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AIM-54 Phoenix

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AIM-54 Phoenix

Basic data
Function	Long-range air-to-air missile
Manufacturer	Hughes Aircraft Company Raytheon Corporation
Unit cost	$477,131 USD
First flight	1974
Entered service	1974
General characteristics
Engine	Solid propellant rocket motor
Launch mass	1,000-1,040 lb (454-472 kg)
Length	13 ft (3.9 m)
Diameter	15 in (380 mm)
Wingspan	3 ft (900 mm)
Speed	Mach 5
Range	100⁺ NM (115⁺ mi, 184⁺ km)
Service ceiling	100,000 ft (30 km)
Flying altitude	80,000 ft (24 km)
Warhead	135 lb (60 kg), high explosive
Guidance	Semi-active and active radar homing
Fuzes	Proximity fuze
Launch platform	F-14 Tomcat

The AIM-54 Phoenix is a radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile, carried in clusters of up to six missiles — formerly on the U.S. Navy's and currently on the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force's F-14 Tomcat interceptors/multi-role fighters, which is the only aircraft capable of carrying it. The AIM-54 was originally developed in the early 1960s for the canceled F-111B naval variant, and based on the Eagle project for the canceled F6D Missileer. Both were based on the idea of long-range, slow-cruise, non-maneuvering missile carriers to counter long-range bombers carrying low-flying cruise missiles. It had no use for close-range air superiority.

1 History
2 Active guidance
3 Long range fleet defense missile
4 Legacy
5 Versions
6 Iranian combat experiences with the AIM-54 Phoenix
7 American combat experience
8 Characteristics
9 References
10 See also
11 External links
12 Related content

History

The Phoenix missile was the United States' only long-range air-to-air missile, and its first missile capable of multiple-launch against more than one target. Most other U.S. aircraft relied on the smaller, less-expensive AIM-7 Sparrow; classified as a Medium Range Missile (MRM). Guidance for the Sparrow required that the launching aircraft use its radar to continuously illuminate a single target for the missile seeker to track, or guidance would be lost. This method meant the aircraft no longer had a search capability while supporting the launched Sparrow, effectively reducing situational awareness. The Tomcat's AWG-9 radar was capable of tracking up to 24 targets in Track-While-Scan mode, with the AWG-9 selecting up to six priority targets for potential launch by the AIM-54. The pilot or Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) could then launch the AIM-54 Phoenix missiles when launch parameters were met. The large Tactical Information Display (TID) in the RIO's cockpit gave an unprecedented amount of information to the aircrew (the pilot had the ability to monitor the RIO's display) and, importantly, the AWG-9 could continually search and track multiple targets after Phoenix missiles were launched, thereby maintaining situational awareness of the Battlespace. Link-4 datalink capability allowed U.S. Navy Tomcats to share information with the E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft, and during Desert Shield in 1990, the Link-4A was introduced and allowed the Tomcats to have a fighter-to-fighter datalink capability, further enhancing overall situational awareness. The F-14D entered service with the JTIDS that brought the even better Link-16 datalink "picture" to the cockpit.

Active guidance

The Phoenix has several guidance modes and achieves its longest range by using mid-course updates from the F-14A's AWG-9 radar (APG-71 radar in the F-14B and F-14D versions) as it climbs to cruise between 80,000 ft (24,000 m) and 100,000 ft (30,000 m) at close to Mach 5. Utilizing its high altitude to gain kinetic energy, the missile dives towards its target and activates its terminal phase, active radar system for the final phase of the flight. By comparison, the AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided, medium-range air-to-air missile uses an on-board computer, made possible by digital technology, to compute a collision course to the target. It can be updated by the launching aircraft, before also using an active seeker in its final phase. The AIM-54/AWG-9 combination was the first to have multiple track capability (up to 24 targets) and launch (up to 6 Phoenixes can be launched nearly simultaneously); the large 1000 lb (500 kg) missile equipped with a conventional warhead. The airframe is a scaled-up version of the USAF AIM-47 Falcon with 4 cruciform fins. 4 can be carried under the fuselage tunnel attached to special aerodynamic pallets, and 1 under each glove station. A full load of 6 Phoenix missiles and the unique launch rails weigh in at over 8000 lb (3600 kg), about twice the weight of Sparrows, so it was more common to carry a mixed load of 4 Phoenix, 2 Sparrow and 2 Sidewinder missiles. Depending on the source, there are reports that an F-14 could not be recovered on a carrier with all 6 missiles, but only 2 or 4.

