Missile PL-10 (CH-AA-9)

Development of the PL-10, designated CH-AA-9 by NATO, began in 2004. Formerly identified as the PL-ASR, the missile design was approved in 2010. Production commenced in 2013, and the system entered service in 2015.

The PL-10 is a short-range air-to-air missile utilizing a thrust-vector controlled solid-propellant rocket motor and free-moving tail control wings. This configuration enables turn capabilities exceeding 60Gs and high angles of attack. The guidance system primarily employs a multi-element imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, though a variant featuring a miniature active radar seeker and a modified radome was first observed in 2022. The IIR seeker provides all-aspect targeting and resistance to electronic countermeasures, with a tracking capability of +/- 90 degrees off boresight. The system supports lock-on after launch (LOAL) via datalink and can be slaved to a helmet-mounted display (HMD) for targeting visually sighted objects outside the aircraft's radar scan envelope. The missile carries either a blast-fragmentation or expanding rod warhead, utilizing a detonation mechanism consisting of an impact and laser proximity fuze.

The missile is in service with the People's Republic of China. An export variant, designated PL-10E, was developed for the international market, with Pakistan identified as a potential operator for the JF-17 Block III program.

🇨🇳 China • 🇵🇰 Pakistan