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

[Josh_TN]

That's not true.

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

Reading the details, it seems like an exception that proved the rule. Technically possible, practically not something you whoever do.

 

[NMaude]

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.

 

[Josh_TN]

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.

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.

 

[NMaude]

Given the low numbers of AIM-54 indicated by the sources already posted, I do not see why.

I said on standby just in the CVBG gets attacked by a mass Tu-22M raid with a whole lot of AS-4 Kitchen AShMs being launched.

 

[Forest Green]

US Navy Presents FA-18F Super Hornet Equipped with New Long-Range AIM-174 Missile at Gray Flag 2024 Exercise

US Navy Presents FA-18F Super Hornet Equipped with New Long-Range AIM-174 Missile at Gray Flag 2024 Exercise

armyrecognition.com

 

[FighterJock]

Will they demonstrate an AIM-174 getting fired live or otherwise during the course of Grey Flag 2024?

 

[TomS]

That's not true.

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

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.

 

[TomS]

Will they demonstrate an AIM-174 getting fired live or otherwise during the course of Grey Flag 2024?

Gray Flag 2024 ended on September 23. I haven't seen anything saying there was life fire as part of it.

 

[FighterJock]

Pity that TomS, I would have thought the US Navy would have at least test fired one of the AIM-174s during the course of the exercise.

 

[TomS]

Pity that TomS, I would have thought the US Navy would have at least test fired one of the AIM-174s during the course of the exercise.

Gray Flag is a big multinational exercise. I'm sure they have had life fire tests of AIM-174 elsewhere.

 

[FighterJock]

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.

 

[TomS]

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.

Probably relatively hard to clear the live fire shots for public release. It takes time and really isn't anyone's top priority.

 

[FighterJock]

I can wait TomS.