War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

PL-8

2023-11-06T13:42:53Z

U63158710: added jh-7a

== Description ==
The PL-8 (霹雳-8型空对空导弹) is one of the main IR AAM currently in PLAAF service alongside with the older PL-5C/E series and PL-10. The missile itself is the result of licensed production of [[Python 3]] (commonly known as 怪蛇-3 in Mainland China) from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems after seeing its outstanding performance on shooting down Lebanese jets (most notably, MiG-23S which was the intended foe of J-8II series which was still under development); the licensing of Python 3 was made in 1983 as the Project No.8 (八号工程) and passed for commission in 1986. The technologies from this missile also been used on other domestic IR AAMs like PL-9 and PL-8 itself has already been completely produced locally with some upgrades in later batches of missiles.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|j_8f}}
* {{Specs-Link|jh_7a}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''

=== Effective damage ===
PL-8 with 5 kg of HBX filler has around 8 kg TNTe will produce both explosion and shrapnel damage to enemy aircrafts, penetrating airframes or blowing off parts off the aircraft.

=== Comparison with analogues ===
[[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] - US/NATO standard IR AAM with very long guidance time; while having lesser overload, head-on range and explosive content.

[[R-73]] - Soviet IR AAM with identical overload; while having lesser explosive content and shorter combat radius.

[[Matra R550 Magic 2|Magic-2]] - French standard IR AAM with higher explosive content, slight more guidance time and flies faster; while having slightly less overload but identical head-on range.

== Usage in battles ==
As PLAAF/PLANAF's missile of choice since late 1980s, PL-8 featured identical performance to its Israeli ancestor i.e. its high speed, overload and combat radius. Thanks to the immersive thrust of the missile, enemies within 3 km will have to be extra careful on PL-8 as the missile will hit them faster than other IR AAMs of its tier; sometimes even targets at more than 5 km would still fall victim to the missile (at high altitude with less drag). If the carrier has HMD installed, it can also achieve off-bore lock-on against enemy aircrafts and further enhancing its combat capabilities to change the target swiftly. Do remember that like many other IR AAMs, PL-8 doesn't have sufficient overload during its launch to lock onto targets within a kilometer, so only use them against targets with some distance, especially those who depleted their energy or careless.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* One of the fastest IR AAM in game (tied with Soviet R-23/24/27T series at Mach 3.5)
* Rather high explosive content for confirm kills
* One of the highest overload along IR AAMs (tied with Soviet R-73)
* Long combat radius

*

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively heavy to its NATO/Warsaw Pact counterparts

*

== History ==
Due to the instability in politics between 1960s and 1970s, Mainland China has already lagged behind the mainstream of AAM and the "new" PL-5 series have yet to got the certifications for commission (which passed in 1986, '''2 decades''' after its development); meanwhile, Chinese engineers and military officials kept their eyes on the development of aerial combats as new SARH and IR AAM were commonplace by the late 1970s. As the world entered the 8th decade of 20th Century, the 1982 Lebanon War between Lebanon and Israel shook PLAAF officials as IAF achieved 82 (up to 86):0 ratio against Lebanese and Syrian jet fighters thanks to their more advanced tactics, jets and most of all, their trump card on Israeli's hand: Rafael Python 3 missiles.

Thanks to the improving relationships with western countries, PLAAF officials proposed for the import of the production line of Python 3 and 1500 missiles at a total of US$500 million to further boost domestic missile technologies. The new missile, now under the Project No.8 (八号工程) and later PL-8 started its domestic production and tests since 1983; due to the heavy weight of the missile, the J-7II testbed with 2 PL-8 installed often has engine flameout and flight instability after launch. After the suggestions from the chief test pilot to adjust flight attitude '''after''' the missile left the rail before structural modifications were done to J-7, PL-8 eventually joined PLAAF by 1986 as the most advanced IR AAM for the air force before the introduction of R-73 from Su-27SK and future domestic missiles after 1990s. The missile becomes an icon of PLAAF and PLANAF, especially for J-11/15/16 which are the only Flankers using Python 3/PL-8.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

