The missile has a low-level cruise trajectory with
over-the-horizon range, making it less susceptible to
radar detection. It uses active guidance and has
counter-countermeasure capability. The missile is
12 1/2 feet (151 inches) long and weighs 1,144 pounds.
Sidewinder
The AIM-9M Sidewinder guided missile (fig. 8-13)
is a short-range, supersonic, air-to-air weapon. It has
passive
infrared
target
detection,
proportional
navigation guidance, and a torque-balance control
system. The Sidewinder is comprised of five major
components. These are the guidance and control
section, the target detector section, the safety-arming
device, the warhead section, and the rocket motor
section. The missile is capable of being launched from
the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The only
assembly required at fleet level is the installation of the
wings and control fins. The Sidewinder is 9 1/2 feet
(113 inches) long, 5 inches in diameter, and weighs 190
pounds.
Phoenix
The AIM-54C/D Phoenix (fig. 8-14) is an air-to-air
guided missile. It employs active, semi-active, and
passive homing capabilities. The Phoenix is a
long-range air intercept missile launched from the F-14
Tomcat
aircraft. The missile may be launched in
multiple missile attacks against groups of aircraft or a
single aircraft. A maximum of six AIM-54C/D missiles
can
be
launched
from
a
single
aircraft
with
simultaneous
guidance
against
widely
separated
targets. In addition, the missile has dogfight, electronic
counter-countermeasures,
and
anti-cruise
missile
capabilities.
The Phoenix consists of the guidance section, the
armament section, the propulsion section, and the
control section. The only assembly required at fleet
level is the installation of wing and fin assemblies. The
missile is 13 feet (156 inches) long, 15 inches in
diameter, and weighs 1,020 pounds.
8-15
ANF0813
Figure 8-13.—AIM-9M Sidewinder guided missile.
GUIDANCE
ARMAMENT
PROPULSION
CONTROL
WINGS
ELECTRICAL
CONNECTOR F
FINS
RADOME
ANF0814
Figure 8-14.—AIM-54C/D Phoenix guided missile.
