AIM-54C

Key differences & features:

• Upgraded to digital electronics (vs. analog in AIM-54A), improving reliability and performance against low/high-altitude threats.
• Extended range to ~100 nautical miles (180km)
• Increased speed to Mach 5 from Mach 4.3
• Includes a built in self-test and missile on-aircraft test capability.

The AIM-54C has the following variants:

• ATM-54C (Air Test Missile) - version without a live warhead.
• AEM-54C (Air Evaluation Missile) - equivalent weight, balance, and external appearance, with special telemetry electronics to collect data during live firings.
• CATM-54 (Captive Air Training Missile) - Inert, captive-carried missile, identical in weight, center of gravity, and external appearance. Includes functional guidance and control sections but inert armament and propulsion sections.