Iris-T vs PL-15
The Iris-T and the PL-15 are both Air-to-Air missiles. The PL-15 has a range of 200 km — 8.0x the Iris-T's 25 km. The Iris-T reaches 3,704 km/h vs 6,125 km/h for the PL-15. Launch weight is 87 kg for the Iris-T vs 210 kg for the PL-15. The Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance, while the PL-15 relies on Active radar homing. The Iris-T entered service 11 years before the PL-15 (2005 vs 2016).
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 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 | 25.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 87 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg |
| Length | 2.94 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
| 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 Iris-T or PL-15?
The PL-15 has a longer range at 200 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the Iris-T or PL-15?
The PL-15 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the Iris-T's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Iris-T or PL-15?
The Iris-T carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the PL-15's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the Iris-T or PL-15?
The PL-15 is heavier at 210 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the Iris-T or PL-15?
The PL-15 is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the Iris-T and PL-15 use?
The Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance while the PL-15 uses Active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the Iris-T or PL-15?
The Iris-T entered service first in 2005, 11 years before the PL-15 which entered service in 2016.