AIM-9 Sidewinder vs PL-10
Overview
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the PL-10 are both Air-to-Air missiles.
Range is 17 km for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 22 km for the PL-10. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,939 km/h for the PL-10. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 33 kg for the PL-10. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 220 kg for the PL-10. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the PL-10 relies on Miniature active radar.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 59 years before the PL-10 (1956 vs 2015).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1956, uses infrared homing to track its target. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1956 |
| Number produced | 110,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.4 million |
| Chinese air-to-air missile, entered service in 2015, guided by miniature active radar. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC) |
| Service year | 2015 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 17.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 85 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 10.2 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.85 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing focal plane array |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 22.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 220 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 33.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.69 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Miniature active radar |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
Loading analysis...
Generating comparison analysis...
Unable to generate comparison at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-10?
The PL-10 has a longer range at 22 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-10?
The PL-10 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.0 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-10?
The PL-10 carries a larger warhead at 33 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-10?
The PL-10 is heavier at 220 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-10?
The PL-10 is longer at 3.69 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and PL-10 use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the PL-10 uses Miniature active radar guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-10?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 59 years before the PL-10 which entered service in 2015.