I just don't understand the US Military decision makers...

Post by **Balthagor** » Oct 06 2004

I got a headline today from a military mailings list;

US Navy Retires AIM-54 Phoenix Missile

WHY!?! What else will the use for such true BVR engagments? I can't get the entire article without subscribing to the site (which rarely has a headline I can't find info on elsewhere) but thought I'd see if anyone else has heard about this...

tkobo · Post by **tkobo** » Oct 06 2004

The newest versions .The AIM-120C-7 was successfully tested against combat-realistic targets in August and September 2003, and is currently planned for 2004.

The aim-120c also comes on a 4, 5and 6 variant.All of which have a longer range(up to 50%more),better tracking,better eccm and can be used by more aircraft.
The 6 (and lower)version is already in production.

Also the Aim 120-D is supposed to be ahead of schedule also,its due in 2008 circa.

Post by **Balthagor** » Oct 06 2004

Thanks for the reply, but it seems to have given me more questions than answers. All records I have for the AIM-120 max out @ 75km. The only references I can find to a AIM-120c-7 model are in entries for an AIM-152 missile* that was never produced but would have had a 185km range. I've also seen mentions of an AMRAAM C-8 that supposedly would be targeted for 2006 to replace the AIM-54. so far I've seen nothing that touches the Phoenix's 204km. I do recognize that it's an older missile with lower quality electronics and the advantage of a missile that fits on more than just the F-14 would make sense, but currently in our equipment file the F-14 is the longest reaching plane in the game.

* http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/aaam.htm
* http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/

tkobo · Post by **tkobo** » Oct 06 2004

http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military ... _1_n.shtml

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_news_article1126.html

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-120.html

If your looking for a solid range number for the aim 120-c, I dont think i can help atm.The only ranges i can remember seeing solid numbers on are the A and B variant and some early C variants.Nothing on the c-7.

Ive heard alot of speculation on the range of the c-7 variant ,ranging from 100nm to +50% of the aim 54(which would be about 150nms).But its nowhere near solid info.

The aim-152(AAAM) was canceled in the early 90s i think.

Its my understanding that the AMRAAM C-8 is really called the AMRAAM D now.

Game wise, i think you'd be safe just making the aim 120c-7 the same range as the aim 54.
You can always change it when better info is available.
The other advantages of the C-7 variant would still make it a better missile choice than the aim-54,even if the ranges are about the same.

Aurore · Post by **Aurore** » Oct 22 2004

Post by **Balthagor** » Nov 09 2004

Just an update to this, I've made a few changes. F-14s now have a range of 185km instead of 204km assuming that in the last 20km the Phoenix's lack of ability to get a solid hit makes it near zero. Also, any AMRAAM equiped units in the 101+ tech range are now 100km range instead of 75. Finally, as of 105 the tech BVR Air to Air missiles gives access to ranges of 145km which is in relation to the latest AMRAAM versions.

red · Post by **red** » Nov 09 2004

Does BVR Air to Air Missiles upgrade any units?

tkobo · Post by **tkobo** » Nov 09 2004

Seems reasonable.

What are the ranges for the russian equivalents ?

Post by **Balthagor** » Nov 10 2004

BVR does not change stats of existing equipment, it is a unit pre-req for future units (most aicraft will have a post-BVR version that can be researched and then existing units can be upgraded).

I've used the same ranges for future Russian missiles since any range difference would simply be too big an advantage but the first BVR equiped units come in 2 tech years later than the US ones.

tkobo · Post by **tkobo** » Nov 10 2004

Well, again. Id' say "works for me".