A classic warplane by any standard, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was developed as a long-ranged, carrierborne interceptor for the United States Navy (USN) and succeeded an aging stock of McDonnell F3H Demon fighters. Combining airborne radar with a crew of two and a twin-engine pairing, the series found considerable success throughout the Cold War period and saw extensive action in the Vietnam War (1955-1975) - where the fighter scored 150 air-to-air kills against MiGs. Total production ended with 5,195 units built. Despite its late-1960 entry, the Phantom II line enjoys active, if limited, service through a handful of national powers today.
2 CREW
Speed
1,473 MPH
Ceiling
59,055 FEET
Range
1,678 MILES
Mission Roles
AIR-TO-AIR
INTERCEPTION
GROUND ATTACK
STRIKE
ANTI-SHIP
ANTI-RADAR
RECON
TRAINING
UNMANNED
Gallery
1 / 5
Image copyright www.AnvilOfWar.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2 / 5
Image copyright www.AnvilOfWar.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
3 / 5
Image copyright www.AnvilOfWar.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
4 / 5
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS image database; Public Release.
5 / 5
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS image database; Public Release.
Manufacturer(s) McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, McDonnell Douglas - USA / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) - Japan
Production 5,195 Units
12 Total
Australia; Egypt; Germany (Modern); Greece (active); Iran (active); Israel; Japan; Spain; South Korea (active); Turkey (active); United Kingdom; United States
(List includes former, current, and potential operating nations)
F-4E: 2 x General Electric J79-GE-17A afterburning turbojet engines developing 11,905lb of dry thrust and 17,845lb of thrust with reheat.
Service Ceiling 59,055 ft | 18,000 m | 11.18 miles
Operational Range 1,678 miles | 2,700 km | 1,458 nm
Rate-of-Climb 41,300 ft/min | 12,588 m/min
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the F-4E production model)
Length 62.99 feet (19.20 meters)
Width 38.39 feet (11.70 meters)
Height 16.40 feet (5.00 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the F-4E production model)
Empty 30,336 lb (13,760 kg)
M.T.O.W. 61,840 lb (28,050 kg)
(Showcased weights pertain to the F-4E production model)
F-4E:
1 x 20mm M61A1 "Vulcan" internal automatic cannon under the nose.
Up to 18,650lb of externally-held air-launched and air-dropped ordnance including Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs), Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASMs), anti-radar missiles, anti-ship missiles, conventional drop bombs, guided drop bombs, rocket pods, and nuclear bombs (B28EX, B61, B43, and B57).
Also special-mission pods supporting reconnaissance, Electronic CounterMeasures (ECM), and laser-targeting roles.
Typical Loadouts:
4 x AIM-9 "Sidewinder" / Python-3 (Israel) / AAM-3 (Japan) short-ranged AAMs.
4 x AIM-7 "Sparrow" medium-ranged AAM.
4 x AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced, Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile).
4 x "Skyflash" AAM.
4 x AGM-45 "Shrike" ASM.
4 x AGM-62 "Walleye" ASM.
6 x AGM-65 "Maverick" ASM.
4 x AGM-78 Standard ARM.
4 x AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile.
4 x GBU-15 guided drop bomb.
18 x GBU-12 guided drop bomb.
18 x Mk 82 drop bomb.
5 x Mk 84 drop bomb.
5 x GBU-10 guided drop bomb.
5 x GBU-14 guided drop bomb.
18 x CBU-58 cluster drop bomb.
18 x CBU-87 cluster drop bomb.
18 x CBU-89 cluster drop bomb. Supported Types:
Close-in Gun(s)
Air-to-Air Missiles
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Anti-Ship Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
Rockets / Rocket Pods
Additional Fuel
F-4 "Phantom II" - Base Series Designation.
XF4H-1 - Prototype designation of 1958; two examples completed and flown (USN requirement).