Long range fleet defense missile

AIM-54 Phoenix moments after launch (1991)

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. During the height of the Cold War, the threat included regimental-size raids of Tu-16 Badger and Tu-22M Backfire bombers equipped with high-speed cruise missiles and considerable Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) of various types. The upgraded Phoenix, the AIM-54C, was developed to better counter projected threats from tactical aircraft and cruise missiles, and its final upgrade included a re-programmable memory capability to keep pace with emerging threat ECM. It is thought that the Phoenix was based on the similar AIM-47 missile. The AIM-47 was developed for the experimental Mach-3 Lockheed YF-12 interceptor version of their venerable SR-71 Blackbird. The U.S. Air Force adopted neither the AIM-47, nor the AIM-54, operationally. The Air Force had no similar capability with the F-15 Eagle until the introduction of the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The latest model, AIM-120C-5, has a range of 65 miles (110 km), still significantly less than the retired AIM-54. The associated AWG-9 radar system carried by the F-111B and F-14 Tomcat was the one of largest and most powerful ever fitted to a fighter.

Legacy

The AIM-54 Phoenix was retired from USN service on September 30, 2004. F-14 Tomcats were retired on September 22, 2006. They were replaced by shorter range AIM-120 AMRAAMs, employed on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Both the F-14 Tomcat and AIM-54 Phoenix missile continue in the service of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, although the operational abilities of these aircraft and the missiles are questionable, since the United States refused to supply spare parts and maintenance after the 1979 revolution; except for a brief period during the Iran-Contra Affair (see F-14 Tomcat for more details). Despite the much-vaunted capabilities, the Phoenix was rarely used in combat, with only two confirmed launches and no confirmed targets destroyed in U.S. Navy service. The USAF F-15 Eagle had responsibility for overland Combat Air Patrol (CAP) duties in Desert Storm in 1991, primarily because of the onboard F-15 IFF capabilities; the Tomcat did not have the requisite IFF capability mandated by the JFACC to satisfy the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in order to utilize the Phoenix capability at Beyond Visual Range (BVR). From an engineering and service standpoint, the Phoenix could be said to be a notable success. However, as the only surviving member of the Falcon missile family, it was not adopted by any other nation (besides Iran), any other U.S. armed service, or even supported by any other aircraft. It was heavy, large, expensive and not practical in close combat compared to the Sparrow or AMRAAM.

Versions

AIM-54A: The original version to become operational, in 1974 and exported to Iran.
AIM-54C: Improved version, better able to counter cruise missiles. Superseded the AIM-54A from 1986.
AIM-54 ECCM/Sealed: Improved to include electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, does not require coolant conditioning during captive flight. Used from 1988 onwards.; Because the AIM-54 ECCM/Sealed receives no coolant, Tomcats carrying this version of the missile may not exceed a certain airspeed.

In recent years, Iran is said^{[attribution needed]} to have developed its own version of the Phoenix, equivalent to the AIM-54C version. There were also test, evaluation, ground training and captive air training versions of the missile, designated ATM-54, AEM-54, DATM-54A, and CATM-54. The flight versions had A and C versions. The DATM-54 was not made in a C version as there was no change in the ground handling characteristics.

Iranian combat experiences with the AIM-54 Phoenix

The factual accuracy of this article is disputed.

An F-14A Tomcat fighter aircraft from the U.S. Navy "Top Gun" Fighter Weapons School, San Diego, painted like an Iranian fighter for adversary training.

