AIM-54 Phoenix vs Iris-T
The AIM-54 Phoenix and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. The AIM-54 Phoenix has a range of 190 km — 7.6x the Iris-T's 25 km. The AIM-54 Phoenix reaches 6,174 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The AIM-54 Phoenix carries a 61 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 470 kg for the AIM-54 Phoenix vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The AIM-54 Phoenix uses Semi-active and active radar homing guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. Unit cost is $0.477M for the AIM-54 Phoenix vs $0.47M for the Iris-T. The AIM-54 Phoenix entered service 31 years before the Iris-T (1974 vs 2005).
| 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 |
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| 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 |
| Range | 25.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 87 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.94 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the AIM-54 Phoenix or Iris-T?
The AIM-54 Phoenix has a longer range at 190 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the AIM-54 Phoenix or Iris-T?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the Iris-T's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the AIM-54 Phoenix or Iris-T?
The AIM-54 Phoenix carries a larger warhead at 61 kg compared to the Iris-T's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the AIM-54 Phoenix or Iris-T?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is heavier at 470 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the AIM-54 Phoenix or Iris-T?
The AIM-54 Phoenix is longer at 4.00 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the AIM-54 Phoenix and Iris-T use?
The AIM-54 Phoenix uses Semi-active and active radar homing guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the AIM-54 Phoenix or Iris-T?
The AIM-54 Phoenix entered service first in 1974, 31 years before the Iris-T which entered service in 2005.