The LY-60/FD-60/PL-10 is a family of PRC missiles developed by the Shanghai Academy of Science and Technology , largely based on the Italian Alenia Aspide missile - itself a version of the American AIM-7 Sparrow missile. There are four versions of the basic design, three of which are surface-to-air and one air-to-air.

Development

Development of the LY-60 was precipitated by the Chinese requirement for a beyond visual range (BVR) weapons system. Directly copying the AIM-7 proved unsuccessful, after which China purchased a number of Alenia Aspide missiles from Italy. Hopes of locally manufacturing hte missile under license collapsed after the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989.

Variants

The LY-60 (Lei Ying, "Falcon") is a surface-to-air missile sytem deployed by the People's Liberation Army. It entered service among air defense units begining 1994. Capable of intercepting air targets at medium and low altitudes, it sports advanced command and control features not found in any of its Western contemporaries.

The LY-60 search radar can track up to 40 targets at a time, while its tracking radar is able to track 12 targets simultaneously, and engage three targets at once. Incorporating the moving target tracking processing system as well as frequency agility technology gives the missile system excellent capability in an electronic warfare environment.

A naval version of the LY-60, designated LY-60N, is being deployed into the fleet, most conspiciously aboard Jianwei -class frigates. This naval SAM will replace the HQ61 SAM aboard the frigates, with plans to deploy them as well on Luhai -class destroyers. With greater maximum performance than HQ61 , LY-60N will enhance the air defense capability of Chinese surface combatants.

In order to the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) requirement the PL-10 (Pi Li, "Thunderbolt") air-to-air missile was developed. It is a medium range semi-active guided missile carried by Jian J-8B fighters, which most closely resemble the Aspide and the Sparrow.

Additionally, a man-portable SAM version was developed designated FY-60.

Specifications

• Length 3.69 m
• Diameter 203 mm
• Wingspan 1 m
• Weight 220 kg
• Warhead 33 kg
• Speed Mach 4
• Range AA - PL-10 60 km LY-60 18 km
• Guidance Semi-Active Radar Homing

See also

• AIM-7 Sparrow
• List of missiles