The development of AIM-54A Phoenix started in 1960,
with Hughes being selected as prime contractor in 1962.
Initial flight trials started in 1965 continuing
through to 1972 and production was started in 1972 with
first deliveries to the US Navy in 1974. Development of
an improved version, AIM-54C, was started in 1977 and
flight trials spread from 1979 to 1985. Initial
production contracts for AIM-54C were let to Hughes in
1984 and Raytheon was awarded the second source
production qualification contract in 1986. Production
contracts were competed for by consortia led by Hughes
and Raytheon from 1989. A further Phoenix upgrade was
started in 1987, incorporating reprogrammable memory, a
new TWT amplifier in the transmitter adapted from
AIM-120, and a new antenna. These modifications were to
increase the range and improve the ECCM. Testing of
this upgrade started in 1990. Up to six Phoenix
missiles can be carried by the F-14 Tomcat aircraft,
although the AWG-9 fire control system and missiles
were originally developed for carriage on the F-111B,
which was later cancelled. It has been reported that
the Japanese are examining the feasibility of carrying
Phoenix missiles on their P-3C Orion aircraft.
DESCRIPTION:
The AIM-54A Phoenix missile has four delta wings, with
four rectangular control fins at the rear. The missile
is 3.96 m long, has a body diameter of 380 mm and a
wingspan of 0.92 m. The missile weighs 443 kg. The
AIM-54A has continuous wave monopulse semi-active radar
homing with updates during mid-course and an active
pulse Doppler terminal radar. During the mid-course
phase, with the aircraft radar in the track-while-scan
mode, the missile acquires and tracks the target.
Mid-course updates are sent by the launch aircraft
giving target Doppler and position information to the
missile. The missile also has a 'home-on-jam'
capability. The Phoenix missile and AWG-9 fire control
system on the F-14 are coupled together, both were
developed by Hughes and the aircraft can launch up to
six missiles against multiple targets. The F-14 carries
four missiles below the fuselage and two on wing
pylons. AIM-54A Phoenix was successfully demonstrated
intercepting targets at 50 ft (15 m) and 80,000 ft
(24.4 km). The AIM-54C has the same dimensions as the A
version, but weighs 463 kg. This version has several
improvements, including a digital signal processor,
solid-state transmitter/receiver for active terminal
radar, improved ECCM, inertial mid-course guidance to
supplement the continuous semi-active mode, an active
radar fuze, built-in test to provide a test sequence of
the major missile components before launch-ejection and
built-in missile heaters and coolers to remove the
dependence upon aircraft supplies.
SPECIFICATIONS:
AIM-54A
Length: 3.96 m
Body diameter: 380 mm
Wingspan: 0.92 m
Launch weight: 443 kg
Warhead: 60 kg HE continuous rod
Fuze: IR
Guidance: Semi-active, update and active radar
Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 150 km
AIM-54C
Length: 3.96 m
Body diameter: 380 mm
Wingspan: 0.92 m
Launch weight: 463 kg
Warhead: 60 kg HE continuous rod
Fuze: Active radar
Guidance: Semi-active, update, inertial and active radar
Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 150 km
