AIM-9 Sidewinder vs PL-12
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the PL-12 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The PL-12 has a range of 70 km — 4.1x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 4,900 km/h for the PL-12. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 180 kg for the PL-12. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the PL-12 relies on Data-linked mid-course guidance and active radar homing. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 49 years before the PL-12 (1956 vs 2005).
| 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, service entry in 2005, uses data-linked mid-course guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Medium-range air-to-air BVR missile |
| Manufacturer | Chinese State Industry |
| Service year | 2005 |
| 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 | 70.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 180 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | -- kg |
| Length | NA |
| Diameter | -- mm |
| Guidance | Data-linked mid-course guidance and active radar homing |
| Warhead type | -- |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-12?
The PL-12 has a longer range at 70 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-12?
The PL-12 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-12?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a larger warhead at 10 kg compared to the PL-12's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-12?
The PL-12 is heavier at 180 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-12?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is longer at 2.85 meters compared to the PL-12's 0.00 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and PL-12 use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the PL-12 uses Data-linked mid-course guidance and active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-12?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 49 years before the PL-12 which entered service in 2005.