PL-12 (SD-10) Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile

	Information

Last updated: 22 July 2007

The PL-12 (PiLi-12), also known as ShanDian-10 (SD-10) in its export name, is the active radar-homing ‘beyond-visual-range’ air-to-air missile with multiple targets engagement capability. Developed by China Air-to-Air Missile Research Academy (previously 607 Institute) of AVIC1 in Luoyang, Henan Province, the PL-12 is the first Chinese indigenous medium-range air-to-air missile (MRAAM) that has entered operational service with the PLAAF. The development of the missile may have benefited from foreign assistance.

Following the unsuccessful PL-4, PL-10 and PL-11 semi-active radar-homing MRAAM programmes, 607 Institute was asked by the PLA in the mid-1990s to develop a new advanced all-weather, day/night active radar-homing MRAAM comparable to the U.S. AIM-120 AMRAAM and Russian R-77 (NATO codename: AA-12 Adder). The PL-12 development officially began in 1997 and took seven years to complete. During a fire test carried out on 16 August 2005, a total of eleven missiles were fired, all hitting their targets. The first multi-target fire test was also carried out successfully in late 2005.

The PL-12 may have been based on the AMR-1 active radar seeker developed by 607 Institute in the late 1990s. Unconfirmed reports suggested the AMR-1 development was assisted by Russian Agat Bureau, the designer of the R-77/AA-12 MRAAM seeker. There is also report suggesting that the PL-12 contains some elements of the Israeli Derby MRAAM technology, though this cannot be confirmed. The PL-12 is powered by a Chinese-designed motor giving a maximum range of 70km and speed of Mach 4. The missile was claimed to be more manoeuvrable than the Russian R-77, and approach the U.S. AIM-120A in general performance.

The PL-12 features four delta wings, four tail fins (control surfaces), and externally mounted wiring harness cover. The specially designed “clipped” tail fins provides lower drag for greater speed and higher torque for better manoeuvrability. Two datalink antennas can be seen next to the nozzle for mid-course correction.

With its active radar seeker, the missile is “fire and forget”, without the need of continuous guidance from the carrier aircraft. This enables several missiles to be fired simultaneously at multiple targets. The missile is carried by the export FC-1 (JF-17) fighter, and the J-8F, J-10, and J-11B fighters in service with the PLA.

Specifications

Length: 3,850mm
Diameter: 203mm
Wingspan: 674mm
Launch weight: 180kg
Warhead: N/A
Propulsion: Rocket motor
Max speed: Mach 4
Max range: 50~70km
Guidance mode: Inertial + mid-course correction + terminal active radar
G Limit: 38g

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