PL-7

Description

The PL-7 (Chinese: 霹雳-7), a reverse-engineered version of R.550 Magic 1 obtained from Pakistan, is a IR AAM exclusively for Mainland China's export jets and introduced into the game in Update "Apex Predators".

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• J-7D

General info

Missile characteristics
Mass	89 kg
Guidance	IR
Aspect	Rear-Aspect
Lock range in rear-aspect	5.5 km
Launch range	10 km
Maximum speed	3 M
Maximum overload	35 G
Missile guidance time	25 secs
Explosive mass (TNT eq.)	9.6 kg

The overall performance and appearance of PL-7 is exactly like Magic 1 as it was reverse engineered version of the latter; all the characteristics of Magic 1 is retained on PL-7; players of A-5C or French jets will soon find themselves home.

Effective damage

The 6 kg of HBX (at 9.6 kg TNT equivalent) can make sure the missile can do short work on enemy aircrafts with its explosive content and shrapnel upon explosion; even if the missile didn't hit the target dead-on, proximity fuse will make sure the target will have a hard time returning to base.

Comparison with analogues

• Matra R550 Magic 1 - the missile that PL-7 based on, shared the exact same performance.
• AIM-9G - One of the most maneuverable missile in US service, having impressive burn time while lacking in close range combats.
• PL-5B - Chinese domestic IR AAM with impressive thrust and slightly less overload.
• R-60 - Soviet IR AAM with excellent close-range maneuverability but lacks the range for farther targets.

Usage in battles

Like its French brother, PL-7 retained all the characteristics of a Magic 1: its high overload and combat capability within 2.5km. If players have already been used to Magics on French jets, the combination of Warsaw-Pact/Chinese jets and NATO weapon will give an unique experience, what lacks on Soviet jets (such as Fishbeds) are reliable IR AAMs for longer ranges (albeit compensated by their impressive maneuverability); PL-7 said otherwise, in most cases, if the enemy didn't notice Magic 1 or the missile didn't fooled by the flares, PL-7 will make sure the enemy meets their end quickly with its 35G overload after launch.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Rather high overload for IR AAM
• Radar slaving that enhance its accuracy on targets
• Unlimited overload on launching

Cons:

• Prone to flares
• Less effective when launched at close distance

History

Pakistan has introduced R.550 Magic alongside with their batches of Mirages 5 in 1979; under unknown circumstance, likely for a budget alternative to Magics due to the incapable of PAF to locally produce new missiles, or the needs for Jordan's F-7M where they also utilize Magic 1 as they have imported them in 1979 as well, Mainland China acquired some Magics around early 1980s. The reverse-engineer of the missile started on March 1982 and produced by Factory 331 (now AECC South Industry), the new PL-7 missile was then produced in 1985 and passed for certification by April 1987.

Due to its compatibility on both exported PLAAF jets or French jets, some countries such as Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh acquired PL-7 for their jet fighters while PLAAF opted for PL-8 (licensed Rafael Python 3) with excellent performance instead. Most of these countries opted for later PL-5EII as their new missiles, as well as new jets that would eventually replace the launch platforms of PL-7; only Iran was known to equipped these missiles in service as of late 2010s.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

• Matra R550 Magic 1 - the missile that PL-7 based on, shared the exact same performance.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.