AIM-54 Phoenix

The AIM-54 Phoenix is a long-range air-to-air missile, carried in clusters of up to six missiles on the F-14 Tomcat.

The Phoenix missile is the US Navy's only long-range air-to-air missile. It is an airborne weapons control system with multiple-target handling capabilities, used to kill multiple air targets with conventional warheads. Near simultaneous launch is possible against up to six targets in all weather and heavy jamming environments. The improved Phoenix, the AIM-54C, can better counter projected threats from tactical aircraft and cruise missiles.

Table of contents

1 Notes 2 Versions 3 Inventory 4 Combat Performance 5 Characteristics 6 See also 7 External link

Notes

The Phoenix is used exclusively on the F-14 Tomcat.

In training, the Phoenix hit a target drone at a range of 212 km (in January 1979, in Iran).

Versions

AIM-54A: the orignial version to become operational, in 1974.

AIM-54C: an improved version, better able to vcounter cruise missiles. Superceded the AIM-54A from 1986.

AIM-54 ECCM/Sealed: improved to include electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, does not require coolant conditioning during captive flight. used from 1988 onwards.

In recent years, Iran is said to have developed its own version of the Phoenix.

Inventory

Combat Performance

Phoenix was used by Iran during the Iran-Iraq War, from 1980 onwards. In 1981, American F-14s shot down 2 Libyan Su-22s.

Actual ranges at which the Phoenix has successfully hit targets in combat:

• longest shot to kill: ~ 140 km
• average engagement ranges: 20 - 70 km
• the shortest shot to kill: 7.5 km

Characteristics

• Primary Function: Long-range air-launched air intercept missile
• Contractor: Hughes Aircraft Corporation and Raytheon Corporation
• Unit Cost: US$ 477,131 (in what year? What version)
• Power Plant: Solid propellant rocket motor built by Hercules
• Length: 3.9 m (13 feet)
• Weight: 460 kg (1,024 pounds)
• Diameter: 38 cm (15 inches)
• Wing Span: 90 cm (3 feet)
• Range: >210 kilometers (125 miles, 110 nautical miles)
• Speed: >1300 m/s (3,000 mph)
• Guidance System: Semi-active and active radar homing
• Warheads: Proximity fuse, high explosive
• Warhead Weight: 60 kg (135 pounds)
• Date Deployed: 1974
• Users: USA (US Navy), Iran

See also

Long range air-to-air missiles: AIM-7 Sparrow, MBDA Meteor

Other air-to-air missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder

External link

• http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/aim-54.htm