vTF-77 Command Posted June 12 Posted June 12 AIM-54 Phoenix In the frost of the Cold War, as Soviet bombers loomed over the seas, the U.S. Navy sought a weapon to safeguard its carriers. At Hughes Aircraft, engineers crafted the AIM-54 Phoenix, a missile born to dominate the skies. Paired with the F-14 Tomcat, this 1,000-pound titan, stretching 13 feet, could strike six targets over 100 miles away, soaring at Mach 5 with an active radar seeker that hunted on its own. First launched in 1966, it joined the fleet by 1974, a symbol of American ingenuity. The Phoenix’s AWG-9 radar, synced with the Tomcat, could track a swarm of enemies, making it a fleet’s fiery shield. Pilots, calling “Fox Three,” unleashed it in training, awed by its reach. Iran’s F-14s, gifted before the 1979 revolution, reportedly wielded it in the Iran-Iraq War, claiming up to 60 kills, though proof remained elusive. For the U.S., the Phoenix stayed silent in conflicts like the 1991 Gulf War, its million-dollar cost and strict rules keeping it leashed. By 2004, as the F-14 retired, the Phoenix was shelved, outshined by the versatile AIM-120 AMRAAM. In 2007, a demilitarized Phoenix roared again, testing hypersonic flight for NASA at Mach 5. Its legacy endures in modern missiles, a testament to its vision. The AIM-54, named for rebirth, never burned bright in battle but left a trail of innovation, a guardian whose shadow still lingers in the skies. Key Features ● Range: Over 100 miles (185 km), with a maximum of ~99 mi (160 km) specified. ● Speed: Up to Mach 5. ● Weight: ~1,000 lb (500 kg), with a 135 lb warhead. ● Guidance: Semi-active radar for mid-course, active radar for terminal phase, with mid-course updates from the F-14’s radar. ● Launch: Ejection launch via LAU-93 or LAU-132 launchers, with a solid propellant rocket motor. Come shoot the phoenix Apply info on the website https://www.vtf77.com/?utm_source=discord&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=DCSF
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