This is a solid-fuel, air-to-air, long-range Phoenix tactical missile, designated AIM 54A. U.S. Navy and Marines Corps aircraft, such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, could fire six missiles simultaneously at different targets and in all weather conditions. Capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound, the Phoenix had a radar homing capability and an operational range of 100 miles.
The Navy and Marines Corps retired the Phoenix, a derivative of the earlier Falcon family of air-to-air missiles, in 2004, after thirty years of service.
Transferred to NASM from the U.S. Navy Air Systems Command in 1982.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
Hughes Aircraft Co.
Physical Description
Cylindrical with sharp ogival nose; cruciform, rectangular rear fins; long, trapezoidal, cruciform mid-body wings. Overall, white except for one blue stripe around middle, two blue stripes around top of fins in center of missile, and one blue strip around rear fin. Black lettering and numbers around warhead, guidance section, and main body or motor section. The missile shown here is just the shell without its internal components.
Dimensions
3-D: 401.3 × 68.6 × 68.6cm, 124.3kg (13 ft. 2 in. × 2 ft. 3 in. × 2 ft. 3 in., 274lb.)
Materials
Honeycomb material with metals
Inventory Number
A19820319000
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Navy
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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