AIM-120 AMRAAM vs PL-9
Overview
The AIM-120 AMRAAM and the PL-9 are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a range of 105 km — 3.0x the PL-9's 35 km. The AIM-120 AMRAAM reaches 4,940 km/h vs 2,400 km/h for the PL-9. The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a 20 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the PL-9. Launch weight is 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 115 kg for the PL-9. The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance, while the PL-9 relies on Multi-element infrared.
The PL-9 entered service 2 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM (1989 vs 1991).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1991, using active radar homing for terminal guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon / Hughes |
| Service year | 1991 |
| Number produced | 14,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.1 million |
| Chinese infrared-guided air-to-air missile, entered service in 1989, has a range of 22 km. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre |
| Service year | 1989 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 105.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 161.5 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 20.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.65 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 178 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink |
| Warhead type | High explosive blast-fragmentation |
| Range | 35.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 115 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.90 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 157 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Multi-element infrared |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or PL-9?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has a longer range at 105 km compared to the PL-9's 35 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or PL-9?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the PL-9's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or PL-9?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a larger warhead at 20 kg compared to the PL-9's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or PL-9?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is heavier at 161 kg compared to the PL-9's 115 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or PL-9?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is longer at 3.65 meters compared to the PL-9's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-120 AMRAAM and PL-9 use?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance while the PL-9 uses Multi-element infrared guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or PL-9?
The PL-9 entered service first in 1989, 2 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM which entered service in 1991.