The BEST AIM-54 Phoenix Variant
https://flyandwire.com/
Back in 2019, after a long and thorough study, I crowned the AIM-54A Mk60 as the best version of the Phoenix, thanks to its incredible rocket motor. A lot has changed since then, and the new variants are much closer in terms of performance.
This video tries to explain and satisfy the question of which version is better. Or, otherwise put, is there a "best" Phoenix version at all?
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:34 AIM-54 Variants
01:15 Rocket motors
01:33 Critical parameters
01:50 Issues of long-range missiles
02:14 AIM-54: how does it work?
02:40 Manual loft: advantages
03:08 Speed at impact
05:15 Separation, Apex, Peak speed
06:50 Low-flying targets
08:45 Offset
09:37 10° manual loft
11:02 Negative pitch employment
11:59 Conclusions
12:12 AIM-54A vs AIM-54C
12:30 Mk47 vs Mk60
14:48 Taking advantage of the results
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AIM-54 Loft, Part I: • Improving the AIM-54 performance - Part I:...
AIM-54 Loft, Part II: • Improving the AIM-54 performance - Part II...
Missile Performance Visualised: • DCS Missiles Performance Visualised