* [[Python 3]] - its technological ancestor
* [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] - the most advanced NATO/US allies IR AAM at its era
* [[R-73]] - advanced Soviet IR AAM which would be introduced to PLAAF by 1990s
* [[Matra R550 Magic 2]] - French IR AAM which would also be used by ROCAF alongside with their Mirage 2000-5 series

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

PL-8

2023-11-06T13:42:06Z

U63158710: Undo revision 176406 by U63158710 (talk)

== Description ==
The PL-8 (霹雳-8型空对空导弹) is one of the main IR AAM currently in PLAAF service alongside with the older PL-5C/E series and PL-10. The missile itself is the result of licensed production of [[Python 3]] (commonly known as 怪蛇-3 in Mainland China) from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems after seeing its outstanding performance on shooting down Lebanese jets (most notably, MiG-23S which was the intended foe of J-8II series which was still under development); the licensing of Python 3 was made in 1983 as the Project No.8 (八号工程) and passed for commission in 1986. The technologies from this missile also been used on other domestic IR AAMs like PL-9 and PL-8 itself has already been completely produced locally with some upgrades in later batches of missiles.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|j_8f}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''

=== Effective damage ===
PL-8 with 5 kg of HBX filler has around 8 kg TNTe will produce both explosion and shrapnel damage to enemy aircrafts, penetrating airframes or blowing off parts off the aircraft.

=== Comparison with analogues ===
[[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] - US/NATO standard IR AAM with very long guidance time; while having lesser overload, head-on range and explosive content.

[[R-73]] - Soviet IR AAM with identical overload; while having lesser explosive content and shorter combat radius.

[[Matra R550 Magic 2|Magic-2]] - French standard IR AAM with higher explosive content, slight more guidance time and flies faster; while having slightly less overload but identical head-on range.

== Usage in battles ==
As PLAAF/PLANAF's missile of choice since late 1980s, PL-8 featured identical performance to its Israeli ancestor i.e. its high speed, overload and combat radius. Thanks to the immersive thrust of the missile, enemies within 3 km will have to be extra careful on PL-8 as the missile will hit them faster than other IR AAMs of its tier; sometimes even targets at more than 5 km would still fall victim to the missile (at high altitude with less drag). If the carrier has HMD installed, it can also achieve off-bore lock-on against enemy aircrafts and further enhancing its combat capabilities to change the target swiftly. Do remember that like many other IR AAMs, PL-8 doesn't have sufficient overload during its launch to lock onto targets within a kilometer, so only use them against targets with some distance, especially those who depleted their energy or careless.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* One of the fastest IR AAM in game (tied with Soviet R-23/24/27T series at Mach 3.5)
* Rather high explosive content for confirm kills
* One of the highest overload along IR AAMs (tied with Soviet R-73)
* Long combat radius

*

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively heavy to its NATO/Warsaw Pact counterparts

*

== History ==
Due to the instability in politics between 1960s and 1970s, Mainland China has already lagged behind the mainstream of AAM and the "new" PL-5 series have yet to got the certifications for commission (which passed in 1986, '''2 decades''' after its development); meanwhile, Chinese engineers and military officials kept their eyes on the development of aerial combats as new SARH and IR AAM were commonplace by the late 1970s. As the world entered the 8th decade of 20th Century, the 1982 Lebanon War between Lebanon and Israel shook PLAAF officials as IAF achieved 82 (up to 86):0 ratio against Lebanese and Syrian jet fighters thanks to their more advanced tactics, jets and most of all, their trump card on Israeli's hand: Rafael Python 3 missiles.

