AIM-54 Phoenix

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The AIM-54 Phoenix was a long-range radar guided air-to-air missile, carried in clusters of up to six missiles on the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat, the only aircraft capable of carrying it.

The AIM-54 was originally developed in the early 1960s for the cancelled F-111B naval variant, and based on the Eagle project for the cancelled 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 AIM-54 Phoenix
7 Iranian kill counts by AIM-54 missile
8 American combat experience
9 Characteristics
10 See also
11 External links

[edit] History

The Phoenix missile was the United States' only long-range air-to-air missile. Most other US aircraft relied on the smaller, less expensive AIM-7 Sparrow, which had shorter range. It required that the launching aircraft continuously paint no more than one target for the missile seeker to track, or tracking would be lost if the pilot had to maneuver against incoming fire.

[edit] Active Guidance

The Phoenix is guided semi-actively after launch by the reflections from the F-14's AWG-9 radar as it climbs to cruise between 80,000ft and 100,000 ft at close to Mach 5. Utilizing its high altitude to gain kinetic energy, the missile dives toward its target and activates its active radar system for the final segment of the flight. By comparison, the AMRAAM 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 is part of an airborne weapons 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. This is possible because of an active seeker which can illuminate the target without help from the launch aircraft. 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 in special aerodynamic pallets, and 1 under each wing root. A full load is over 6,000 lb, about twice the weight of Sparrows, so it was more common to carry a mix of Sparrow and Sidewinders. Depending on the source, there are reports that an F-14 could not be recovered on a carrier with all six missiles, but only two or four.

[edit] Long range fleet defense missile

The Phoenix was designed to defend fleets against both low flying cruise missiles against ground clutter and water reflections, and very high, fast aircraft such as the MiG-25 'Foxbat'. The improved Phoenix, the AIM-54C, was developed to better counter projected threats from tactical aircraft and cruise missiles. 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 Blackbird.

The US 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 radar AWG-9 radar system carried by the F-111B and F-14 Tomcat was the largest and most powerful ever fitted to a fighter. ^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 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 F-14 Tomcat and AIM-54 Phoenix missile continue in service of the Iranian 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 (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.^{[citation needed]} The USAF F-15 Eagle was selected for air combat patrol duties for Desert Storm in 1991 primarily because of IFF capabilities; the Phoenix capability evidently did not matter for this mission. 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 US service, or even supported by any other aircraft. It was heavy, large, expensive and not at all useful in close combat compared to the Sparrow or AMRAAM.

[edit] Versions

AIM-54A: The original version to become operational, in 1974.

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 to have developed its own version of the Phoenix.

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.

[edit] Iranian combat experiences with AIM-54 Phoenix

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Little to nothing is known about Iran's use of its seventy-nine 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 of use of the 285 missiles supplied to Iran [2] during the Iran-Iraq War, from 1980–88 vary. US technical personnel report that they sabotaged the aircraft and weapons before they left the country following the coup, 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.

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 coup.

Most less informed sources claim that the primary use of the F-14 was as an airborne early warning aircraft, guarded by other fighters.

However, in reality IRIAF used the F-14s actively as a fighter-interceptor and at times 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.

During the entry of F-14 and AIM-54 into Iranian service, the Shah ordered live-firing exercises with AIM-54s. The exercise was targeted against the Soviet Union, who was flying MiG-25 recon sorties over Iran. Five AIM-54s were shot at AQL-34 target drones, two flying Mach 2 at 60.000 feet. Four missiles hit the targets. After the exercise Soviets approached Iran and both sides reached agreement, that allowed the tensions to de-escalate, avoiding further conflicts between the two states.

On 16th September 1980 Iranian F-14s were vectored against 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 F-14 against MiG-25s.

On same day, another MiG-25RB was shot down on 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 on distance of only 70 km, almost inside the minimum range . A single AIM-54 was launched in snap-up engagement mode at 64 km. The missile worked perfectly and the MiG was downed.

On 2nd December 1980 one of the closest range shootdowns by AIM-54 occurred. Captain F. Dehghan of 8nd TFS was flying on patrol covering Khark Island oil teminals, when number of approaching bogies were detected. Lock-on was attained only from a distance of 10 miles, 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 on short-range mode and it managed to hit a MiG-21.

