XAAM-N-11 for TFX Phoenix Design Proposal Competition

[Pioneer]

[Searched forum for this missile, but to no avail. So if it already exists, please test and adjust Admin.]

I stumbled upon this picture of the cutaway desktop model of the Grumman Design 327 TFX(N) Missile at https://www.lotsearch.net/lot/grumman-tfx-n-cutaway-missile-design-model-47376023

I don't know anything of the project or for that matter if it was a air-to-air or air-to-air surface missile? But going by it's designation of TFX(N), I'm assuming it could have been intended to have armed the General Dynamics/Grumman F-111B?

Regards
Pioneer

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

G-327 is known to have been a missile study. Looks like AIM-54 rival airframe. Auction text:

GRUMMAN TFX(N) CUTAWAY MISSILE DESIGN MODEL. Model in wood and metal, with cutaway details and labeled sub-assemblies, on painted wooden stand, with aluminum plaque engraved with Grumman logo, "TFX(N) Missile — Design 327" and the words "Confidential" at top and bottom, 39 inches x approximately 3-1/2 inches diameter main fuselage, in custom wooden box. Provenance: Manufactured by a major aerospace model shop. In February 1961 Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara directed the Air Force and Navy to undertake a joint effort to develop an aircraft to meet both of their requirements. Dubbed the Tactical Fighter Experiment (TFX), the contract for what was to become the F-111 was awarded to General Dynamics, opening up an opportunity for design of weapons systems for the new aircraft by other contractors. This design would probably have been an air-to-air missile proposal for the F-111. Disputes between Air Force and Navy requirements for the F-111A and F-111B led to the abandonment of the latter, and the eventual development of the F14 Tomcat by Grumman to meet the Navy's requirement.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

A third TFX Navy Missile? ASM? Or a really bad Bendix Eagle?

 

[starviking]

A third TFX Navy Missile? ASM? Or a really bad Bendix Eagle?

Early thoughts on the AGM-53 Condor?

 

[Pioneer]

A third TFX Navy Missile? ASM? Or a really bad Bendix Eagle?

Thanks Overscan, I've seen this picture before and thought to my self "is that missile for real or is someone pulling my chain?"

Regards
Pioneer

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

I'd forgotten that Grumman built the Bendix-designed Eagle.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Though most of the program's funding
was immediately withdrawn, enough
remained for Grumman and Bendix to continue
the development of the basic Eagle
system. Bendix eventually bowed out of the
program, though not before leaving Grumman
with most of what it had learned and
developed.
When Hughes and Grumman joined
forces shortly afterwards, this same
technology base was transferred to the
former and utilized as a guideline for
dleveloping the air-to-air weapon system that
was eventually to serve as the fighting might
behind the upcoming TFX.
By the time of the TFX program's birth,
Grumman and Hughes were well along on
the development of the new air-to-air missile.
In fact, it had already progressed to where
the Navy felt justified in awarding Hughes a
contract. This funding was for what was to
become known as the AWG-9 radar system
and a greatly improved Bendix Eagle called
the (AAM-N-11) AIM-54 Phoenix.

From Aero Series 29 - General Dynamics F-111 by Jay Miller.

I'd bet this missile design is the missing link from Eagle to Phoenix.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

So, here we have the story of how Phoenix rose from the ashes of the Eagle.

For the original AAM-N-10 Eagle requirement there were multiple bids. We know of Bendix / Grumman,

and Hughes / Vought teams.

Bendix / Grumman's bid won.

Once Eagle was cancelled along with the Missileer, the US Navy launched a new competition for a missile that would arm the F-111B. This was essentially regarded as an Eagle minus the second stage booster.

RFPs were sent out in February 1962 for the AAM-N-11 (AIM-54)

Four teams were expected to bid - Bendix, Hughes, Raytheon/LTV/IBM and Grumman/GD Pomona - with proposals being received in April 1962.

Note Grumman split from Bendix to offer a design with GD Pomona, while LTV split from Hughes to work with Raytheon. Bendix presumably proposed something similar to an AAM-N-10 first stage, with Hughes proposing something quite similar to their losing Eagle design.

Grumman's Design 327:

By May, only Hughes and Raytheon were still in the running. In August, Hughes received the contract for the AIM-54.


Source:

https://www.navair.navy.mil/foia/sites/g/files/jejdrs566/files/document/%5Bfilename%5D/FINAL%20VERSION%20Thesis_An%20Outisider%27s%20View%20of%20the%20Phoenix%202021-010204_0.pdf

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Four companies—Bendix, Grumman, Hughes and Raytheon—are expected to submit proposals this month for development of 60 mi range air-to-air
missile for Navy version of the TFX (AWST Mar, 19, p. 23‘). General Dynamics Pomona is working with Grumman; Ling-Temco—Vought and International
Business Machines Corp. are associated with Raytheon. Air Force is expected to develop another missile for its version of the TFX designed
for a high altitude intercept mission.

AWST 02 April 1962

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

LTV/Raytheon proposal was designated V-452 by Vought. Maybe our intrepid Vought researchers might have something.

"1961 US Navy XAAM-N-11 missile project for TFX program"

 

[sferrin]

Eagle looks like a mini Nike Hercules.

 

[NMaude]

Eagle looks like a mini Nike Hercules.

Sort of at first glance but then looking a bit longer it looks more like a mini Nike Zeus B.

Edit: I don't know why I mentioned Nike Zeus B, I meant Nike Zeus A

 

[sferrin]

Sort of at first glance but then looking a bit longer it looks more like a mini Nike Zeus B.

Zeus B



Hercules



Eagle

 

[NMaude]

Zeus B



Hercules

View attachment 726561

D'oh! Homer Simpson moment, for some reason I thought Zeus B but meant Zeus A, it was the booster I suspect as both variants used the same launch-booster.