The PL-7 () is the PRC version of the French Magic R.550 air-to-air missile. It is a short-range, Infrared homing missile used by Chinese fighters. It was designed by Wu Shendao, and produced at the Factory 331 (Zhuzhou Aeroengine factory) (中国株洲航空发动机厂). Specifications Length - 2.74 m Diameter - 157 mm Wingspan - 0.66 m Weight - 89 kg Warhead - 12.5 kg Speed - Mach 2.5 Range - 0.5 to 14 km Guidance - Infrared homing Operational history During the late 1998–2001 Zimbabwean intervention in the Second Congo War, Air Force of Zimbabwe BAE Hawks were reportedly modified to be armed with PL-7s for air interception missions in support of Zimbabwean and Laurent Kabila's government forces. Operator Bangladesh Air Force People's Liberation Army Air Force Iran Air Force References External links https://web.archive.org/web/20060510171721/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/weapon/pl7.asp Air-to-air missiles of the People's Republic of China Cold War weapons of China