AIM-54 Phoenix missile

Also known as

AIM-54
Phoenix
AIM-54A Phoenix
AIM-54C Phoenix

The Hughes AIM-54 Phoenix was the U.S. Navy's long-range air-to-air missile for the F-14 Tomcat fleet-defense role. NAVAIR described it as the Navy's only long-range air-to-air missile, and the missile's only operational carrier was the F-14.

AIM-54 Phoenix missile, Air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: AIM-54 Phoenix in flight - Wikimedia Commons

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Hughes Aircraft Co.Raytheon Co.
Type: Air-to-air missile
Service note: Cold War and post-Cold War service
Unit cost: $477,131
Produced: 1970-1993

air-to-air guided missile radar-guided

Specifications

Role: Long-range air-to-air missile
Guidance: Semi-active radar homing with terminal active radar homing
Range: More than 100 nautical miles
Length: 13 ft
Weight: 1,024 lb
Diameter: 15 in

Variants

AIM-54A
AIM-54B
AIM-54C
AIM-54C+ High Power Phoenix

Carrier Aircraft

NAVAIR identifies the F-14 Tomcat as the Phoenix missile's only operational carrier.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

F-14 Tomcat, Carrier-based air superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVs

Carrier-based fighter

NAVAIR says the F-14 Tomcat was the only operational aircraft that carried the AIM-54 Phoenix.

Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR

Timeline

AIM-54 Phoenix missile Key Events

Dec 11, 1962
Phoenix program selected
Hughes was selected to develop, fabricate, and test the Phoenix missile system for the F-111B program.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR
Feb 3, 1969
F-14 contract awarded
Grumman received the contract for the F-14A fighter and the Phoenix missile carriage system.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR
Dec 1, 1970
AIM-54A production contract
The production contract for the AIM-54A was awarded to Hughes.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR
Apr 28, 1972
First F-14 launch
The AIM-54A made its first launch from an F-14A.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR
Jan 1, 1974
Fleet service begins
The AIM-54A entered U.S. Navy service and the missile became operational with the F-14 fleet.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR
Jul 1, 1988
AIM-54C enters service
The AIM-54C ECCM/Sealed version entered service.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR
Sep 30, 2004
Phoenix divestment completed
The Phoenix missile was fully divested from U.S. Navy inventory.
Sources: AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIR

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: U.S. Navy service from 1974 to 2004; carried only by the F-14 Tomcat.

Media

AIM-54 Phoenix missile Images

AIM-54 Phoenix missile, Air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: AIM-54 Phoenix on plane - Wikimedia Commons

AIM-54 Phoenix missile, Air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Phoenix missile at Grumman Memorial Park - Wikimedia Commons

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Sources

AIM-54 Phoenix Missile - NAVAIRPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AIM-54 Phoenix background, Hughes and Raytheon contractor context, development chronology, guidance, range, service dates, and the F-14 Tomcat as the only operational carrier. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AIM-54 Phoenix in flight - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the AIM-54 Phoenix in flight file used on the entry. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AIM-54 Phoenix on plane - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the AIM-54 Phoenix on plane file used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Phoenix missile at Grumman Memorial Park - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the museum display image of the Phoenix missile used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-27