At 20th November 1982 two Iraqi generals boarded a Mi-8 helicopter to visit the front lines. The Mi-8 was escorted by two other Mi-8s, 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 IRIAF KC-707 tanker, which was waiting for Iranian F-4 strike to refuel. The F-14s were flying race-track pattern, scanning over the front line with their AWG-9 radar. Captain Khosrodad spotted a large number of targets approaching slowly from 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 20th February 1987 an F-4 lured Iraqi strike force into a trap, which was snapped by two F-14s of 81st TFS. A 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 Soviet Union supplied Iraq with 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, until on the night of 11th November a MiG-25BM was intercepted by an F-14. The Tomcat fired a single AIM-54 in Home-On-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 19th March, at 0100, the first wave of Iraqi Tu-22B heavy bombers and Mirages, attacked Khark island and the tankers. Half an hour later second wave arrived without losses. The Iranian F-14s had arrived on scene for the third wave, though. The US 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 US Navy, it is probable that other Iraqi bombers were shot down as well.

During the ending phase of Iran-Iraq war a mini war developed between the Iraqi Mirage F1 EQ-5/6 units and the Iranian F-14s between February until July 1988. The F1 pilots hunted the Tomcats aggressively and attacked the Iranians at any occasion. The F1EQ-6s were equipped with good EMC systems, and the Iraqi pilots could deny the F-14s from using their AIM-54 missiles. For example on 19th July 1988 four Mirages attacked two F-14s and downed both, suffering no losses.

The Iranian Air Force was able to keep its F-14 fighters and AIM-54 missiles in regular use during the whole of the Iraq-Iran war, though periodic lack of spares grounded at times large part 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 lacked thermal batteries, that could only be purchased from the USA. Iran managed finally to find clandestine buyer that supplied the Iranians with batteries - though those did cost up to 10.000 USD a piece. 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 heavy industrial program to built spares for the planes and missiles, and does not rely anymore on outside sources for keeping the F-14s and AIM-54s operational.

[edit] Iranian kill counts by AIM-54 missile

It is estimated that during the Iran-Iraq war 1980-1988, from reports from pilots on both sides, guncamera/TISEO films, examination of wreckage, local and foreign intelligence and other sources, that on total the IRIAF F-14As scored 130 confirmed and 23 probable aerial victories. Iran launched possibly 70 to 90 AIM-54A missiles, and 60-70 of those scored. In one instance four Iraqi fighters were shot down by a single Phoenix. Twice two Iraqi fighters were destroyed with a single missile.

All in all, almost 90 % of the AIM-54A missiles fired by Iranian F-14s in combat were used against Iraqi fighters and fighter-bombers. Only about a dozen victories by AIM-54s were against fast, highflying targets like MiG-25 or Tu-22. This performance was surprising, especially as the missile was designed for fleet defence, against large targets, not nimble fighters.

Iranian F-14 pilot, Major Ali, made following conclusion from the Iranian use of F-14s and Phoenix missiles:

"When I look back at our service record with the jet I look beyond its exceptional performance as purely an interceptor. We used it to escort fighters and tankers and flew many radar-reconnaissance missions as mini-AWACS for the protection of others in the air and on the ground. No air defence system has even proven so effective."

Iranian F-14 pilots also regularly engaged enemy forces in traditional dogfights, using their cannon and Sidewinder missiles to good effect.

[edit] American combat experience

Image:AIM-54 Launch.jpg The Gulf of Sidra incident (1981), in which American F-14s shot down 2 Libyan Su-22s is sometimes thought to have involved AIM-54. However, the engagement was conducted at short ranges using the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The other US F-14 fighter to fighter engagement, the Gulf of Sidra incident (1989) used AIM-7 Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles, not the Phoenix.

In training, the Phoenix hit a target drone at a range of 212 km (in January 1979, in Iran).

Actual ranges at which the Phoenix has successfully hit targets in tests:

longest shot to kill: ~ 140 km ^{[citation needed]}
average engagement ranges: 20 to 70 km ^{[citation needed]}
the shortest shot to kill: 7.5 km ^{[citation needed]}

Other than the possible Iranian firings, the only confirmed combat use of the Phoenix was on January 5, 1999 by two F-14Ds engaging two Iraqi MiG-25s, and on September 9 the same year against an Iraqi MiG-23. The missiles missed on both occasions. ^{[citation needed]}