Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category.
01 / Overview
PL-9
Category
Country
Production
1989–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
78
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the short-range aam (sraam / wvr) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General7MOD.7
- Missile Typeair-to-air missile
- Service Entry Year1989
- DesignerLuoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC)
- Length2.9 m
- Diameter157 mm
- Launch Weight123 kg
- In ServiceYes
◈Guidance8MOD.8
- Guidance TypeInfrared
- Seeker Typemulti-element infrared
- Fire-and-ForgetYes
- Two-Way DatalinkNo
- Top-Attack CapableNo
- Imaging Infrared SeekerNo
- Inertial / GPS GuidanceNo
- Sea-SkimmingNo
▣Propulsion5MOD.5
- Propulsion Typesolid-fuel rocket
- Motor Typesolid-fuel rocket
- Boost StageYes
- Two-StageNo
- Fuel / Propellantsolid
◇Performance6MOD.6
- Minimum Range0.8 km
- Maximum Range22 km
- Top Speed2,448 m/s
- Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
- Flight Profilehigh off-boresight, short-range intercept
- HypersonicNo
◆Warhead5MOD.5
- Warhead Typeblast-fragmentation or expanding rod
- Warhead Weight11.8 kg
- Tandem HEAT ChargeNo
- Proximity FuzeYes
- Nuclear-CapableNo
▤Launch Platform6MOD.6
- Launch PlatformAircraft, helicopter gunships, ground-launched
- Air-LaunchedYes
- Ground-LaunchedYes
- Naval-LaunchedNo
- Man-PortableNo
- Launcher Typefour-rail launcher
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Operators5
- Variants5
- Production Start1,989 year
▲Warhead Detail3MOD.3
- Detonation Mechanism / Fuzelaser proximity fuse
- Explosive Filler Weight11.8 kg
- Explosive Filler Type11.8kg blast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse)
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1989Production started
37
years in service
6
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries6country
05 / MASS Score
SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR) RANKING Short-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR) · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
10SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR)2COLD WAR · SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR)154PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA · ALL WEAPONS9PERFORMANCE/PRICE · SHORT-RANGE AAM (SRAAM / WVR)
ⓘ Rankings are within theShort-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
Capability of launching an anti-tank guided missile from an airborne platform, such as a helicopter or aircraft.
The initial propulsion phase where a high-thrust motor accelerates the missile to operational velocity.
Fire-and-forget refers to a missile guidance system where the missile guides itself to its target after launch, requiring no further input from the operator.
Launched from a ground-based platform, such as a vehicle or tripod, rather than an aircraft or other airborne system.
Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light, used in missile guidance systems to detect and track targets based on heat signatures.
A proximity fuze is a detonation mechanism in ATGMs that triggers when the missile approaches within a set distance of a target, using sensors like radar or laser to detect proximity.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources