Decomissioned from the USN when the F14 was retired, only place you'd have any luck of finding an operational Phoenix missile (and its unlikely) would be Iran, as the F14 was designed specifically around that missile when the plans for using the F-111 as the Fleet interceptor fell through.
Doubtful that there are any Phoenixes in Iran. IIRC Iran managed to modify some of their Hawk SAMs to be launched from their F-14s. As for any evolved form of the Phoenix, no, there are none. A program was initiated to develop an advanced version, but that was dropped in favour of the AMRAAM, partially on performance reasons, though cost was also a factor.
There may be a few, perhaps in the air force museum, or sitting in a dump somewhere. Operational, though - that's a completely different matter. In my (non-expert) opinion, no chance.
No, it's an antenna (not really wedge-shaped) on top of the fuselage, though nearer the tail than the nose.No, it's a wedge on the tail. I believe this is because it's an AESA which obviously means the beam can be electronically controlled / split, no need for moving parts, or a saucer shape radar, as you can shape it in pretty much any way possible... I suspect a wedge is most aerodynamic.
FYI, they usually call it MESA which is Multirole Electronically Scanned Array, but it's still AESA.
None whatsoever.
Nah, that's just a mockup...
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The canoe fairing as I have seen it described, is similiar to the Erieye antennae. A fairly important difference between the two however is that the Erieye is side-scanning only AFAIK, while the MESA found on the Wedgetail (named as Swerve said for the Wedgetail Eagle) covers a 360 degree area. Also the beams on the MESA are stearable, I am not sure if the is a capability the Erieye has. If it does, it would not be able to cover all the gaps in the antennae coverage, since an aircraft carrying the Erieye has to fly in a figure 8 flight path to maintain coverage of an area.
Do not forget one of the main reasons why the SH was purchased. With the USN willing to give up order slots to the RAAF, and with the aircraft similarities to existing RAAF fighters, the FOC date for SH was/is ~2011-2012 IIRC. Different aircraft, like the Typhoon, Gripen, F-15E, F-16, etc etc would take a longer period of time to enter service since there would be more significant differences with the existing RAAF inventory so more training and tools, etc would need to be purchased, and then pilots and mechanics would need a chance to train to operate them effectively. Given the proposed retirement of the F-111 due to service issues the ADF feels it would encounter with the F-111, a retirement date of ~2010 was selected and a followup aircraft would see service in the RAAF.
Mockup antenna or whole picture?Nah, that's just a mockup...
antenna i think.
The Erieye is an AESA, so it's stearable i guess...
There seems to be some dispute about the size of the coverage gaps forward & aft, & I think that may be partly due to them having been reduced from the early Erieyes. The system is reported to have been upgraded a lot since entering service.
Haven't forgotten the reasons it was chosen. There are MANY good reasons it was chosen, it's capability not the least!
In addition the top hat provides endfire capability to provide all round coverage along with the abiltiy to scan 360 degress or stare at a a target (or combination according to airforce technology).
DMO puts the nominal range in excess of 400 km (216nm). I suspect the truth may be a tad greater than that.
Defence funding is insured against currency fluctuations, specifically because of the length of time it takes to acquire equipment and the length of time it has to be supported.