F4H-1 (F-4A) - Initial production model; all-weather capability; J79-GE-2/-2A engines of 16,100lb thrust; 45 examples completed.
F-4A - Initial production model for USN service; see F4H-1 details above.
TF-4A - Twin-seat trainer conversions of A-model stock.
F4H-1 (F-4B) - Second production model with ground-attack capability; J79-GE-8A/-8B engines of 16,950lb thrust; USN and USMC service; 649 examples completed.
F-4B - Redesignation of F4H-1 production form.
DF-4B - F-4B production stock converted to target drones.
EF-4B - ECM training aircraft; single example.
NF-4B - F-4B testbed; single example.
QF-4B - Unmanned target drone conversions; 25 examples.
F4H-1 (RF-4B - Tactical Reconnaissance model for USMC service; AN/APQ-99 radar fit in lengthened nose assembly; camera-equipped.
RF-4B - Redesignation of F4H-1 models.
F-110A "Spectre" - Original F-4C designation.
F-4C - All-weather tactical fighter/fighter-bomber model; AN/APQ-100 radar fit in nose; nuclear-capable; provision for ASMs; revised undercarriage; dual-control cockpits; 583 examples completed.
EF-4C "Wild Weasel IV" - Anti-radar/radar-hunting model converted from C-production stock; AN/APR-25 RHAWS / AN/APR-26 radar-equipped; ER-142 ECM; AN/ALQ-119 ECM pod; ASM support; 36 conversions from C-model stock.
YRF-110A (YRF-4C) - RF-4C prototypes; two examples used.
RF-4C - All-weather reconnaissance model; AN/APQ-172 radar in nose; camera-equipped.
RF-4C(H) - Proposed night marauder with IR equipment.
F-4D - Updated production form of 1965; AN/APQ-109 radar; 825 examples completed.
ED-4D "Wild Weasel IV" - Reconnaissance model from D-model stock; AGM-78 missile support; two examples.
F-4E - Model of 1965; M61 Vulcan internal cannon; AN/APQ-120 radar fit; J79-GE-17 engines of 17.900lb thrust; Block 53 and after to support Maverick ASM as well as J79-GE-17C/-17E engines; 1,370 examples completed.
F-4E "Kurnass 2000" - IAF F-4E; AN/APG-76 radar fit; AGM-142 ASM support.
F-4E "Peace Icarus 2000" - Modernized Greek F-4E fighter/strike fighter; AN/APG-65GY radar fit; AIM-120 AMRAAM support; LITENING tagrteing pod.
F-4 "Terminator 2020" - Turkish AF F-4E models; support for modern ordnance options.
QF-4E - Remote-controlled target drone conversions.
F-4EJ - Japanese F-4E all-weather air-defense model of 2000; production by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI); 140 examples completed; ground-attack support later added.
F-4EJ "Kai" - Updated F-4EJ; revised avionics suite; AN/APG-66J radar; ground-attack capable; anti-ship missile capable.
EF-4EJ - F-4EJ fighter models converted for ECM training role.
Related to the F-4 "Phantom II"
...
Entries with similar traits, features, or shared history to the McDonnell Douglas F-4
"Phantom II"
.
Products, related trademarks, and imagery are property of their respective owners. Images with the AnvilOfWar.com watermark are property of www.AnvilOfWar.com and licensed for reuse from www.MilitaryFactory.com. Images not containing the watermark are assumed to be in the Public Domain (U.S. DoD, British DoD, Russian MoD, China MoD). The information contained herein is provided for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as useable for hardware operation, restoration, or maintenance. AnvilOfWar.com does not sell or resell any of the products showcased on its website nor is the site endorsed by any government agency, institution, or politcal party. Consult original manufacturers or licensed sellers / resellers for procurement information. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.
Close-in Gun(s)
Air-to-Air Missiles
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Anti-Ship Missiles
Precision-Guided Bombs
Conventional Drop Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
Rockets / Rocket Pods
Additional Fuel
