if you know aircraft can’t you put two and two together here they were clearly looking for? A long-range interceptor carrying the Phoenix missile systemGood conclusion. Also, the Phoenix missile system included a radar that could independently track and engage multiple targets. That is a very powerful BVR strategic air defense system as opposed to a shaky Sparrow missile and the short range Sidewinder.
Phoenix missile system included a radar that could independently track
that why i was refering to the “system”.. it integrated with the radar ...if i recall the missile is not fire and forget but data linked and guided by the aircraft radar ..if i also recall the missile can be handed of from one aircraft radar to another but i could be wrong