| AIM-54 Phoenix |
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Country: USA
Type: Stand-off AAM
Introduction: 1974 |
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The Phoenix missile was the only long-range air-to-air missile (AAM) to be in service in the United States and it was the first missile capable of multiple-launch against more than one target. The AIM-54 Phoenix is a radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile, carried in clusters of up to six missiles on F-14 Tomcat fighters, which is the only aircraft capable of carrying the AIM-54 Phoenix.
The AIM-54 was originally developed for the canceled F-111B, the naval variant of the joint USAF-USN F-111 fighter, and it was based on the Eagle project for the canceled F6D Missileer. The Phoenix was designed to defend the Carrier Battle Group against a variety of threats, including cruise missiles, and its range and loiter capability provided defense in depth.
Despite the much-vaunted capabilities, the Phoenix was rarely used in combat, with only two confirmed launches and no confirmed targets destroyed in US Navy service. The AIM-54 Phoenix was retired from USN service on September 30, 2004. It remains in service with Iran.
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| General Information |
| Developed by |
USA |
| Deployed by |
USA, Iran |
| Development Year |
1962 |
| Deployment Year |
1974 |
| Platform |
F-14 Tomcat(6 missiles) |
| Number manufactured |
3,124(all version) |
| Number deployed |
about 2,500(54A), about 2,000(54C) |
| Contractor |
Hughes Missile Systems, Raytheon(second source) |
| Dimensions and Performance |
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Length |
4.01m |
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Body Diameter |
38.1cm |
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Wing/Fin span |
92.4cm |
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Launch Weight |
443kg(54A), 463kg(54C) |
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Range |
200km |
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Speed |
Mach 5.0+ |
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Altitude |
30,000m |
| Components |
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Propulsion |
solid propellant |
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Engine |
Mk47;WPU-3/B(AIM-54A), Mk60(AIM-54C) |
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Warhead |
60kg HE continuous rod |
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Guidance |
updated semi-active radar, active radar(54A), updated semi-active radar/inertia, active radar(54C) |
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