- This article is about Pathfinder's missile system. For the ship with the same name, see Phoenix (spacecraft). For the space station that ship was turned to, see Phoenix (space station).
The AIM-54 Phoenix is a type of long-range air-to-air missile developed and used by the United States.
History[]
The space variant of the C-variant of the Phoenix had been in development for several years prior to 1983 at Vandenberg Air Force Base for use on a military shuttle.[1] The missiles were modified with larger fuselages and RCS thrusters for maneuvering in space.[2]
The Phoenix would see its first deployment on the Pathfinder shuttle, with four of the missiles being fitted to a retractable launcher situated in the cargo bay. A live fire exercise was planned, but it was postponed after Pathfinder's maiden mission was shifted up to escort Sea Dragon 17 to the Moon.[3]
The missiles were to be used against the Soviet shuttle Buran if it attacked Sea Dragon or Pathfinder, but they were instead used to destroy Sea Dragon to prevent a wider conflict on Earth.[2]
Gallery[]
Behind the scenes[]
- Canonically, the Phoenix missiles mounted on Pathfinder are variants of the AIM-54C. However, the AIM-54C did not enter widespread service until 1986 in real life, meaning it is an anachronism or the C-variant was developed earlier in For All Mankind.
External links[]
AIM-54 Phoenix on Wikipedia
References
- ↑ For All Mankind TV series, season 2, episode 8, "And Here's to You"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 For All Mankind TV series, season 2, episode 10, "The Grey"
- ↑ For All Mankind TV series, season 2, episode 9, "Triage"