Iris-T vs PL-9
The Iris-T and the PL-9 are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 25 km for the Iris-T vs 35 km for the PL-9. The Iris-T reaches 3,704 km/h vs 2,400 km/h for the PL-9. The Iris-T carries a 11.5 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the PL-9. Launch weight is 87 kg for the Iris-T vs 115 kg for the PL-9. The Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance, while the PL-9 relies on Multi-element infrared. The PL-9 entered service 16 years before the Iris-T (1989 vs 2005).
| 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 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 | 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 | 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the Iris-T or PL-9?
The PL-9 has a longer range at 35 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the Iris-T or PL-9?
The Iris-T is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 3.0 compared to the PL-9's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the Iris-T or PL-9?
The Iris-T carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the PL-9's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the Iris-T or PL-9?
The PL-9 is heavier at 115 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the Iris-T or PL-9?
The Iris-T is longer at 2.94 meters compared to the PL-9's 2.90 meters.
What guidance systems do the Iris-T and PL-9 use?
The Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance while the PL-9 uses Multi-element infrared guidance.
Which entered service first, the Iris-T or PL-9?
The PL-9 entered service first in 1989, 16 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.