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. 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
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.[1]
Operator[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "HAL's Gamble – Will the "Advanced Hawk" break into the Export market?". 17 February 2017.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2020). "Chapter Six: Asia". The Military Balance. 120 (1): 255. doi:10.1080/04597222.2020.1707967. S2CID 219627149.