Thanks to the improving relationships with western countries, PLAAF officials proposed for the import of the production line of Python 3 and 1500 missiles at a total of US$500 million to further boost domestic missile technologies. The new missile, now under the Project No.8 (八号工程) and later PL-8 started its domestic production and tests since 1983; due to the heavy weight of the missile, the J-7II testbed with 2 PL-8 installed often has engine flameout and flight instability after launch. After the suggestions from the chief test pilot to adjust flight attitude '''after''' the missile left the rail before structural modifications were done to J-7, PL-8 eventually joined PLAAF by 1986 as the most advanced IR AAM for the air force before the introduction of R-73 from Su-27SK and future domestic missiles after 1990s. The missile becomes an icon of PLAAF and PLANAF, especially for J-11/15/16 which are the only Flankers using Python 3/PL-8.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

* [[Python 3]] - its technological ancestor
* [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] - the most advanced NATO/US allies IR AAM at its era
* [[R-73]] - advanced Soviet IR AAM which would be introduced to PLAAF by 1990s
* [[Matra R550 Magic 2]] - French IR AAM which would also be used by ROCAF alongside with their Mirage 2000-5 series

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

PL-8

2023-11-06T13:41:20Z

U63158710: /* Vehicles equipped with this weapon */ Added JH-7A

== Description ==
The PL-8 (霹雳-8型空对空导弹) is one of the main IR AAM currently in PLAAF service alongside with the older PL-5C/E series and PL-10. The missile itself is the result of licensed production of [[Python 3]] (commonly known as 怪蛇-3 in Mainland China) from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems after seeing its outstanding performance on shooting down Lebanese jets (most notably, MiG-23S which was the intended foe of J-8II series which was still under development); the licensing of Python 3 was made in 1983 as the Project No.8 (八号工程) and passed for commission in 1986. The technologies from this missile also been used on other domestic IR AAMs like PL-9 and PL-8 itself has already been completely produced locally with some upgrades in later batches of missiles.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|j_8f}}
* {{Specs-Card
|code=jh_7a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''

=== Effective damage ===
PL-8 with 5 kg of HBX filler has around 8 kg TNTe will produce both explosion and shrapnel damage to enemy aircrafts, penetrating airframes or blowing off parts off the aircraft.

=== Comparison with analogues ===
[[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] - US/NATO standard IR AAM with very long guidance time; while having lesser overload, head-on range and explosive content.

[[R-73]] - Soviet IR AAM with identical overload; while having lesser explosive content and shorter combat radius.

[[Matra R550 Magic 2|Magic-2]] - French standard IR AAM with higher explosive content, slight more guidance time and flies faster; while having slightly less overload but identical head-on range.

== Usage in battles ==
As PLAAF/PLANAF's missile of choice since late 1980s, PL-8 featured identical performance to its Israeli ancestor i.e. its high speed, overload and combat radius. Thanks to the immersive thrust of the missile, enemies within 3 km will have to be extra careful on PL-8 as the missile will hit them faster than other IR AAMs of its tier; sometimes even targets at more than 5 km would still fall victim to the missile (at high altitude with less drag). If the carrier has HMD installed, it can also achieve off-bore lock-on against enemy aircrafts and further enhancing its combat capabilities to change the target swiftly. Do remember that like many other IR AAMs, PL-8 doesn't have sufficient overload during its launch to lock onto targets within a kilometer, so only use them against targets with some distance, especially those who depleted their energy or careless.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* One of the fastest IR AAM in game (tied with Soviet R-23/24/27T series at Mach 3.5)
* Rather high explosive content for confirm kills
* One of the highest overload along IR AAMs (tied with Soviet R-73)
* Long combat radius

*

'''Cons:'''

* Relatively heavy to its NATO/Warsaw Pact counterparts

*

== History ==
Due to the instability in politics between 1960s and 1970s, Mainland China has already lagged behind the mainstream of AAM and the "new" PL-5 series have yet to got the certifications for commission (which passed in 1986, '''2 decades''' after its development); meanwhile, Chinese engineers and military officials kept their eyes on the development of aerial combats as new SARH and IR AAM were commonplace by the late 1970s. As the world entered the 8th decade of 20th Century, the 1982 Lebanon War between Lebanon and Israel shook PLAAF officials as IAF achieved 82 (up to 86):0 ratio against Lebanese and Syrian jet fighters thanks to their more advanced tactics, jets and most of all, their trump card on Israeli's hand: Rafael Python 3 missiles.

