AIM-54 Thought

[Corsair7662]

The concept we came up with called for the use of the remaining stockpiles (And I have no clue as to the true destination of the Retired Pheonixes) of AIM-54 and to convert them into a revolutionary cruise missile with applications against threats in the Air, on the Land, and Sea.

 

We have no clue as to the true merit of a program of this nature, but if A) Possible, B) Successful, I think it would truly be something revolutionary.

------------------------------------------------------------

Project Description

The technology behind the Electro Magneto Cumulative Generator (EMG) is by no means, new to the modern military. It has been developed and weaponized by countries such as Russia, China, and the United States. However, its applications are limited to Strategic roles. The EGM-54 concept seeks to change the uses of an EMG weapon to be better suited to a tactical environment. The concept of the EMG-54 is simple. The airframe, propulsion, and guidance system the venerable AIM-54C/Sealed Phoenix, combined with a EMG warhead and GPS targeting system. These factors combine to create a weapon system that is Affordable, Capable, and Deployable. Now.

 

The performance of the AIM-54C is ideally suited to this type of role. It is extremely fast, as well as comparatively small meaning the probability of intercept is very small. It also has a very long standoff range. This is more desirable than a large slow cruise missile.

 

The combination of the AIM-54 and EMG warhead is also very cost effective. Currently, the Navy has hundreds of these missiles accumulated in its inventory. This means that there would not be a requirement to build new EMG-54s. It also means that the EMG-54 is more affordable and deployable than any other option available now, or in the near future.

 

Goals

· Cost effective EMG deployment

· Rapid ROI using off-the-shelf components

· Incorporate upgradeable warhead technologies to provide future capabilities

· Provide limited hard target penetration

 

Integration

Currently, the only aircraft in the US Inventory capable of carrying the AIM-54 missile is the Northrup Grumman F-14 Tomcat family of fighters. This is a problem, because although it would be expensive to maintain that type of fighter and update that fighter to protect it’s self from future threats, overall it would be more cost effective than attempting to rewire other fighters to carry the EGM-54. Also, the Tomcat would not require the software changes to allow for the use of other weapons systems because it would become dedicated to the Electronic Strike (ES) Role.

 

EGM-54 Warhead

Explosive Magneto-Cumulative Generator uses advanced conventional explosives to compress an electrically charged coil. The result is a short but very intense blast of magnetic pulsed fields equal to a small nuclear bomb. The process of creating the magnetic field in these generators involves making a charged coil that is wrapped in a high explosive. Before detonation, a current is sent from a capacitor bank on board the missile, through the coil creating a high magnetic field. When the warhead is detonated the resulting implosion then squeezes the coil rapidly to create an extremely intense magnetic field for a fraction of a second.

 

The strong magnetic field and electromagnetic pulse caused by the explosion can destroy all important integrated circuits and IC chips of the electronic equipment within the demolition scope. EMGs can knock out computers, electrical systems, radios, radars and fry a wide variety of electronic devices over a wide area. This allows the EMG-54A/B system to be used for directed attack or area denial over a wide radius, as decided before takeoff, or during captive re-planning.

 

Guidance—EGM-54A

The EGM-54A uses the same guidance system as the original AIM-54C. This allows for a much faster conversion time, and lower conversion cost. However, the EGM-54A is limited to striking targets within the AIM-54C’s engagement envelope and area. This does not allow the EMG-54A to be used against surface targets.

 

Guidance—EGM-54B

Converted GPS Aided INS (GAINS) from the 1,000lb JDAM. The weapon system allows launch from a wider envelope than the EMG-54A. Making launches from very low to very high altitude allowable. The EMG-54B can be launched in a dive (Used to direct the full energy of the power plant into a point blank “SLAM”), dropped tail-cold (Used in a free fall manner), or in straight and level flight with an on-axis or off-axis delivery (During standard launch). The inherent capability of the AIM-54 fire control system to launch six simultaneous missiles also allows multiple target engagements on a single pass delivery. The EMG-54B provides the user with a variety of targeting schemes, such as preplanned and in-flight captive carriage retargeting.

 

EF-14D “Spark” Cat Upgrade Description

As mentioned previously, the only aircraft capable of carrying the current AIM-54 is the F-14 Tomcat family of aircraft. However, this aircraft in the middle of it’s retirement. However, the cost of integrating the hardware, software, and testing the carriage, separation, and launch of the EMG-54 (Which uses the hardware and much of the same software as the AIM-54) into another aircraft far outweighs the cost of reintroducing a limited number of F-14s back into the fleet.

