The atmosphere, in reality as in DCS, is not a monolithic, immutable, entity. Factors such as the altitude and weather affect, sometimes dramatically, aircraft and missiles alike. In this discussion, I will focus on the altitude, and try to show why it matters so much and how a missile can benefit, or suffer, from altitude changes.
The last chapter of the study about the “new” AIM-54 compares the Phoenix to its de facto successor: the AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM.
The scenario used is the same dynamic mission used for chapter VI, and includes tests from 35,000ft against targets at 15,000ft.
The penultimate video of this series, the “new” AIM-54 Phoenix is tested against manoeuvring targets with speeds changing from M.7 to M1.6, up to 9G pulled, and different altitudes. The results are surprising.
One of the issues with the chapters discussed so far is how static they are. Although they provide a good picture of the “new” AIM-54 Phoenix, this study would be relatively incomplete without testing more complex situations.
Here is the first scenario: “zero-cut” or 180 HCA / DTG.
The updated AIM-54 “resets” the differences between different rocket motors. Since they were a means to differentiate the supply, and the Mk60 ceased production in the late 70s, this decision makes a lot of sense, in my opinion.
Part II highlighted how the altitude reached by the new missile is lower, and manual loft compensates for this drawback. Ergo, the new missile takes full advantage of the reduced drag and improved rocket motor when employed in such a manner.
