Changes

  The AIM-54 Phoenix missile is a long range, high speed missile.  It was designed by Hughes as  

  The AIM-54 Phoenix missile is a long range, high speed missile.  It was designed by Hughes as  

a missile to be carried by the General Dynamics [[F-111]],

a missile to be carried by the General Dynamics [[F-111]],

  but the F-111 program was cancelled  

  but the F-111 program was cancelled  

in 1969.  Instead, it was adapted by the US Navy to be carried on their new fleet defense  

in 1969.  Instead, it was adapted by the US Navy to be carried on their new fleet defense  

fighter, the Grumman [[F-14 Tomcat]].

fighter, the Grumman [[F-14 Tomcat]].

    

    

     The Phoenix was originally designed to kill, at long range, Soviet bombers, before they

     The Phoenix was originally designed to kill, at long range, Soviet bombers, before they

  could fire short range cruise missiles at the aircraft carrier or its escorts.  With that in mind, the Hughes designers gave it a range of 128 miles.  The Tomcat's radar, which could reach

  could fire short range cruise missiles at the aircraft carrier or its escorts.  With that in mind, the Hughes designers gave it a range of 128 miles.  The Tomcat's radar,

  133 miles ahead of the fighter and 174 wide, can track up to 20 targets at one time and pick

which could reach

  out four or six of them as targets for the Phoenix missiles.  The Tomcat fired the missile,  

  133 miles ahead of the fighter and 174 wide

, can track up to 20 targets at one time and pick

  out four or six of them as targets for the Phoenix missiles.  

  The Tomcat fired the missile,  

and from then on the missile's own radar took over, accelerating it at Mach 3.5 toward it's

and from then on the missile's own radar took over, accelerating it at Mach 3.5 toward it's

  target.  It was very difficult to avoid a Phoenix, because the guidance system was programmed

  target.  It was very difficult to avoid a Phoenix, because the guidance system was programmed