F-4 Phantom II

The F-4E is essentially an F-4D with improved J79-GE-17 engines (900 lbs. more static sea level thrust each) and a M61A1 "Vulcan" 20mm cannon. The first F-4E was delivered to the Air Force in October 1967.

Operational experience gained in Vietnam had a direct influence on the addition of the cannon. The air-to-air missile fire-to-hit ratios were low and air combat usually degenerated to subsonic 'dogfighting' where the F-4 was at a decided disadvantage when flying against more maneuverable enemy aircraft (MiG 17 and MiG 21). The hydraulically powered wing-folding mechanism and the emergency ram-air turbine were removed to save weight and a seventh fuel cell was added. The addition of self-sealing fuel tanks starting with block 41 aircraft lowered the fuel capacity by 139 gallons, but provided much better combat survivability. The USAF Thunderbirds used the F-4E from June 1969 until November 1973, replacing it with the Northrop T-38, in part, because of the public preception of unacceptably high operating costs for the F-4E.

The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel

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.

Recent developments (news)

South Korean spy plane crashes, pilots survive

Posted at: Mon Apr 7th, 2008

MOSCOW, April 7 (RIA Novosti) - Two pilots safely ejected as a South Korean military plane crashed on Monday during a routine patrol flight near the border with North Korea, the Xinhua news agency reported. The agency said citing the South Korean military that an ...

BAE SYSTEMS To Convert 20 F-4 Phantoms into Target Drones for U.S. Air Force

Posted at: Fri Jun 9th, 2006

MOJAVE, Calif. -- BAE Systems has received a $25.1 million U.S. Air Force contract to provide 20 QF-4 full-scale aerial targets and associated technical support. The QF-4 is an F-4 Phantom aircraft modified for remote-control operation. » F-4 Phantom II RSS News Feed

Older Related News

» All F-4 Phantom II news articles