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At a glance
Measured figures
PL-9/C
Single source2.9m (PL-9/C)[source]
Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | PL-9 | Popeye (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Mach 2+[source] | — |
| Type | Short-range air-to-air missile[source] | Air-to-surface missile SLCM[source] |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China[source] | Israel[source] |
| In service | c. 1989[source] | 1985–present[source] |
| Manufacturer |
4.82 m (15 ft 10 in)[source]
Mass
Single sourceWeight
Single source1,360 kg (3,000 lb)
Operational; DK-9, surface-to-air
Single sourceOperational; PL-9
Single sourceOperational; (PL-9C, air-to-air) >
Single source15km (PL-9) 22km (PL-9C, air-to-air) >8km (DK-9, surface-to-air)[source]
Operational; Operational range
Single sourceRange
Single source78 km (48 miles)
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC) Hanzhong Nanfeng Machine Factory Xi’an Eastern Machinery Factory[source] |
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Lockheed Martin[source] |
| Produced | 1989—present[source] | — |
|---|
| Warhead | 11.8kg blast-frag , or expanding rod (RF-fuse)[source] | 340 kg (750 lb) blast fragmentation or 360 kg (790 lb) I-800 penetrating[source] |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | laser proximity fuse[source] | — |
|---|
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket[source] | Single-stage Solid-fuel rocket[source] |
|---|
| Flight altitude | 4.5km (surface-to-air)[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | multi-element infrared[source] | Inertial plus IIR or TV[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | Aircraft, helicopter gunships, ground-launched[source] | Fixed-wing aircraft, Dolphin class submarine (Popeye Turbo SLCM)[source] |
|---|
| Used by | — | See Operators[source] |
|---|
| Designer | — | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems[source] |
|---|
| Guidance | — | Inertial plus imaging infrared or TV[source] |
|---|
| Reported operators | — |
|
|---|
1,360 kg (3,000 lb)[source]
78 km (48 mi)[source]