PL-15 vs R550 Magic
The PL-15 and the R550 Magic are both Air-to-Air missiles. The PL-15 has a range of 200 km — 17:1 the R550 Magic's 12 km. The PL-15 reaches 6,125 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the R550 Magic. Launch weight is 210 kg for the PL-15 vs 89 kg for the R550 Magic. The PL-15 uses Active radar homing guidance, while the R550 Magic relies on Infrared homing. The R550 Magic entered service 30 years before the PL-15 (1986 vs 2016).
| 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 |
| French air-to-air missile, entering service in 1986, utilizes infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇫🇷 France |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Matra |
| Service year | 1986 |
| Number produced | 11,300 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.1 million |
| 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 | -- |
| Range | 12.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 89 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 12.5 kg |
| Length | 2.75 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 160 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the PL-15 or R550 Magic?
The PL-15 has a longer range at 200 km compared to the R550 Magic's 12 km.
Which is faster, the PL-15 or R550 Magic?
The PL-15 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the R550 Magic's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the PL-15 or R550 Magic?
The R550 Magic carries a larger warhead at 12 kg compared to the PL-15's 0 kg.
Which is heavier, the PL-15 or R550 Magic?
The PL-15 is heavier at 210 kg compared to the R550 Magic's 89 kg.
Which is longer, the PL-15 or R550 Magic?
The PL-15 is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the R550 Magic's 2.75 meters.
What guidance systems do the PL-15 and R550 Magic use?
The PL-15 uses Active radar homing guidance while the R550 Magic uses Infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the PL-15 or R550 Magic?
The R550 Magic entered service first in 1986, 30 years before the PL-15 which entered service in 2016.