Which AIM-54C motor was used more IRL the MK47 or MK60?

[woodzwalk]

I've always just used the MK47 because it's the one I'm familiar with since it's been out longer, but does anyone know if there was one motor type that was used more IRL or were they both used roughly the same amount? were there time periods when one was used over the other or in different squadrons/carriers?

If you only have info on the AIM-54A motors that would be appreciated as well 

 

sorry if this has been asked before  

Edited August 10, 2023 by woodzwalk
spacing

[Elliot]

iirc the mark 60s were used against cruise missiles while the mark 47s were used against air targets (smokeless)

the extra thrust of the mark 60 makes it ideal against low and fast targets

the higher burn time of the mark 47 allows it to gain an edge at a higher altitude

 

in terms of irl, i dont think either were used

Edited August 11, 2023 by Elliot

[LanceCriminal86]

The Mk60 was an alternate source motor from a different manufacturer, that's all. I've seen zero documentation around about improved performance or specific motor use cases, only that the contract for the Mk60 motors didn't last long before it was canceled. Also rumors about the motors degrading over time but never did find any reports specifically on that.

[Nealius]

I recall reading somewhere here that the Charlies only had one motor in reality, and having both motor options was a DCS-ism. Any truth to that?

[LanceCriminal86]

1 hour ago, Nealius said:

I recall reading somewhere here that the Charlies only had one motor in reality, and having both motor options was a DCS-ism. Any truth to that?

There are photos around of Cs with white motor sections, I think there was some chatter that using up remaining motor sections could result in Mk60s still being in the mix whether carried or fired off in live shoots. Not certain when Mk60s were out of inventory but I can't seem to find where I saw the chatter too about the old motors in storage having issues with cracking and that having a potential contribution to the failures during DS. I think Mk60s were only produced through the late 70s so by '88 or so as Cs really started hitting the fleet any Mk60 motor sections would have been possibly 10 years or older. Finding actual details about the Mk60 is not easy, only that it was a subcontract and that the contract was later terminated.

[Nealius]

DS being Desert Storm? I thought Tomcats couldn't employ AIM-54 due to ROE requiring VID. I thought all the documented failures to launch were due to missed/incorrect procedures by the Ordies when loading or arming?

[LanceCriminal86]

19 hours ago, Nealius said:

DS being Desert Storm? I thought Tomcats couldn't employ AIM-54 due to ROE requiring VID. I thought all the documented failures to launch were due to missed/incorrect procedures by the Ordies when loading or arming?

The motor degradation may not have been related to the DS shots, I wish I could find where that was but haven't been able to. It may have more been an investigation of available motors and a lot came back as problematic.