Aircraft Factfile and Recognition Guide - F-4 Phantom II

 

Background

The F-4 Phantom II was a twin-engine, all-weather, fighter-bomber. The aircraft could perform three tactical air roles — air superiority, interdiction and close air support — as it did in southeast Asia. First flown in May 1958, the Phantom II originally was developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense and entered service in 1961. The USAF evaluated it for close air support, interdiction, and counter-air operations and, in 1962, approved a USAF version. The USAF's Phantom II, designated F-4C, made its first flight on May 27, 1963. Production deliveries began in November 1963. In its air-to-ground role the F-4 could carry twice the normal bomb load of a WW II B-17. USAF F-4s also flew reconnaissance and "Wild Weasel" anti-aircraft missile suppression missions. Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built--more than 2,600 for the USAF, about 1,200 for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign nations, including to Israel, Iran, Greece, Spain, Turkey, South Korea, West Germany, Australia, Japan, and Great Britain. Used extensively in the Vietnam War, later versions of the aircraft were still active in the U. S. Air Force inventory well into the 1990s. F-4s are no longer in the USAF inventory but are still flown by foreign nations.

The F-4C first flew for the Air Force in May 1963 and the Air National Guard began flying the F-4C in January 1972. The Air Force Reserve received its first Phantom II in June 1978. The F-4D model, with major changes that increase accuracy in weapons delivery, was delivered to the Air Force in March 1966, to the Air National Guard in 1977, and to the Air Force Reserve in 1980.

The first F-4E was delivered to the Air Force in October 1967. The Air National Guard received its first F-4E in 1985, the Air Force Reserve in 1987. This model, with an additional fuselage fuel tank, leading-edge slats for increased maneuverability, and an improved engine, also has an internally mounted 20mm multi-barrel gun with improved fire-control system.

Starting in 1973, F-4E's were fitted with target-identification systems for long-range visual identification of airborne or ground targets. Each system is basically a television camera with a zoom lens to aid in positive identification, and a system called Pave Tack, which provided day and night all-weather capability to acquire, track and designate ground targets for laser, infrared and electro-optically guided weapons. Another change was a digital intercept computer that includes launch computations for all AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles. Additionally, on F-4E/G models, the digital ARN-101 navigation system replaced the LN-12 inertial navigation system.

With the introduction of newer, more capable weapons systems, the F-4 mission narrowed to specializing in the suppression of enemy air defense. Following their 90-day deployment supporting Operation Provide Comfort 15 December 1995, the F-4G Phantoms assigned to the Idaho Air National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron retired to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, otherwise known as the "Boneyard," at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel," was the last model still in the active Air Force inventory, until it was replaced by the F-16CJ/DJ in the role of increasing the survivability of tactical strike forces by seeking out and suppressing or destroying enemy radar-directed anti-aircraft artillery batteries and surface-to-air missile sites. F-4G's were E models modified with sophisticated electronic warfare equipment in place of the internally mounted 20mm gun. The F-4G could carry more weapons than previous Wild Weasel aircraft and a greater variety of missiles as well as conventional bombs. The primary weapon of the F-4G, however, was the AGM-88 HARM (high speed anti-radiation missile). Other munitions included cluster bombs, and AIM-65 Maverick and air-to-air missiles.

The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel," which inherited most of the features of the F-4E, was capable of passing real-time target information to the aircraft's missiles prior to launch. Working in “hunter-killer” teams of two aircraft, such as F-4G and F-16C, the F-4G “hunter” could detect, identify, and locate enemy radars then direct weapons that will ensure destruction or suppression of the radars. The technique was effectively used during Operation Desert Storm against enemy surface-to-air missile batteries. Primary armament included HARM (AGM-88) and Maverick (AGM-65). F-4G's deployed to Saudi Arabia also were equipped with ALQ-131 and ALQ-184 electronic countermeasures pods.

The F-4J aircraft featured a much improved radar and avionics, as well as improved aerodynamic design. In addition it had an improved J-79 engine with a longer afterburner nozzles. Gone from was The infrared seeker under the nose that was a mainstay of the F-4B/C/D versions was deleted. Although it did not carry a gun, the aircraft performed well as an interceptor with its Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles. The Navy's only Vietnam aces flew the F-4J for all of their five kills.

