Mini-Phoenix (AIM-54)

[JFC Fuller]

I decided to post this on the basis that Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius stated to the Senate Appropriation Defense Subcommittee in 1968 that Hughes did do some study work on a mini-version of the Phoenix (AIM-54). This got reported in various aerospace publications in 1968/69 as a 50-60 mile range missile, versus 90-100 miles for the Phoenix as built.

Senator Young. Don't you have a mini Phoenix missile that could be used on this aircraft?
Secretary Ignatius. We do not. The present Phoenix missile weighs approximately 1,000 pounds. This would be the missile that we would use on the F 111B or in the alternative VFX 1. The possibility at some later point in time of a smaller Phoenix missile, possibly of the order of [deleted] hundred pounds exists. But we do not have such a missile today. If this alternative airplane is the course of action that we take it would be configured to take [deleted] of the present Phoenix missiles. The same Phoenix missile system essentially that we have in the F 111B today.
Senator Young. Are you doing any research and development on the mini
Secretary Ignatius. To the best of my knowledge there is no authorized program for that although the contractor himself, I believe it is Hughes Aircraft, has done some preliminary work. I not aware of any funded program for this, Mr Young