Quoted:
Quoted:
ETA: How many Phoenix missiles have been fired in anger? There can't have been very many. |
I think the answer is zero. |
It is estimated that during the Iran-Iraq war 1980-1988, from reports from pilots on both sides, guncamera/TISEO films, examination of wreckage, local and foreign intelligence and other sources, that on total the IRIAF F-14As scored 130 confirmed and 23 probable aerial victories. Iran launched possibly 70 to 90 AIM-54A missiles, and 60-70 of those scored. In one instance four Iraqi fighters were shot down by a single Phoenix. Twice two Iraqi fighters were destroyed with a single missile.
All in all, almost 90 % of the AIM-54A missiles fired by Iranian F-14s in combat were used against Iraqi fighters and fighter-bombers. Only about a dozen victories by AIM-54s were against fast, highflying targets like MiG-25 or Tu-22. This performance was surprising, especially as the missile was designed for fleet defence, against large targets, not nimble fighters.
Iranian F-14 pilot, Major Ali, made following conclusion from the Iranian use of F-14s and Phoenix missiles:
"When I look back at our service record with the jet I look beyond its exceptional performance as purely an interceptor. We used it to escort fighters and tankers and flew many radar-reconnaissance missions as mini-AWACS for the protection of others in the air and on the ground. No air defence system has even proven so effective." - - Iranian F-14 pilots also regularly engaged superior enemy forces in traditional dogfights, using their cannon and Sidewinder missiles to good effect.
Other than the possible Iranian firings, the only confirmed combat use of the Phoenix was on January 5, 1999 by two F-14Ds engaging two Iraqi MiG-25s, and on September 9 the same year against an Iraqi MiG-23. The missiles missed on both occasions.