The PL-5 (é¹é³-5) air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, "Thunderbolt" in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is a short-range, Infrared homing missile used by Chinese fighters. It is based on AA-2 Atoll technology and resembles the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The PL-5 was designed and developed at China's Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC), also known as Institute 612; its design team members included Chen Jiali (éÂÂ家礼), Dong Chunfeng, Hu Rongchao (è¡è£趠), Huang Bin, Zhang Ming (å¼ æÂÂ), and Zheng Zhiwei (éÂÂå¿Âä¼Â). It was reportedly produced at the Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory (also known as the Hanzhong Air-to-Air Missile Factory) of the China Aviation Industry Corporation I.
The PL-5 have been continuously upgraded by Luoyang and the latest variant, the PL-5EII, added a dual band, multi-element detector as well as a laser proximity fuse similar to the PL-9. According to the Chinese export/import agency CATIC, the PL5E has an all-aspect capability with the seeker having a maximum off boresight angle of ñ25ð before launch, and ñ40ð after launch.
PLAAF J-10 and J-11 fighter jets mainly use the PL-8 missile, stealth fighters such as the J-20 and J-35 use the PL-10, which are more advanced short-range air-to-air missiles when compared to the PL-5. However, due to greater weight and dimensions of the PL-8 and PL-10 missiles, for F-7 and JH-7, the PL-5, PL-7 and PL-9 are still the preferable air-to-air missile at this stage.