PL-8 air-to-air missile

The PL-8 (Pen Lung-8, or Air Dragon-8) air-to-air missile (AAM) is a Chinese weapon that may be a copy or license-built version of the Israeli Python 3 missile (see separate database record).

With an appearance similar to the Python 3 and U.S. Sidewinder AAM, the PL-8 has large, rectangular sweptback wings and roll stability provided by gyrostabilized rollerons.

It uses all-aspect infrared (IR) guidance, making the missile capable of head-on engagements. It may also have a...