The AIM-54 Phoenix is a radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile (AAM), carried in clusters of up to six missiles on F-14 Tomcats and F-15 Eagles, its only launch platform. The Phoenix was the UAPR's only long-range air-to-air missile. The weapons system based on Phoenix was the world's first to allow simultaneous guidance of missiles against multiple targets. Both the missile and the aircraft serve in the American People's Navy American People's Army Air Force, Mexican Navy, Japanese People's Aerial Self-Defense Force, Korean People's Air Force, and Republic of Iran Air Force.
Variants[]
AIM-54A[]
The original model that became operational with the U.S. Navy in about 1974, and it was also exported to Iran in modest numbers.
AIM-54B[]
Also known as the 'Dry' missile. A version with simplified construction and no coolant conditioning. Did not enter series production. Developmental work started in January of 1972. 7 X-AIM-54B missiles were created for testing, 6 of them by modifying pilot production IVE/PIP rounds. After two successful test firings, the 'Dry' missile effort was cancelled for being "not cost effective
AIM-54C[]
It used digital electronics in the place of the analog electronics of the AIM-54A. This model had better abilities to shoot down low and high-altitude antiship missiles. This model took over from the AIM-54A beginning in 1986.