To: SampleMan
Speaking of extreme AAM range, was the Phoenix replaced with similar range missile? I gather they retired it with the F14.
13 posted on
03/05/2007 1:45:28 PM PST by
AZRepublican
("The degree in which a measure is necessary can never be a test of the legal right to adopt it.")
To: AZRepublican
Yes. Only the Tomcat could carry it.
The missle never did live up to the hype.
25 posted on
03/05/2007 2:53:06 PM PST by
Fatuncle
(Of course I'm ignorant. I'm here to learn.)
To: AZRepublican
F-14 was the only platform that could fire it. Phoenix was retired in 2004.
32 posted on
03/05/2007 4:54:10 PM PST by
Doohickey
(I am not unappeasable. YOU are just too easily appeased.)
To: AZRepublican
The AIM-54 was designed to shoot at large Soviet bombers with the radar cross section of a strip mall. Its range against smaller maneuvering targets was much less.
I have thought about the idea of hanging an SM-2 under an interceptor with a combination seeker that would passively track like the HARM and then go full active in the terminal phase. Fired from 40k feet it would have a range in excess of 140 nm and be a real AWACS killer.
Of course it would have to fall away before ignition just like the AIM-54 did, and the pilot would have to close his eyes to prevent being blinded by the flash.
33 posted on
03/05/2007 4:55:03 PM PST by
SampleMan
(Islamic tolerance is practiced by killing you last.)
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