 

Projected Capabilities

1. SEAD (Using the EMG-54B to destroy the communications and intelligence aparatus of a SAM or Air Defense installation)

 

2. Reprisal of the Fleet Defense Interceptor Role (Using the EMG-54A)

 

3. Precision All Weather Strike (Using Legacy F-14D Programming)

4. Electromagnetic Strike (EMG-54A)

o Against airborne threats/groups

5. Electromagnetic Strike (EMG-54B)

o Against airborne targets/groups

o Against Soft Surface Groups (Convoys, etc…)

o Against Hard Surface targets

o Against Shipping

 

The information transmitted in this message is thought of directly from our minds, confidential and proprietary. Any unauthorised disclosure, copying or distribution of this communication is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2006

[GGTharos]

And now the only question is, why use an expensive air to air missile when air to ground missiles designed specifically for the job and are already in inventory and integrated?

[Corsair7662]

How about for other uses of them instead of just long range air to air. not to mention again you can launch it from over 100 miles and still kill the target with its own guidence via GPS. And with a bomb u got to be right over the target!

[GGTharos]

Actually, with the right bomb you can stand off some 40nm ...

With the right missile, more ...

 

And it seems that Phoenix is no longer necessary.

[Trident]

It would make more sense to use them as a high-end ARM. Now that would be putting the H back in HARM :D Is any in-service airframe capable of launching them though?

[Sealpup]

Wouldnt be the first time an airplane-killing missile was turned into a SAM-killer. Anyone remember the Standard-ARM?

[HungaroJET]

Wouldnt be the first time an airplane-killing missile was turned into a SAM-killer. Anyone remember the Standard-ARM?

 

Yep...:) I remember ...AGM-78... I want it on the F-4 Phantom :D

[hitman]

Wouldnt be the first time an airplane-killing missile was turned into a SAM-killer. Anyone remember the Standard-ARM?

 

But how bout A2A kills with an AGM-88?

[hitman]

I hope your hot air balloon gets struck by lightning and lands in a sewage treatment pond.

[Corsair7662]

Is any in-service airframe capable of launching them though?

 

Integration

Currently, the only aircraft in the US Inventory capable of carrying the AIM-54 missile is the Northrup Grumman F-14 Tomcat family of fighters. This is a problem, because although it would be expensive to maintain that type of fighter and update that fighter to protect it’s self from future threats, overall it would be more cost effective than attempting to rewire other fighters to carry the EGM-54. Also, the Tomcat would not require the software changes to allow for the use of other weapons systems because it would become dedicated to the Electronic Strike (ES) Role.

 

 

Nothing other than the F-14 and only the F-14. Its the only aircraft with the airframe to fit the sort of missle requirements. It requires no upgrade but new software installation in its computers. All were would need to do is just mix in the F-15 and F/A-18 electronics and we would have our own brand new Air Superiority Keeper for another 20+ years!

 

The Iranians were just able to rig their cats to launch and kill a target with their new AIM-32C so how come we can't. We gave them our technology and supplies and see what they did with it, so we should be able to outsmart them and blow them out the window again.

[GGTharos]

The Iranians were just able to rig their cats to launch and kill a target with their new AIM-32C so how come we can't. We gave them our technology and supplies and see what they did with it, so we should be able to outsmart them and blow them out the window again.

 

Are you talking about the aborted HAWK modification?

 

And .. the Iranian cats still fly? :D

[Sealpup]

But how bout A2A kills with an AGM-88?

 

I dont know about killing something A2A with the HARM, but I think there is a pure passive version of the R-27 in exsistance somewhere. I guess it would be an AWACS killer?

[Brit_Radar_Dude]

Sure I read somewhere that they were problems with the motors on the AIM-54 due to the missiles age. If so, then a more extensive (and expensive) rebuild may be required rather than a simple warhead replacement / guidance update.

 

Warhead size - big enough for some of the tasks you listed, maybe too small for some of the others? Many military and telecomms systems are protected to a greater or lesser extent against EMP pulse damage.

 

All in all, I would think such a concept is a non-starter.

 

Teddy Roosevelt is quoted as saying "Speak softly and carry a big stick". With the loss of the AIM-54, the US has lost one of its bigger sticks and the beautiful F-14 that carried it. But then again its raision-d'etre ie. the hordes of Badgers, Bears and Backfires threatening shipping in the Atlantic have vanished too....