Little to nothing is known about Iran's use of its 79 F-14A Tomcats (delivered prior to 1979) in most western outlets, the exception being a book released by Osprey Publishing titled "Iranian F-14 Tomcats in Combat" authored by Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop.^[1] Most of the following accounts are based on the research contained in this book, possibly the only book devoted solely to the topic of Iranian F-14s. Reports on the use of the 285 missiles supplied to Iran ^[2], during the Iran-Iraq War, from 1980-88 vary. It is rumored that U.S. technical personnel sabotaged the aircraft and weapons before they left the country following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, making it impossible to fire the missile. However, the IRIAF was able to repair the sabotage and the damage only affected a limited number of planes; not the entire fleet. In reality, it is extremely unlikely that any sabotage was committed, as Iranian F-14s were continually operational throughout the Iran-Iraq war and scored many kills with their Phoenix missiles. Some western sources claim that it is unlikely that the Phoenix was used operationally. First, as difficult as the missile and fire control systems were to operate, Iran had hired many American technicians. Upon leaving, they took most of the knowledge about how to operate and maintain these complex weapon systems with them. Also, without a steady supply of engineering support from Hughes Aircraft Missile Systems Group and corresponding spares and upgrades, even a technically competent operator would have extreme difficulty fielding operational weapons. Iran had, indeed, aggressively pursued spares for their planes in the years following the revolution. Most informed sources claim that the primary use of the F-14 was as an airborne early warning aircraft, guarded by other fighters. However, Cooper claims that the IRIAF used the F-14 actively as a fighter-interceptor, and at times as escort fighter with the AIM-54 scoring 60-70 kills. F-14s were often used to protect IRIAF tankers supporting strike packages into Iraq, and scanned over the border with their radars, often engaging detected Iraqi flights. Also, some F-14s were modified into specialized airborne early warning aircraft. Supporters of these claims point to the fact that, in the 1991 Gulf War, Iraqi fighter pilots consistently turned and fled as soon as American F-14 pilots turned on their fighters' very distinctive AN/AWG-9 radars, which suggests that Iraqi pilots had learned to avoid the F-14. The counter-argument is that virtually all Iraqi fighters turned and fled when confronted, regardless of the type of aircraft facing them, although the USAF had much better success engaging Iraqi fighters with their F-15 Eagles in the same vicinity where Tomcats operated. List of claimed kills:

During the entry of the F-14 and AIM-54 into Iranian service, the Shah (king) ordered live-firing exercises with AIM-54s. The exercise was targeted against the Soviet Union, who was flying MiG-25 reconnaissance sorties over Iran. Five AIM-54s were shot at AQL-34 target drones, two flying Mach 2 at 60,000 feet (18,000 m). Four missiles hit the targets.
On 1980-09-16, Iranian F-14s were vectored against a fast-moving contact, approaching Khark oil terminals at Mach 3. The MiG-25 was shot down by an AIM-54. This was the first confirmed kill by an F-14 against a MiG-25.

On the same day, another MiG-25RB was shot down in extremely hard conditions. The MiG-25 was approaching fast and was already within 113 km, yet the F-14 RIO was unable to acquire the target. A positive lock-on was made at a distance of only 70 km, almost inside the minimum range for this type of look-up shot against a high-speed target. A single AIM-54 was launched in snap-up engagement mode at 64 km. The missile worked perfectly and the MiG was downed.

