Development of the PL-12 (SD-10) began in 1997.[1] The first public information of the Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute's PL-12 – then called the SD-10 – emerged in 2001.[15] Development was assisted by
Vympel NPO and
Agat of Russia.[16] Liang Xiaogeng is believed to have been the chief designer.[17] Four successful test firings were made in 2004.[16] The missile entered
People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) service in 2005.[1]
Design
The early batches of PL-12 missiles reportedly used the 9B-1348 radar seeker designed for the
R-77 missile. The development process was assisted by Vympel NPO and Tactical Missile Corporation and benefited from Russian technology transfers.[3] But as of 2018, the PL-12 was no longer reliant on Russian components for missile production.[3]
The guidance system comprises data-linked mid-course guidance and active radar homing for terminal guidance.[3] The missile uses a Chinese rocket motor[15] and airframe.[18] The PL-12 may have a passive homing mode for use against jammers and
AEW aircraft.[15] The maximum range is estimated to be 100 kilometres (62 mi).[19]
PL-12's overall dimension is larger than
AIM-120 AMRAAM. Per PLAAF assessment, PL-12's capability sits between AIM-120B and AIM-120C, and the improved PL-12A is claimed to be comparable with the AIM-120C-4. The domestic version of the PL-12 features a variable-thrust rocket motor with a range of 70–100 kilometres (43–62 mi), while the export variant SD-10 features a reduced range of 60–70 kilometres (37–43 mi).[20] According to the
Royal United Services Institute, the range performance of PL-12 stands between AIM-120B and AIM-120C-5.[21]
NATO reporting name is CH-AA-7A.[23] Improved PL-12 with a modified seeker and digital processor. Reportedly fitted with passive mode for anti-radiation missions.[20]
SD-10A (ShanDian-10, 闪电-10)
Export version of the PL-12 with a reduced maximum launch range of 70 km.[24]
SD-10B
Enhanced SD-10A with better anti-jamming capability.[11][22]
^For Strategic Studies (Iiss), The International Institute (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge.
doi:
10.4324/9781003400226.
ISBN9781003400226. {{
cite book}}: |work= ignored (
help)
^Barrie, Douglas (9 September 2022).
"Air-to-air warfare: speed kills". Military Balance Blog. International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
Bronk, Justin (October 2020).
Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends(PDF) (Report). United Kingdom: Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.</ref>