Navy Lieutenant Randy "Duke" Cunningham was America’s first pilot ace of the Vietnam War, flying F-4J Phantoms. Assigned to the USS Constellation in 1971, he was crewed with Lieutenant "Willy" Driscoll as his Radar Intercept Officer and began flying combat missions against the North Vietnamese. On 19 January 1972, he engaged two MiG-21s at treetop level and claimed his first victory by downing one of the enemy fighters with a Sidewinder missile--the first MiG kill following a 2 year lull in the air war over the North. While over North Vietnam on 8 May 1972, he engaged three MiG-17s, and while he was being fired on by two of the MiGs, he destroyed the remaining foe which was "on the tail" of his wingman. Two days later, Cunningham’s section was on a flak suppression mission south of Hanoi when 22 enemy fighters attacked them. During the intense aerial combat that followed, he quickly destroyed a MiG-17 with a Sidewinder, then turned to assist the other Navy Phantoms, which were now boxed in by enemy aircraft. Cunningham reentered the battle and saved his group’s Executive Officer while downing his second MiG-17. With the arrival of more MiGs, the American fighters were making a dash for the coast when he encountered another MiG head-on. Cunningham soon realized his adversary was no ordinary pilot. After a 4-minute "see-saw" duel, he claimed his third aircraft of the day; his victim was Colonel Toon--North Vietnam’s leading ace. Following their third victory of the day, Cunningham and Driscoll were forced to eject into the Gulf of Tonkin when a SAM hit their aircraft as they headed home. Rescued by a Navy helicopter, Cunningham would receive the Navy Cross for his heroism and superior airmanship on this day.

Soon after the F-4J entered US Navy service the British decided to adopt the Phantom for the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy's F-4K Phantom used the British Roll-Royce Spey engine, which is rather larger than the American J-79. The resulting design was larger, heavier, and somewhat slower than the American F-4, though with greater acceleration and faster at low level. The Royal Navy acquired 52 F-4K aircraft. The Royal Air Force acquired 118 aircraft under the F-4M designation, though eventually both were redesignated FG.1 [RN] and FGR.2 [RAF].

The F-4S variant of the Phantom incorporated leading edge slats as well as advanced radar. A total of 302 [other sources place the number at 248 or 265] were converted to this configuration from existing Navy and Marine Corps F-4J airframes in the mid-1970s. The upgrade was intended to extend the service life of the aircraft pending replacement by the F/A-18 Hornet in Marine Corps service and by the F-14 Tomcat in Navy service. The F-4S was fitted with smokeless J79-GE-10B engines, solving the long-standing defect of earlier engines which produced a rather prominent trail of sooty black smoke.  The principle modifications included strengthening the airframe and landing gear. The aircraft were stripped and inspected, and received landing gear, wing and fuselage structural improvements as needed. Straps were added to the wing spar to improve structural integrity. The electrical system was completely rewired, and the hydraulic system was replumbed. Two-position wing leading-edge maneuvering slats were fitted, providing a 50 percent improvement in turning capability compared to the unslatted F-4J. The slats were were later retrofitted the initial batch of 43 F-4S aircraft. The F-4S was equipped with a digital AWG-10B weapons control system, a pair of new AN/ARC-159 l UHF radio, and some were fitted with the ARN-118 TACAN. The ALQ-126 or 126A electronic countermeasures set of the F-4J was retained.

Currently, the Air Forces of Germany, Greece, Japan, and Turkey continue to fly the F-4 Phantom.  The United States Air Force and Navy continues to fly the Phantom as a drone, adopting the designation QF-4.  The QF-4 can be flown either piloted or pilotless, with pilotless flights usually resulting in a missile test and writing off the aircraft in the process.

Recognizing the F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 is a very unmistakable aircraft and it is hard to confuse it with any other aircraft.  Here's some tips on how to pick it out of a group of aircraft:

Wings:  Low-mounted, swept-back, and semi-delta with square tips. Positive slanted wing tips. There is a sawtooth in leading edges of the wings.
Engine(s):  Two engines inside the body with rectangular air intakes alongside the body in front of the wings. Twin exhausts beneath a large overhanging rear section.
Fuselage:  Rectangular midsection, pointed droopy nose, and a bubble cockpit.
Tail:  Flats are mid-mounted on the body, delta-shaped with a negative slant. Sharply back-tapered fin with a square tip.

Specifications

Primary Function:  All-weather fighter-bomber.
Contractor:  McDonnell Aircraft Co., McDonnell Corporation.
Power Plant:  Two General Electric J79 turbojet engines with afterburners.
Thrust:  17,900 pounds (8,055 kilograms).
Length:  62 feet, 11 inches (19.1 meters).
Height:  16 feet, 5 inches (5 meters).
Wingspan:  38 feet, 11 inches (11.8 meters).
Speed:  More than 1,600 mph (Mach 2).
Ceiling:  60,000 feet (18,182 meters).
Climb Rate:  49,000 ft per minute
Maximum Takeoff Weight:  62,000 pounds (27,900 kilograms).
Range:  1,300 miles (1,130 nautical miles).
Armament:  Four AIM-7 Sparrow and four AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, AGM-88 HARM missile capability, and one fuselage centerline bomb rack and four pylon bomb racks capable of carrying 12,500 pounds (5,625 kilograms) of general purpose bombs.
    15 CBU-52
    15 CBU-58
    15 CBU-71
    15 CBU-87
    15 CBU-89
    12 MK-20
    6 BL-755
Cost:  $18.4 million.
Crew:  Two (pilot and electronic warfare officer).
Date Deployed:  May 1963.

Sources:  Federation of American Sciences, GlobalSecurity.org F-4 Phantom Backgrounds

© 2005-2007 Steven Holzinger