On 1980-12-02, one of the closest-range shoot-downs by an AIM-54 occurred. Captain F. Dehghan of the 8th TFS was flying on patrol covering Khark Island oil terminals, when a number of approaching bogies were detected. Lock-on was attained only from a distance of 10 nautical miles (19 km), too close to the minimum range of the missile. The F-14 had to use the Phoenix, though, as otherwise the plane would have been too heavy for dogfighting. The Phoenix was launched in short-range active mode and it managed to hit a MiG-21.
On 1982-11-20, two Iraqi generals boarded an Mi-8 helicopter to visit the front lines. The Mi-8 was escorted by two other Mi-8s, an Mi-25, four MiG-21s and four MiG-23s, that were replaced by additional fighters when they ran low on fuel. The formation was spotted by two Iranian Tomcats escorting an IRIAF KC-707 tanker, which was waiting for an Iranian F-4 strike group to refuel. The F-14s were flying a race-track pattern, scanning over the front line with their AWG-9 radars. Captain Khosrodad spotted a large number of targets approaching slowly from the west, already within AIM-54 range. Khosrodad ordered his wingman to keep with the tanker and attacked, first firing two AIM-54s, then two AIM-7E-4s some 10 seconds later. According to Iraqi reports, one MiG-21 and two MiG-23s were shot down within a minute, forcing the Iraqi generals to abandon their mission.
On 1987-02-20, an IRIAF F-4 lured an Iraqi strike force into a trap, which was ambushed by two F-14s of the 81st TFS. An AIM-54 was launched at very long range, hitting the lead Mirage flown by IrAF Brig. General Hekmat Abdul-Qadr. The Iranian listening posts recorded the leader of the accompanying Su-22 flight scream "F-Arba-Ashara! Yalla! Yalla!" with the seven remaining fighters turning and fleeing. In English, the leader had called: "F-14! Run! Run!"
During late 1987, the Soviet Union supplied Iraq with the MiG-25BM "Wild Weasel" aircraft. The planes tested the ECM systems against Iranian Tomcats and attacked Iranian targets with new anti-radar weapons. The MiG-25BMs proved they could operate with impunity at up to 69,000 ft (21,000 m), until on the night of November 11 a MiG-25BM was intercepted by an F-14. The Tomcat fired a single AIM-54 in Home-On-Jam mode. The missile guided flawlessly but failed to detonate. Yet, the missile clipped the MiG-25's fin and forced the pilot to bail out.
During March 1988, Iraq launched a major attack against Iranian oil exports. On March 19, at 0100h, the first wave of Iraqi Tu-22B heavy bombers and Mirage fighters, attacked Khark Island and the tankers. Half an hour later, a second wave arrived without losses. The Iranian F-14s had arrived on scene for the third wave, though. The U.S. Navy warships patrolling on the area recorded several AIM-54 launches, with at least one Tu-22B bomber and a MiG-25RB being destroyed. According to the U.S. Navy, it is probable that other Iraqi bombers were shot down as well.
During the ending phase of the Iran-Iraq war, a mini war developed between the Iraqi Mirage F1 EQ-5/6 units and the Iranian F-14s between February and July 1988. The F1 pilots hunted the Tomcats aggressively and attacked the Iranians at any occasion. The F1EQ-6s were equipped with good ECM systems, and the Iraqi pilots could deny the F-14s from using their AIM-54 missiles. For example, on 1988-07-19, 4 Mirages attacked two F-14s and downed both, suffering no losses.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force was able to keep its F-14 fighters and AIM-54 missiles in regular use during the whole of the Iran-Iraq war, though periodic lack of spares grounded at times large parts of the fleet. At worst, during late 1987, the stock of AIM-54 missiles was at its lowest, with less than 50 operational missiles available. The missiles needed fresh thermal batteries that could only be purchased from the USA. Iran managed finally to find a clandestine buyer that supplied the Iranians with batteries - though those did cost up to $10,000 USD each. Iran did receive spares and parts for both the F-14s and AIM-54s from various sources during the Iran-Iraq war, and has received more spares after the conflict. Iran started a heavy industrial program to build spares for the planes and missiles, and although there are claims that it no longer relies on outside sources to keep its F-14s and AIM-54s operational, there is evidence that Iran continues to procure parts clandestinely.^[3]

American combat experience

The Gulf of Sidra incident (1981), in which American F-14s shot down 2 Libyan Su-22s, is sometimes thought to have involved AIM-54s. However, the engagement was conducted at short ranges using the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The other U.S. F-14 fighter to fighter engagement, the Gulf of Sidra incident (1989), used AIM-7 Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles, but not the Phoenix.
In training, the Phoenix hit a target drone at a range of 212 km (in January 1979, in Iran).

Characteristics

An AIM-54 Phoenix being attached to an F-14 wing pylon. Note the forward wings have not been installed yet (2003)

(Source^[4])

Primary function: Long-range air-launched air intercept missile
Contractor: Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon Corporation
Unit cost: US$477,131
Power Plant: Solid propellant rocket motor built by Hercules
Length: 13 ft (3.9 m)
Weight: 1,000-1,040 lb (460 kg)
Diameter: 15 in (380 mm)
Wing span: 3 ft (900 mm)
Range: In excess of 100 nautical miles (115 statute miles, 184 km)¹
Speed: 3,000+ mph (4,680+ km/h)
Guidance system: Semi-active and active radar homing
Warheads: Proximity fuze, high explosive
Warhead weight: 135 lb (60 kg)
Users: USA (U.S. Navy), Iran (IRIAF)
Date deployed: 1974
Date retired (U.S.): September 30 2004

Note 1: Actual range classified

References

^ http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_452.shtml
^ http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/q0077.shtml
^ Theimer, Sharon. Iran Gets Army Gear in Pentagon Sale. Retrieved on 2007-01-17.
^ Navy Fact file. AIM-54 Phoenix Missile.

AIM-54 Phoenix

Contents

History

Active guidance

Long range fleet defense missile

Legacy

Versions

Iranian combat experiences with the AIM-54 Phoenix

American combat experience

Characteristics

References

See also

External links

Related content

Designation sequence

Related lists