Thanks to the improving relationships with western countries, PLAAF officials proposed for the import of the production line of Python 3 and 1500 missiles at a total of US$500 million to further boost domestic missile technologies. The new missile, now under the Project No.8 (八号工程) and later PL-8 started its domestic production and tests since 1983; due to the heavy weight of the missile, the J-7II testbed with 2 PL-8 installed often has engine flameout and flight instability after launch. After the suggestions from the chief test pilot to adjust flight attitude '''after''' the missile left the rail before structural modifications were done to J-7, PL-8 eventually joined PLAAF by 1986 as the most advanced IR AAM for the air force before the introduction of R-73 from Su-27SK and future domestic missiles after 1990s. The missile becomes an icon of PLAAF and PLANAF, especially for J-11/15/16 which are the only Flankers using Python 3/PL-8.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

* [[Python 3]] - its technological ancestor
* [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] - the most advanced NATO/US allies IR AAM at its era
* [[R-73]] - advanced Soviet IR AAM which would be introduced to PLAAF by 1990s
* [[Matra R550 Magic 2]] - French IR AAM which would also be used by ROCAF alongside with their Mirage 2000-5 series

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

PL-5B

2023-11-06T13:40:23Z

U63158710: /* Vehicles equipped with this weapon */ corrected specs-link

== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage PL-5B.png|thumb|left|420px|The PL-5B missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a Chinese [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|j_7d}}
* {{Specs-Link|j_7e}}
* {{Specs-Link|j_8b}}
* {{Specs-Link|jh_7a}}

== General info ==

As a domestic heat-seeker AAM developed by the PRC by Institute 612, Ministry of Aviation Industry (now Luoyang Electro-optics Technology Development Centre), the PL-5 was a vast improvement over the previous model, the [[PL-2]], with a higher tracking rate and overload.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84.5 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-aspect
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 23 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 7.62 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

The warhead of PL-5B was filled with 4.76 kg of HBX, equivalent to 7.62 kg of TNT, and comes with a proximity fuse that helps to blast enemy aircraft into pieces.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

At the same tier, the AIM-9J and the AIM-9P are very common and the PL-5B in many ways is similar to them in terms of explosive mass and overload, its acceleration speed is a two-bladed sword- on one hand, it caused overshoot due to its immense acceleration to top speed in merely a second; on the other hand, this acceleration also helped to shoot down enemies who had bailed from their manoeuvre, they would have a hard time dodging a missile travelling at Mach 2.2.

== Usage in battles ==

PL-5Bs can be used in 3 ways: surprising the enemy, using it as a dogfight missile due to its surprising off-boresight capabilities and long-range snipes. Due to its massive acceleration, the PL-5B can reach a higher top speed than conventional missiles at lower altitudes. For example, whereas an AIM-9P/9J would take 3 to 4 seconds to reach its target from 2 km on the deck at high speeds, the PL-5 covers this same distance in less than 2 seconds. The missile can track targets at around 1.5 km (anywhere closer will drastically decrease the odds to payback on your foe), so surprising enemies who just missed their shots upon you or those who are chasing teammates and didn't pay enough attention to your existence is suggested to maximize PL-5B; alternatively, the immense acceleration and speed also means PL-5B can even surprise targets at even up to 6 km given the missile does constantly tracking on your designated target.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Higher explosive mass among the same tier IR AAMs that can make short work of enemies
* Excellent 30G overload
* Missile without launch overload limits such as AIM-9G and SRAAM
* Immense acceleration
* Higher range than most conventional IR missiles except the AIM-9D/G
* Short burntime while retaining very long range

'''Cons:'''

* Somewhat sensitive to the sun and flares

== History ==

In the late 1960s, as the PL-2 was already deemed obsolete, the need for new SARH and IR missiles arose alongside the ongoing new interceptor projects. Both PL-3 and PL-5 had separate SARH (PL-5A [甲]) and IR (PL-5B [乙]) designs using the same missile airframe. Development started on both projects in April 1966, and the PL-5B had better progress by the late 1960s when it could already start its ground and airborne tests. Although the PL-5B had already completed its required tests by the 1970s, the Cultural Revolution hindered its further certifications and it would only enter PLAAF service by September 1986, while the PL-5A was cancelled in 1983 during budget cuts in the early times of economic reform.

