Looks like the F-15 Has a New Trick

[wpod]

At over one million a missile, in any long war how will be able to afford or make enough missiles.

The taxpayers pockets are bottomless. Price is no object.

 

[Dave Hess]

Quote:
The missile required the AWG-9 radar. They were a system. You can't put a Phoenix on anything else. The AWG-9 tracked up to 24 targets, and firing (either pilot, or RIO, could fire, but generally, the SOP was to have the RIO do the selecting and shooting) was based on the targets that were selected, in priority order, either automatically or manually. The missile was initially guided by a data link from the AWG-9. It flew towards the target, at a ludicrous altitude, and would reach a ludicrous speed. At a certain time to go until intercept, the missile went "active" - turning on it's own radar and tracking the target to intercept. No further support needed from the fighter or the AWG-9.


Very impressive technology consider how long ago it was designed and produced.
Tracking up to 24 targets ! ? ! ?

Super crazy smart engineers to get this radar to work properly.

 

[y_p_w]

Quote:
The missile required the AWG-9 radar. They were a system. You can't put a Phoenix on anything else. The AWG-9 tracked up to 24 targets, and firing (either pilot, or RIO, could fire, but generally, the SOP was to have the RIO do the selecting and shooting) was based on the targets that were selected, in priority order, either automatically or manually. The missile was initially guided by a data link from the AWG-9. It flew towards the target, at a ludicrous altitude, and would reach a ludicrous speed. At a certain time to go until intercept, the missile went "active" - turning on it's own radar and tracking the target to intercept. No further support needed from the fighter or the AWG-9.


Very impressive technology consider how long ago it was designed and produced.
Tracking up to 24 targets ! ? ! ?

It was also analog in nature. Not sure how they managed things like alphanumerics on the tactical display, although I suppose it was similar to on-screen displays on a VCR.