AIM-174 Very Long Range AAM (SM-6)

Manuducati said:
That's not true.
theaviationgeekclub.com

US Navy F-14 crew members explain how you could land a Tomcat with a full load of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles on the aircraft carrier - The Aviation Geek Club

US Navy F-14 crew members explain how you could land a Tomcat with a full load of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles on the aircraft carrier
theaviationgeekclub.com theaviationgeekclub.com
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Reading the details, it seems like an exception that proved the rule. Technically possible, practically not something you whoever do.
 
I suspect what would've happened if DEFCON1 had been reached some of the F-14s would've been on standby on the CVN's deck with a full load of six AIM-54s ready to launch on a few minutes notice.
 
NMaude said:
I suspect what would've happened if DEFCON1 had been reached some of the F-14s would've been on standby on the CVN's deck with a full load of six AIM-54s ready to launch on a few minutes notice.
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Given the low numbers of AIM-54 indicated by the sources already posted, I do not see why. The primary target of Phoenix was recon/path finder bombers in much smaller numbers, and if the raid itself had to engaged I question the motivation of MV-AF pilots to keep flying towards their targets after receiving a dozen or two AAMs. A four tap of AIM-54 followed by a pair of AIM7 at what was left seems perfectly threatening, without such a narrow window of bring back weight.
 
Will they demonstrate an AIM-174 getting fired live or otherwise during the course of Grey Flag 2024?
 
Manuducati said:
That's not true.
theaviationgeekclub.com

US Navy F-14 crew members explain how you could land a Tomcat with a full load of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles on the aircraft carrier - The Aviation Geek Club

US Navy F-14 crew members explain how you could land a Tomcat with a full load of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles on the aircraft carrier
theaviationgeekclub.com theaviationgeekclub.com
Click to expand...

OK, it was barely within limits with fuel below normal safety levels. The same article points out how rare it was to fly with six, or even four.
 
FighterJock said:
So why the lack of photos showing the launching of AIM-174s? I would love to see at least one launch photo of the AIM-174 from a Super Hornet.
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Probably relatively hard to clear the live fire shots for public release. It takes time and really isn't anyone's top priority.
 

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Hilarious that the crew names on the bird are for a VADM and CAPT. How often do they get to go flying, really?
 
It has occurred to me that there is a way to launch an AIM-174B with the Mk-72 launch-booster attached and that's to use a variation of the proposed LM ALHTK which used IIRC a modified F-15 600 USGallon drop-tank as a launch-pod.
 
NMaude said:
It has occurred to me that there is a way to launch an AIM-174B with the Mk-72 launch-booster attached and that's to use a variation of the proposed LM ALHTK which used IIRC a modified F-15 600 USGallon drop-tank as a launch-pod.
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I think there would be all sorts of suspension, CoG, drag, and separation issues with such a configuration. Plus it would nearly double the launch weight and it is not clear to me the missile would be structurally/thermally able to handle the burnout speed that an air launch + mk72 booster impart.

Plus I cannot imagine there is any pressing need.
 
Josh_TN said:
I think there would be all sorts of suspension, CoG, drag, and separation issues with such a configuration.
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There'd likely be some issues but I have no doubt they could be resolved, now as to drag the way I understand how the ALHTK pod works as that there are two ventral doors that opened just before launch (The missile is then ejected) and after the missile has been launched the pod is jettisoned.

Josh_TN said:
it is not clear to me the missile would be structurally/thermally able to handle the burnout speed that an air launch + mk72 booster impart.
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The AIM-174B in this configuration would no doubt be launched at high altitude (40,000-50,000Ft) and by the time its' Mk-104 DTRM burnout out it would be at ~100,000-110,000Ft high (Like the AIM-54 it would be launched on a lofted semi-ballistic trajectory) where the air is very thin.

Josh_TN said:
Plus I cannot imagine there is any pressing need.
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Just pointing out how it could be done but there are other alternative methods that I've thought of for an air-launched SM-6 with the full stack.
 
It should be noted that SM-6 is much larger and heavier than PAC-3, even without the booster. A fuel tank type store is out of the question.
 
NMaude said:
Have you seen how big an F-15's 600-gallon drop-tank is? They're huge.
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I cannot find a hard length figure for the 600 gallon but it appears the 300 is ~13 feet long. SM-6 sans booster is already longer than that. The whole stack approaches 20 feet.
 
Josh_TN said:
I cannot find a hard length figure for the 600 gallon but it appears the 300 is ~13 feet long. SM-6 sans booster is already longer than that. The whole stack approaches 20 feet.
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Well in that case if such an approach were used involving a modified 600 gallon drop-tank then it would a matter of adding a cylinder-section to stretch it.
 
Josh_TN said:
I cannot find a hard length figure for the 600 gallon but it appears the 300 is ~13 feet long. SM-6 sans booster is already longer than that. The whole stack approaches 20 feet.
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F-15 600-gallon tanks

Does anyone have access to detailed dimensional data and/or walk around type photos of the F-15 style tanks? The ones found in various 1/48 kits vary wildly in shape and dimension. Id like to know which, if any, are accurate.
www.arcforums.com www.arcforums.com

overall tank length is 260 inches and the diameter is 32.6 inches.
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TomS said:

F-15 600-gallon tanks

Does anyone have access to detailed dimensional data and/or walk around type photos of the F-15 style tanks? The ones found in various 1/48 kits vary wildly in shape and dimension. Id like to know which, if any, are accurate.
www.arcforums.com www.arcforums.com
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In other words a suitably modified 600 gallon drop-tank as a missile launch-pod can fit a full SM-3 stack.
 

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