PL-7

The PL-7 air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, "Thunderbolt" in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is the PRC version of the French Magic R.550 missile. It is a short-range, infra-red guided missile use by Chinese fighters. It was designed by Wu Shendao, and produced at the Factory 331 (Zhuzhou Aeroengine factory) (中国株洲航空发动机厂).

Specifications

 * Length - 2.74 m
 * Diameter - 157 mm
 * Wingspan - 0.66 m
 * Weight - 89 kg
 * Warhead - 12.5 kg
 * Speed - Mach 2.5
 * Range - 0.5 to 14 km
 * Guidance - IR

Operational history
During late 2000 and 2001, Zimbabwean BAE Hawks were reportedly armed with PL-7s for air escort missions against possible Ugandan MiG-21s during the their deployment in support of Laurent Kabila's government.