AIM-54 Introduction

INTERCEPT PROCEDURES TEXTBOOK

C. Warhead

The AIM-7M employs an 85 pound annular blast fragmentation warhead that explodes into

thousands of steel fragments. The hot gases that propel these fragments also serve to ignite all

combustible materials.

D. Rocket Motor

The Sparrow has a Mk-56 boost-sustained, solid propellant rocket motor. The initial boost

lasts for 3.5 seconds and propels the missile to its cruising speed of 2.5 mach over the launch

aircraft's speed. The motor then sustains the thrust for an additional 12.5 seconds to allow the

missile to maintain its speed over a much greater range.

AIM-54 Introduction

The AIM-54 Phoenix is a medium to long range, all-aspect, all weather missile. It has both

semi-active and active radar guidance systems. The Phoenix was designed primarily for long

range battlegroup defense against bomber-sized aircraft, but has also proven effective against

cruise missiles and fighter-sized aircraft.

History

The Phoenix first evolved as the primary weapon for the experimental YF-12 interceptor

aircraft. Developed to counter the growing Soviet bomber threat, it had a look-down/shoot-down

capability with either conventional or nuclear warhead systems. Although the program was a

success, it was cancelled because of the expense involved.

In 1962, the F-111B, along with the accompanying AIM-54 Phoenix missile system, was

designed for all services. The Navy cancelled the program because the aircraft could not pass

carrier suitability tests. The Air Force retained the aircraft, minus the weapons system, for low-

altitude attack missions.

Grumman proposed encasing the AIM-54 and AWG-9 weapons system into a new airframe -

the F-14. This combination of a multi-shot, track-while-scan capable weapons system along

with a fairly good fighter aircraft allowed the F-14 to be the Navy's premier defensive platform

for over 25 years.

Design

The AIM-54 is 13 feet in length, 15 inches in diameter and weighs approximately 1000

pounds. The increased size over the AIM-7 is due to its larger warhead, bigger motor, and

because it has its own radar transmitter. This active radar feature is what allows the Phoenix to

be a launch and leave missile. The AWG-9 weapons system was designed to launch up to 6

Phoenix missiles simultaneously against six different targets. The AIM-54 can be broken down

into four major sections: guidance, fuse, warhead, and rocket motor.

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