PL-5

The PL-5 (霹雳-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 2nd and 3rd generation fighters and jet trainers. It is an upgraded version of the PL-2, which is based on Vympel K-13 (AA-2 "Atoll") technology that resembles the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The PLAAF's latest-generation non-stealth fighters like the J-10 and J-11 mainly use PL-8B and PL-10 missiles, while stealth fighters like the J-20 and J-35 rely exclusively on the PL-10 for short-range engagements. These models are more advanced short-range air-to-air missiles than the PL-5. However, due to the greater weight and dimensions of the PL-8 and PL-10 missiles, the PL-5, PL-7, and PL-9 are still the preferable air-to-air missiles for the F-7 at this stage.
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 (陈家礼), Dong Chunfeng, Hu Rongchao (胡荣超), Huang Bin, Zhang Ming (张明), and Zheng Zhiwei (郑志伟). It was reportedly produced at the Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory (also...