Soon after the certification of PL-5B, the limited-all-aspect PL-5C and later PL-5E entered PLAAF service in the early 1990s alongside new domestic jets. The final version of the PL-5, named PL-5EII with a new IR seeker and up to 40G overload, entered service as the replacement of earlier missiles and was used by the JH-7A and the export JF-17 (FC-1) Thunder.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

PL-5B

2023-11-06T13:39:40Z

U63158710: Added the JH-7A to the list of vehicles that can equip this missile.

== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage PL-5B.png|thumb|left|420px|The PL-5B missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a Chinese [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update "Red Skies"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|j_7d}}
* {{Specs-Link|j_7e}}
* {{Specs-Link|j_8b}}
* {{Specs-Link|JH-7A}}

== General info ==

As a domestic heat-seeker AAM developed by the PRC by Institute 612, Ministry of Aviation Industry (now Luoyang Electro-optics Technology Development Centre), the PL-5 was a vast improvement over the previous model, the [[PL-2]], with a higher tracking rate and overload.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84.5 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || Rear-aspect
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 23 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 7.62 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===

The warhead of PL-5B was filled with 4.76 kg of HBX, equivalent to 7.62 kg of TNT, and comes with a proximity fuse that helps to blast enemy aircraft into pieces.

=== Comparison with analogues ===

At the same tier, the AIM-9J and the AIM-9P are very common and the PL-5B in many ways is similar to them in terms of explosive mass and overload, its acceleration speed is a two-bladed sword- on one hand, it caused overshoot due to its immense acceleration to top speed in merely a second; on the other hand, this acceleration also helped to shoot down enemies who had bailed from their manoeuvre, they would have a hard time dodging a missile travelling at Mach 2.2.

== Usage in battles ==

PL-5Bs can be used in 3 ways: surprising the enemy, using it as a dogfight missile due to its surprising off-boresight capabilities and long-range snipes. Due to its massive acceleration, the PL-5B can reach a higher top speed than conventional missiles at lower altitudes. For example, whereas an AIM-9P/9J would take 3 to 4 seconds to reach its target from 2 km on the deck at high speeds, the PL-5 covers this same distance in less than 2 seconds. The missile can track targets at around 1.5 km (anywhere closer will drastically decrease the odds to payback on your foe), so surprising enemies who just missed their shots upon you or those who are chasing teammates and didn't pay enough attention to your existence is suggested to maximize PL-5B; alternatively, the immense acceleration and speed also means PL-5B can even surprise targets at even up to 6 km given the missile does constantly tracking on your designated target.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Higher explosive mass among the same tier IR AAMs that can make short work of enemies
* Excellent 30G overload
* Missile without launch overload limits such as AIM-9G and SRAAM
* Immense acceleration
* Higher range than most conventional IR missiles except the AIM-9D/G
* Short burntime while retaining very long range

'''Cons:'''

* Somewhat sensitive to the sun and flares

== History ==

In the late 1960s, as the PL-2 was already deemed obsolete, the need for new SARH and IR missiles arose alongside the ongoing new interceptor projects. Both PL-3 and PL-5 had separate SARH (PL-5A [甲]) and IR (PL-5B [乙]) designs using the same missile airframe. Development started on both projects in April 1966, and the PL-5B had better progress by the late 1960s when it could already start its ground and airborne tests. Although the PL-5B had already completed its required tests by the 1970s, the Cultural Revolution hindered its further certifications and it would only enter PLAAF service by September 1986, while the PL-5A was cancelled in 1983 during budget cuts in the early times of economic reform.

Soon after the certification of PL-5B, the limited-all-aspect PL-5C and later PL-5E entered PLAAF service in the early 1990s alongside new domestic jets. The final version of the PL-5, named PL-5EII with a new IR seeker and up to 40G overload, entered service as the replacement of earlier missiles and was used by the JH-7A and the export JF-17 (FC-1) Thunder.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]