It was the third generation of UAV in British Army service with the Royal Artillery after SD/1 and Canadair Midge.

The Phoenix was a fairly typical combat surveillance UAV, powered by a 20 kW (26 hp) piston engine, but is distinctive in that it is a "tractor" aircraft, with the propeller in the front.

The launch rail having been originally developed for the US Army Aquilla UAV that failed to enter service.

The zero-length take-off and landing was an essential requirement for operating in NATO's Central Region and deployment in a forward divisional area.

say it gave excellent service for artillery spotting, stating that some of the losses were due to deliberate sacrifices, in which the UAV was kept on station beyond the time it could be recovered rather than let targets get away.