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AIM-54 Phoenix



 

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 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.

General characteristics
Primary function Long-range air-launched air intercept missile
Contractor Hughes Aircraft Co. and Raytheon Co.
Power plant Solid propellant rocket motor built by Hercules
Length 13 ft 3.9 m
Weight 1,024 lb 464.5 kg
Diameter 15 in 38.1 cm
Wingspan 3 ft 0.9 m
Range In excess of  115 miles 185 km
Speed In excess of  3,000 mph 4,828 km/h
Guidance Semi-active and active radar homing
Warhead Proximity fuse, high explosive
Warhead weight 135 lb 61.2 kg
Unit cost $477,131
Date deployed 1974

Jirka Wagner

 

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