Credit
Don S. Montgomery, USN · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified
FORCETALLY
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At a glance
AIM-54 Phoenixlarger figure on 3 of 3
Python (missile)larger figure on 0 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Length
Single source12 ft 9 + 1 ⁄ 2 in (3.9 m)[source]
Length
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | AIM-54 Phoenix | Python (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Long range BVR air-to-air missile[source] | Short-range air-to-air missile[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | Israel[source] |
| In service | 1974–present[source] | — |
| Used by | United States Navy (former) Iranian Air Force[source] | See operators[source] |
3.1 metres (10 feet )[source]
Maximum; AIM-54A/B - Mach 4.3 (
Single sourceMaximum; ) AIM-54C – Mach 5 (
Single sourceMaximum; Maximum speed · source measurement 3
Single sourceMaximum; Maximum speed · source measurement 4
Single sourceAIM-54A/B - Mach 4.3 (1,460 m/s; 4,800 ft/s) AIM-54C – Mach 5 (1,700 m/s; 5,600 ft/s)[source]
Mach 4[source]
Warhead weight
Single source133 lb (60.33 kg)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Designer |
|---|
Hughes Aircraft Company[source] |
| — |
| Designed | 1960–1966[source] | — |
|---|
| Manufacturer | Hughes Aircraft Company Raytheon Corporation[source] | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems[source] |
|---|
| Unit cost | US$ 477,131 (1974 FY)[source] | Shafrir series: Shafrir-1: US$20,000[source] |
|---|
| Produced | 1966-1993[source] | Shafrir series: 1961–1983 Python series: 1980–present[source] |
|---|
| Warhead | AIM-54A/B - HE continuous rod AIM-54C – HE Mk 82; WDU‐29/B continuous rod[source] | 11 kg (24 lb 4 oz)[source] |
|---|
| Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuze[source] | proximity[source] |
|---|
| Engine | Solid propellant rocket motor[source] | solid fuel rocket motor[source] |
|---|
| Flight ceiling | 103,500 ft (31.5 km)[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | Semi-active radar homing and terminal phase active radar homing[source] | infrared homing + 320×240 pixel dual waveband electro-optical imaging seeker, lock on after launch, with infrared counter-counter-measures (IRCCM)[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | Grumman F-14 Tomcat[source] | Aircraft: BAE Sea Harrier CASA C-101 Aviojet F-4E Kurnass 2000 F-5E/F Tiger-II McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Dassault Mirage III Dassault Mirage 5 Dassault Mirage 2000 Eurofighter Typhoon IAI Nesher/Dagger/Finder IAI Kfir HAL Tejas KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Leonardo M-346FA Master Saab JAS 39 Gripen Sukhoi Su-30MKI Su-25KM Scorpion[source] |
|---|
| References | Janes[source] | — |
|---|
| Wars | — | Yom Kippur War Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War 2006 Lebanon War[source] |
|---|
| Flight altitude | — | N/A[source] |
|---|
| Reported operators |
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