Chinese Missiles
Chinese Air-to-Air Missiles
CAA-1
Chinese designation: PL-2/PL-3
Lenght: 2.99 m
Diameter: 0.13 m
Wingspan: 0.53 m
Launch weight: 76/82 kg
Range: 3 km
Maximum speed: Mach 2.5
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: IR
Warhead: 11.3/13.5 kg BF
Operational: In service since 1967/1980
Platforms: J-5, J-6, J-7, J-8II, Q-5
The PL-2 rear-aspect short-range AAM is a Chinese copy of the Soviet K-13/R-3 (AA-2) missile, which itself is a copy of the US AIM-9B Sidewinder. Production of the licence-built PL-2 began in 1964, and in the same year the development of an improved PL-2A missile was initiated. The PL-2A entered service in 1970. The development of the PL-2B variant with improved seeker sensitivity and better fuzing began in 1978 and it entered service in 1981. Already in 1965 work had started on the PL-3 missile that features enlarged control surfaces, improved rollerons and a new larger warhead. The PL-2 has been exported to Albania, Bangladesh, Burma, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
CAA-2
Chinese designation: PL-9
Lenght: 2.99 m
Diameter: 0.16 m
Wingspan: 0.81 m
Launch weight: 115 kg
Range: 5 km
Maximum speed: Mach 2.0
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket
Guidance: IR
Warhead: 10 kg HE
Operational: In service since 1991
Platforms: J-7, J-8
The development of the PL-9 short-range AAM began in the late 1980s based on Python 3 missile technology that Israel sold to China. The PL-9 resembles the Python 3 externally with the exception of its control surfaces. The PL-9 is a third generation infrared guided missile with all-aspect and IRCCM capacity and a ceiling of 21 kilometers. Its performance is said to be better than that of the AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and the missile can be married to a helmet-mounted sight. There is a surface-to-air version of the missile designated DK-9. The PL-9 has possibly been exported to Pakistan and Iran.
Chinese Air-to-Surface Missiles
CAS-1 "Kraken"
Chinese designation: YJ-6
Export designation: C-601
Lenght: 7.38 m
Diameter: 0.76 m
Wingspan: 2.4 m
Weight: 2,440 kg
Range: 95 km
Speed: Mach 0.9
Propulsion: Liquid-propellant rocket
Guidance: Autopilot + active-radar terminal homing
Warhead: 500 kg HE
Operational: In service since 1985
Platforms: H-6D
The YJ-6 anti-ship missile was designed to attack ships up to light cruiser class. It is very similar in appearance to the HY-2 missile from which it was developed. Design work started in 1975 and the first tests series were concluded in 1984. The monopulse terminal guidance radar is equipped with ECCM systems. The flight altitude of the missile may be set as 500, 70 or 50 meters before launch. Single-shot hit probability is 70 percent and the missile can destroy ships of up to 3,000 tons displacement. The YJ-61 (C-611) is an advanced model with high energy oxidizer and improved rocket engine that increases range to about 190 kilometers. It entered service in 1991.
Main sources:
Michael Taylor (Ed.), Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory (Brassey's, London 1995).
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