was also known as the PL-12.
Description
The PL-12 may use the radar and data link from the Russian R-77, or otherwise use systems benefiting from technology transfers from Russia. The missile uses a Chinese rocket motor and airframe. The PL-12 may have a passive homing mode for use against jammers and AEW aircraft.
SD-10
The SD-10 (ShanDian-10, 闪电-10) is the export version of the PL-12. There is also a SD-10B.