AIM-9 Sidewinder vs PL-9
Overview
The AIM-9 Sidewinder and the PL-9 are both Air-to-Air missiles.
The PL-9 has a range of 35 km — 2.1x the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km. The AIM-9 Sidewinder reaches 3,087 km/h vs 2,400 km/h for the PL-9. The AIM-9 Sidewinder carries a 10.2 kg warhead vs 11 kg for the PL-9. Launch weight is 85 kg for the AIM-9 Sidewinder vs 115 kg for the PL-9. The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance, while the PL-9 relies on Multi-element infrared.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service 33 years before the PL-9 (1956 vs 1989).
| 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 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 | 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 | 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
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-9?
The PL-9 has a longer range at 35 km compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 17 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-9?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 compared to the PL-9's Mach 2.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-9?
The PL-9 carries a larger warhead at 11 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-9?
The PL-9 is heavier at 115 kg compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 85 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-9?
The PL-9 is longer at 2.90 meters compared to the AIM-9 Sidewinder's 2.85 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-9 Sidewinder and PL-9 use?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder uses Imaging infrared homing focal plane array guidance while the PL-9 uses Multi-element infrared guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-9 Sidewinder or PL-9?
The AIM-9 Sidewinder entered service first in 1956, 33 years before the PL-9 which entered service in 1989.