Airframe
Visually, the AIM-54 does not look like the typically slender air-to-air missile. Heavily influenced by its predecessor, the AIM-4 Falcon, the Phoenix is a rather squat design, looking more like a stretched version of the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile.  The fuselage of the missile measures 13.2 feet in length, and is 15 inches in width. While the missile's fuselage is made from metal, the harsh environment of the carrier deck requires that the missile's body be covered with ablative thermal insulation. This protects the AIM-54's delicate internal systems from intense heat from the engines of another aircraft trying to share valuable deck space.
Stabilizing and Control Fins
Stability is provided by a series of four fins, which together form a wing span of 3 feet. The missile is steered by four control surfaces mounted aft of each fin around the rocket nozzle. Operating independent of each other, the entire steering fin swivels around its attachment point. Live fire tests against hard-maneuvering drones have shown that these surfaces allow the missile to maneuver at 17 g.
While the fins of the A-model Phoenix were made up of a honeycomb structure, the AIM-54C featured much less complex sheet-metal wings and control surfaces. For storage and transport, these fins can be removed from the missile proper. Each wing broadens sharply into a triangular base, providing greater structural support.
The control fins are similarly constructed of a honeycomb structure or sheet metal depending on the model. The servos controlling the position of these surfaces are located within the airframe, surrounding the motor's exit tube. The fulcrum of each fin is mounted in the first third of the surface, leaving the trailing two-thirds to interact with the airstream. This offset creates greater control authority, resulting in increased agility.
Propulsion
Depending on model, the AIM-54 is powered by either a Rocketdyne Mk47 or Aerojet Mk60 solid-fuel single-stage rocket motor. The former powers the A-model Phoenix while the latter is used to power the newer C-model.  Both powerplants allow the AIM-54 to reach a speed of Mach 3.8 at motor burnout while cruising at medium altitude. However, at high altitudes, the Phoenix is able to reach a maximum speed of Mach 5. The key difference between powerplants is that the Mk60 features a reduced smoke signature while producing greater thrust. This increase in thrust allows the missile to achieve its top speed faster, reducing the time between missile launch and interception.
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