The PL-5 (霹雳-5) air-to-air missile (PL stands for Pi Li, "Thunderbolt" in Chinese, the generic designation for all PRC air-to-air missiles) is a short-range, Infrared homing missile used by Chinese fighters. It is based on AA-2 Atoll technology and resembles the AIM-9 Sidewinder.

The PL-5B is a Chinese infrared homing air-to-air missile, it was introduced in Update "Red Skies".

2023年2月7日 · PL-5B has incredible acceleration, 30 G overload, and is great for medium range attacks while still being good up close as long as you give some lead.

3 天之前 · The PL-5 air-to-air missile, a classic weapon that has been in service in the PLA Air Force for nearly 40 years, reminds people of those fierce air combat scenes.

Unlike the AIM-9L, however, the PL-5B seeker is cooled with compressed air rather than nitrogen. Compared to the earlier PL-2A, the PL-5B has compound-sweep canard foreplanes for greater maneuverability, higher speed, longer range and an improved IR seeker.

PL-7 is only better if you just look at the stat card, in practice the PL-5B is more reliable because it works in more situations.

In general, if you're within 2km, its better to have magic 1, but over that PL5B is better. You can create custom loadout and have both missiles to have best of both worlds. No clue. As far as I can tell the magic is just a better missile. The PL-5B has slightly better range but that’s about it.

Currently, a radically modified version of the PL-5E is in production, which can maneuver with an overload of up to 40 G. Known versions of this missile are: PL-5A, PL- 5B, PL-5C and PL-5E. Range: 14 km? A short-range, infrared-guided Generation 3+ missile.

The PL-5C is an improved PL-5B widely used by PLA-AF and PLA-N units. The latest PL-5E is an attempt to outperform the AIM-9L/M series, using an all aspect seeker, AIM-9L style double delta canards, a 40 degree off boresight capability, and 40G manoeuvre capability.

Chinese air-to-air missile. Has off-boresight firing capability. Series production began in 1986. Gross mass: 85 kg (187 lb). Height: 2.90 m (9.50 ft). Diameter: 0.13 m (0.43 ft). Span: 0.64 m (2.09 ft). Country: China. Agency: CATIC.