Missile AIM-54 Phoenix
Summary
| Category | Air-to-Air Missile |
| Sub-type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
Technical specifications
| AIM-54 Phoenix | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead Weight | 60 kg |
| Diameter | 380 mm (15.0 in) |
| Span | 925 mm (36.4 in) |
| Length | 4010 mm (157.9 in) |
| Weight | 447 kg (985 lb) |
| Range | 148 km (92 mi) |
| Max Speed | Mach 5 |
Description
The AIM-54 Phoenix is a long-range air-to-air missile that was originally developed for the United States Navy by Hughes Aircraft and later by Raytheon. Introduced in the 1970s, the Phoenix was one of the first air-to-air missiles with the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. It was designed for use primarily on the F-14 Tomcat, with the intention of defending carrier battle groups against Soviet bomber fleets.
The AIM-54 uses semi-active and active radar homing for its guidance system. It initially relies on the launching aircraft's radar for targeting and switches to its own active radar in the terminal phase of the flight. This enables the Phoenix to have "fire-and-forget" capabilities to some extent, although it benefits from continuous target illumination by the launching aircraft's radar for optimum accuracy.
Propulsion comes from a solid-fuel rocket motor, allowing the Phoenix to reach speeds up to Mach 5. The AIM-54 was one of the fastest air-to-air missiles ever produced. Its long range, upwards of 100 miles depending on the variant and launch conditions, made it unique among Western air-to-air missiles.
The AIM-54 Phoenix was designed to carry a large warhead, enhancing its ability to destroy or severely damage large aircraft, including bombers and AWACS. This feature set it apart from other air-to-air missiles, which were generally optimized for shooting down fighter aircraft.
Though it was effective, the AIM-54 also had downsides, including its large size, heavy weight, and high cost. Furthermore, despite its long-range capability, it was never used in actual air-to-air combat to down an enemy aircraft. The AIM-54 was retired from U.S. service in 2004, following the retirement of the F-14 Tomcat. It has not been exported widely and saw limited adoption outside the United States.