Simultaneous attack with six AIM-54As…

I might now become enoying, but for those interested in F-14s and AIM-54s, and that Phoenix simultaneous six-target capability trial (rather a four-target capability today) – which was mentioned several times in different discussions – I found following description in Mike Spick’s “F-14”. I think it is quite a proof for F-14s ability to smash not only single or two-ship formations, but larger and well spread out strike-packages as well:

“The simultaneous six target attack capability has been tested only once, on November 21, 1971 (my notice: this was published in 1983, and I don’t know if anybody tried it again, certainly, Russians never tried anything similar with MiG-31). The simulated raid consisted of three QT-33s, and three BQM-34s, auggumented to fighter size and spread over a 15nm (27km) frontage, at altitudes ranging from 22.000 to 24.000ft (6.700 – 7.300m) and at speeds of between Mach 0.6 and Mach 1.1.”

My notice: this was published in 1983, and I don’t know if the USN tried it again (probably not), certainly, nobody else (not even Russians with MiG-31) tried something similar.

“Confronting them was an F-14A flown by Cdr John R. Wilson Jr., Flight Test Officer of the F-14 Joint Evaluation Team, with Lt.Cdr. Jack Hawver in the back seat.”

Means, while certainly directly involved in the programme both were active officers of the VF-32 at the time. Don’t forget, that first two USN Tomcat-squadrons (VF-1 and VF-2) squadrons reached IOC only after this test, and went to the sea aboard USS Enterprise in late 1974.

“At an altitude of 28.400ft (8.660m) and a speed of Mach 0.78, they detected the drones from ranges varying between 85 and 115nm (157 – 212km). The crew selected the first three targets, while the second three priorities were as recommended by the AWG-9 computer. The first Phoenix was launched from a distance of 31nm (57km) and the other five followed within the space of 38 seconds, the shortest interval between launches being 3.5 seconds. In what must be one of the most expensive air-t-air missile tests ever conducted, four direct hits were scored, while a missile antena malfunction caused one miss, and the failure of the augementation in one of the drones caused both the Tomcat’s AWG-9 and the AIM-54 aimed at it to break lock. This last was subsequently declared a “no-test”, which gave an 80% success rate for the test.”

My remark, missed were one BQM-34, which operated at 24.000ft and Mach 0.8, and which flew on a parabolic route far to the starboard side and outside the whole “strike-package” (that’s the one which was declared “no-test”) and one of two QT-33s, which flew “welded-wing” in the middle of the “strike-package” (if I understood some other descriptions of that test, it was the “wingman” which came away).

Missiles which hit, scored direct hits, not “passed within the lethal distance” or something else: drones were bloted out of the sky. The task of the crew was to destignate 50% of the targets, and let the computer do the rest, which might lead to at least one miss.

Regarding tests against violently manoeuvering targets, in one case one AIM-54A was fired against an QF-86 from a range of 9.5nm (17.6km, almost within WVR, and far inside the “minimum” range of Phoenixes). The QF-86 pulled a 6G/174° turn (after the missile was launched) to break the radar lock, but the Phoenix pulled 16Gs and scored a direct hit.

Regarding ECCM capability trials, in one case two Tomcats intercepted one QF-9 drone, which simulated attacking fighter at Mach 0.8 and 30.600 feet (9.300m) and was follwoed by BQM-34A equipped with noise jammer, which flew at Mach 0.8 and 35.500ft (10.800m), means: standard formations for such operations. Tomcats closed at Mach 0.8 and 30.000ft (9.150m) and fired two Phoenixes nine seconds appart. The first missile scored a direct hit at the QF-9 at a distance of 25nm (45km) and the second passed within a lethal distance of the BQM-34 at a distance of 47nm (87km).

Of course, one should also not forget the absolute record breaker: In April 1973 one F-14A, flying at Mach 1.5 and 44.000ft (13.400m) intercepted a BMQ-34E drone, which simulated a Tu-22M bomber, flying at Mach 1.5 and 50.000ft (15.250m), and using noise jamming. The Tomcat acquired the target in TWS mode at 132nm (245km) range, and one Phoenix was launched at 110nm (204km) range. The missile soared to 103.500ft (31.500m) before plunging down to impact the target 72.5nm (134km) from the launch point. That was the longest range over which any AAM ever scored a hit, regardless of testing or combat.