AIM-9 Sidewinder vs PL-15
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the PL-15 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The PL-15 has a range of 200 km — 12:1 the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 6,125 km/h for the PL-15. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 210 kg for the PL-15. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the PL-15 relies on Active radar homing. The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 60 years before the PL-15 (1956 vs 2016).
| 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 2016, guided by active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA) |
| Service year | 2016 |
| 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 | 200.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 210 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | -- kg |
| Length | 4.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 203 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Active radar homing |
| Warhead type | -- |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-15?
The PL-15 has a longer range at 200 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-15?
The PL-15 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's Mach 2.5.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-15?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a larger warhead at 10 kg compared to the PL-15's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-15?
The PL-15 is heavier at 210 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-15?
The PL-15 is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and PL-15 use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the PL-15 uses Active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-15?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 60 years before the PL-15 which entered service in 2016.