RWR detects radio emissions of all possible radar systems. If your database contains the required info about the AWG-9, your RWR will not only tell you it is painting you but also when it has locked you and switched over to the targeting mode – which is a pre-requisite for any Phoenix shot..

Sure but it doesn’t warn of the actual missile, so you have no idea when it’s going to arrive until a little speck on the windscreen kills you.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Phoenix was capable of an ‘over the horizon’ shot. Which means for a large fraction of its flight, the plane would not provide mid course updates.

Never heard of OTH shots. Hell, where would the horizon even be at 30,000+ft? I guess it could be guided by a secondary platform though.

Where?

Hardly a proof.. could be ECM.. or mountains.. at 150 km you got no chance to tell.

I’m merely indicating how it could have been verified. I believe the missile itself will also tell you when it’s locked, so that combined with a disappearance from the radar of several friendly fighters within the next 10s would be a fairly good indicator.

150 kms out? I doubt it. I would love to know how exactly that kill was confirmed? Lt Ahlan seems to have had very good eyesight?

Wreckage found later, disappearance from radar.

They can, but the firing position is different, their guidance is different. Don’t know a lot about these SAMs, especially the Hawks, which surprisingly enough I have seen up close more times than I could count.

I think the phoenix has a proximity fuse, but perhaps not fine tuned enough for a small target.

Their guidance is SARH,which is generally considered worse than ARH.

You are on your own. Do you understand mortal?