AIM-54 Phoenix: A rocket that turned F-14 Tomcat into a "Air killer"

AIM-54 Phoenix is ​​one of the well-known weapons that have previously been used by the US Navy and now Iran Air Force. AIM-54 Phoenix was a large-range air-to-air rocket used by the US Navy from 1974 to 2004, in particular at the F-14 Tomcat fighter. Initially, it was designed to ultimately canceled the F-11B Aardvark project, the rocket became an integral part of the F-14 arsenal. The National Interest writes about it. Much attention is paid to the characteristics of modern fighters.

But the fighter is only a weapon delivery system. AIM-54 Phoenix is ​​one of the well-known weapons that have previously been used by the US Navy and now Iran Air Force. AIM-54, launched with F-14 Tomcat, is a rocket of the "air-air" class outside visual range (BVR), it was first released in 1966. It implemented a semi-active radar system and an active radar system that made AIM-54 "smart".

AIM-54 was placed on an external F-14 pylon in clusters of six pieces and could run against other aircraft. With a maximum speed of five strokes or 1707 meters per second, AIM-54 quickly approached its goals. But despite the fact that the AIM-54 project was launched exclusively with the F-14, it was developed for F-111B Aardvark, which was to become a deck F-1111A US Air Force. In the end, the F-111B project was canceled.

But the F-111 had to serve as a long trapping with a distinctive feature: arrow wings, which were also in the F-14. The F-141B was eventually canceled, but the BVR Platform missile system continued its existence. It was transferred to the Navy fighter development program known as VFX. Subsequently, it became F-14 Tomcat. The completed AIM-54 project was an effective weapon.

At the same time, up to six missiles could be launched in all weather conditions, which made AIM-54 a universal and reliable rocket system. The rocket was launched with a "catapult launch", for which the pyrotechnic charge throws a rocket from the external starting system under the F-14 before the AIM-54 solid fuel rocket engine was inflamed. AIM-54 was a heavy weapon. The AIM-54 group weighed more than four tons.