F-4 Phantom II: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The F-4 Phantom II is a two-place (tandem), supersonic, long-range, all-weather fighter-bomber built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. It was operated by the US Navy, the USMC and later the USAF, from 1961 until 1995. It is still in service with other nations.

Its primary mission capabilities are: long range, high-altitude intercepts utilizing air-to-air missiles as primary armament; a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon as secondary armament; long-range attack missions utilizing conventional or nuclear weapons as a primary armament; and close air support missions utilizing a choice of bombs, rockets and missiles as primary armament. It was one of the few aircraft types that have served in the US Navy, USMC and USAF. It was one of the longest serving military aircraft post-war.

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 (as the F-110A Spectre) 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 can carry twice the normal bomb load of a WW II B-17 Flying Fortress. USAF F-4s also flew reconnaissance and "Wild Weasel" air-defence suppression missions. Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built--more than 2,800 for the USAF, about 1,200 for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign nations.

In 1965 the first USAF Phantom IIs were sent to Vietnam. Early versions (F-4A to F-4D) lacked any gun armament. Coupled with the unreliability of the air-to-air missiles AIM-7 Sparrow AIM-9 Sidewinder at the time, this major drawback resulted in the aircraft loss after they ran out of missiles. During the course of the Vietnam War, its contemporaries, the MiG-19 and MiG-21, inflicted heavy losses on the F-4s when the American aircraft were ambushed after returning from bombing assignments. This prompted the USAF to introduce the F-4E variant, which added a M61 Vulcan cannon in the nose of the aircraft, below the radome. This later version was the mainstay of the USAF Phantom II forces.

Phantom in Foreign Service

The F-4E served with the air forces of many countries including Australia, Greece, Israel, Iran, Japan, Spain, South Korea, Turkey and West Germany. F-4E did not serve in USN or USMC, but an improved variant of F-4B, the F-4J replaced earlier Phantom II variants in these services. F-4J lacked gun armament either.

The German Version (F-4F) will be used until the Eurofighter Typhoon is produced in sufficient mumbers. The newer AN/APG-65 radar (same as in the F/A-18) was installed in order to use AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, though this upgrade has only been implemented into German and Greek F-4Es. Other F-4E operators improved their Phantom IIs according to their needs, with the most significant being the Israel Aircraft Industries "Kurnass-2000" upgrade, which enabled the Phantom II to carry and deliver next generation laser and TV-guided munitions (including AGM-142 Have Lite missiles) with increased precision. A similar upgrade has also been implemented by IAI on Turkish Air Force Phantoms, including an advanced ELTA SPS-100 fire control system/radar, adopted from the abortive IAI LAVI Technology-demonstrator or early 1990s.

The United Kingdom bought the aircraft for use with the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm; British versions were fitted with the larger but more powerful Rolls-Royce Spey engine and were designated F-4K. The larger size of the Spey introduced aerodynamic inefficiencies that offset any benefit from increased power. Fleet Air Arm Phantoms were fitted with a telescoping front undercarriage leg allowing the nose to be raised up high, the increased angle of attack being necessary for catapult launches from the small British carriers.

The last of the F-4s were retired from duty with the US military in 1995; however the aircraft still sees use in a training role, as a drone, and in service to other nations. The UK retired its last Phantoms in 1993 as a result of the Options for Change spending cuts.

See also the FH-1 Phantom.

General Characteristics

• 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 (80 kN).
• Length: 62 ft, 11 in (19.1 m).
• Height: 16 ft, 5 in (5 m).
• Wingspan: 38 ft, 11 in (11.8 m).
• Speed: More than 1,600 mph, 2,600 km/h (Mach 2.5).
• Ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m).
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 62,000 pounds (27,900 kg).
• Range: 1,300 miles (1,130 nautical miles, 2100 km).
• Armament: Four AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-120 (F-4F only) and four AIM-9 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 kg) of general purpose bombs.
• Cost: US$18.4 million
• Crew: F-4E -- Two (pilot and electronic warfare officer).
• Date Deployed: May 1963

• F4H-1F (F-4A)
• TF-4A
• F4H-1 (F-4B)
• QF-4B
• F4H-1P (RF-4B)
• F-4C
• EF-4C
• RF-4C
• F-4D
• EF-4D
• F-4E
• RF-4R
• YF-4E
• F-4F
• TF-4F
• F4-G "Wild Weasel" air defence suppresion.
• F-4J
• RF-4J
• YF-4J
• F-4K (Fleet Air Arm McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1)
• F-4M (Fleet Air Arm McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2)
• F-4N
• F-4S

United States Navy

United States Marine Corps

United States Air Force

Royal Air Force

• No. 2 Squadron
• No. 6 Squadron
• No. 14 Squadron
• No. 17 Squadron
• No. 19 Squadron
• No. 23 Squadron
• No. 29 Squadron
• No. 31 Squadron
• No. 41 Squadron
• No. 43 Squadron
• No. 54 Squadron
• No. 56 Squadron
• No. 74 Squadron
• No. 92 Squadron
• No. 111 Squadron

Fleet Air Arm

• No. 892 NAS

Royal Australian Air Force

Luftwaffe

• Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen"
• Jagdgeschwader 72 "Westfalen" (former Jagdbombergeschwader 36) - (decommissioned)
• Jagdgeschwader 73 "Steinhoff" (former Jagdbombergeschwader 35)
• Jagdgeschwader 74 "Mölders"
• Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 "Immelmann" - (decommissioned)
• Aufklärungsgeschwader 52 - (decommissioned)
• Fliegerisches Ausbildungszentrum der Luftwaffe (German Air Force Flying Training Center)

Israeli Air Force

Egyptian Air Force

Greek Air Force

Iranian Air Force

Japanese Air Self Defence Force

Republic of Korea Air Force

Spanish Air Force

Turkish Air Force