PL-12
Chinese medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air BVR missile From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The PL-12 (Chinese: 霹雳-12; pinyin: Pī Lì-12; lit. 'Thunderbolt-12', NATO reporting name: CH-AA-7 Adze[7][8]) 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 US AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Russian R-77.[6]
| PL-12 | |
|---|---|
A model of an export version of the PL-12, SD-10A, (bottom-left corner) with a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 on display at the Farnborough Airshow 2010. | |
| Type | Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air BVR missile |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005-present[1] |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 180 kilograms (400 lb)[2] |
| Engine | Dual thrust solid fuel rocket[3] |
Operational range | 70–100 kilometres (43–62 mi)[4][5] |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4+[3] |
Guidance system | Active radar homing[6] |
Launch platform | Aircraft |
History
Development of the PL-12 (SD-10) began in 1997.[1] The first public information of the Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute's PL-12 – then called the SD-10 – emerged in 2001.[9] Development was assisted by Vympel NPO and Agat of Russia.[10] Liang Xiaogeng is believed to have been the chief designer.[11] Four successful test firings were made in 2004.[10] The missile entered People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) service in 2005.[1]
Design
Summarize
Perspective
The early batches of PL-12 missiles reportedly used the 9B-1348 radar seeker designed for the R-77 missile. The development process was assisted by Vympel NPO and Tactical Missile Corporation and benefited from Russian technology transfers.[3] But as of 2018, the PL-12 was no longer reliant on Russian components for missile production.[3]
The guidance system comprises data-linked mid-course guidance and active radar homing for terminal guidance.[3] The missile uses a Chinese rocket motor[9] and airframe.[12] The PL-12 may have a passive homing mode for use against jammers and AEW aircraft.[9] The maximum range is estimated to be 100 kilometres (62 mi).[13]
PL-12's overall dimension is larger than AIM-120 AMRAAM. Per PLAAF assessment, PL-12's capability sits between AIM-120B and AIM-120C, and the improved PL-12A is claimed to be comparable with the AIM-120C-4. The domestic version of the PL-12 features a variable-thrust rocket motor with a range of 70–100 kilometres (43–62 mi), while the export variant SD-10 features a reduced range of 60–70 kilometres (37–43 mi).[14] According to the Royal United Services Institute, the range performance of PL-12 stands between AIM-120B and AIM-120C-5.[15]
Variants
- PL-12
- Domestic version with 60[16] to 100 km[13] range.
- PL-12A
- NATO reporting name is CH-AA-7A.[17] Improved PL-12 with a modified seeker and digital processor. Reportedly fitted with passive mode for anti-radiation missions.[14]
- PL-12C
- Variant with folded control fins, designed to fit inside the J-20 weapons bay. Did not enter service and used to develop the PL-15.[15]
- PL-12D
- Variant powered by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation[18] ramjet. Did not enter service and used to develop the PL-15.[15]
- SD-10A (ShanDian-10, 闪电-10)
- Export version of the PL-12 with a reduced maximum launch range of 37–44 miles (60–71 km).[19]
- SD-10B
- Enhanced SD-10A with better anti-jamming capability.[20][16]
- LD-10
- Anti-radiation missile based on SD-10.[21]
Operators
Current operators
- Pakistan Air Force (PAF) - 575 delivered of 750 ordered as of 2021[update][22]
- Myanmar Air Force - 24 delivered of 60 ordered as of 2021[update][23]
See also
- AAM-4 – (Japan)
- AIM-120 AMRAAM – (United States)
- R-77 – (Russia)
- TC-2 – (Taiwan)
References
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