Notes to the AA-9 Amos Missile System

This system is often referred to as the Russian copy of the USA Phoenix missile. This however is incorrect and seems to be based on a similar physical appearance. The USSR did seem to get access to Phoenix design information by espionage via Iran however at that point they had already been working on the AA-9 for some time. The mission profile of the system also differs from its US cousin in that it has an Anti - cruise missile role that the Phoenix lacks. This system is also ( despite incorrect reports) only carried by the Mig-31 and not the Su-27 or the Mig-29. The radar on the Mig-31 is the world's first operational airborne phase array fighter radar beating its US counterparts into service by many years. Again it is very different from the system carried by the Tomcat. Additionally the missile's terminal guidance is by SARH rather than active - this suggests the reason for the rather short range of 120Km for such a powerful system.