AIM-54 Phoenix: A Legendary Air-to-Air Missile
Introduction
The AIM-54 Phoenix is an iconic long-range air-to-air missile (AAM) that served as a formidable weapon in the United States Navy's arsenal for decades.Historical Development
The Phoenix missile was conceptualized in the 1960s, drawing inspiration from the technology used in the AIM-47 Falcon missile. It was designed to equip the General Dynamics F-111B, a naval variant of the F-111 program, but eventually found its exclusive home on the iconic Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
Technical Specifications
The AIM-54 Phoenix boasts impressive technical specifications. It carries up to six missiles in clusters on the F-14 Tomcat, each capable of exceeding speeds of 3000 mph (4800 kmph) and striking targets over 100 nautical miles (184 km) away. The missile employs an advanced radar guidance system, ensuring precision strikes against aerial targets.
Comments