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It was very difficult to avoid a Phoenix, because the guidance system was programmed to take the missile up high, out of range of the target's radar, and then send it down at nearly Mach 4.  The F-14 typically carried four Phoenixes and two [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles.  

It was very difficult to avoid a Phoenix, because the guidance system was programmed to take the missile up high, out of range of the target's radar, and then send it down at nearly Mach 4.  The F-14 typically carried four Phoenixes and two [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] missiles.  

    

    

Besides the US Navy, [[Iran]] is the only other operator of the Phoenix.  In 1976, the [[Grumman|Grumman Corporation]] sold Iran 80 Tomcats and 633 Phoenix missiles.  The missile performed with great renown in the Iranian Air Force.  It shot down many Iraqi aircraft in the [[Iran-Iraq War]], including eleven [[MiG-25]]s and five Tu-22 bombers.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_210.shtml Iranian Air-to-Air Victories, 1976-81]</ref><ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_211.shtml Iranian Air-to-Air Victories, 1982-Today]</ref>  In one engagement in January 1981, a Phoenix was fired at a flight of MiG-23s on a bombing mission.  The missile hit the lead plane, and the explosion downed two other MiGs and damaged the fourth, resulting in three kills for one missile.  Approximately half of the victories credited to F-14s in the war fell to Phoenixes.  The Iranian Air Force still operates the AIM-54.   

Besides the US Navy, [[Iran]] is the only other operator of the Phoenix.  In 1976, the [[Grumman|Grumman Corporation]] sold Iran 80 Tomcats and 633 Phoenix missiles.  The missile performed with great renown in the Iranian Air Force.  It shot down many Iraqi aircraft in the [[Iran-Iraq War]], including eleven [[MiG-25]]s and five Tu-22 bombers.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_210.shtml Iranian Air-to-Air Victories, 1976-81]</ref><ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_211.shtml Iranian Air-to-Air Victories, 1982-Today]</ref>  In one engagement in January 1981, a Phoenix was fired at a flight of [[MiG-23]]s on a bombing mission.  The missile hit the lead plane, and the explosion downed two other MiGs and damaged the fourth, resulting in three kills for one missile.  Approximately half of the victories credited to F-14s in the war fell to Phoenixes.  The Iranian Air Force still operates the AIM-54.   

The missile is known to [[NATO]] forces under the code name "Fox 3."

The missile is known to [[NATO]] forces under the code name "Fox 3."