AIM-120 AMRAAM vs AIM-54 Phoenix
The AIM-120 AMRAAM and the AIM-54 Phoenix are both Air-to-Air missiles. Range is 105 km for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 190 km for the AIM-54 Phoenix. The AIM-120 AMRAAM reaches 4,940 km/h vs 6,174 km/h for the AIM-54 Phoenix. The AIM-120 AMRAAM carries a 20 kg warhead vs 61 kg for the AIM-54 Phoenix. Launch weight is 161 kg for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs 470 kg for the AIM-54 Phoenix. The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance, while the AIM-54 Phoenix relies on Semi-active and active radar homing. Unit cost is $1.09M for the AIM-120 AMRAAM vs $0.477M for the AIM-54 Phoenix. The AIM-54 Phoenix entered service 17 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM (1974 vs 1991).
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1991, using active radar homing for terminal guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon / Hughes |
| Service year | 1991 |
| Number produced | 14,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.1 million |
| American air-to-air missile, entered service in 1974, uses semi-active and active radar homing. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Semi-active radar-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
| Service year | 1974 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| Range | 105.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 161.5 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 20.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.65 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 178 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink |
| Warhead type | High explosive blast-fragmentation |
| Range | 190.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 470 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 61.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 4.00 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 380 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Semi-active and active radar homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix?
The AIM-54 Phoenix has a longer range at 190 km compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 105 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's Mach 4.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix?
The AIM-54 Phoenix carries a larger warhead at 61 kg compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 20 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is heavier at 470 kg compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 161 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM's 3.65 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-54 Phoenix use?
The AIM-120 AMRAAM uses Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink guidance while the AIM-54 Phoenix uses Semi-active and active radar homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix?
The AIM-54 Phoenix entered service first in 1974, 17 years before the AIM-120 AMRAAM which entered service in 1991.