McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Aircraft Data
Dual-seat, all weather, day/night interceptor.
The McDonnell Douglas F-4E "Phantom II" is the version of the F-4 with an internal M61 Vulcan cannon in the elongated nose. During the initial Phantom design phase, a version with an internal cannon had been proposed but was quickly ruled out by the idea of the time that the air-to-air missiles was the wave of the future and internal guns were obsolete. However, during the air-to-air battles over Vietnam, the use of missiles-only did not go as planned, and many MiGs escaped because the Phantom's missiles either malfunctioned or missed their targets. Thus, the need for an internal gun became obvious.
The F-4E was funded in June of 1965 and went on to become the most mass-produced version of the F-4 Phantom II family. In addition to the internal gun a significant change was the addition of leading-edge slats which greatly improved combat maneuverability. Continuous improvements in engines, radar, and weapons upgrades ensured that it stay in service well into the 2000s.
The McDonnell Douglas F-4E "Phantom II" is the version of the F-4 with an internal M61 Vulcan cannon in the elongated nose. During the initial Phantom design phase, a version with an internal cannon had been proposed but was quickly ruled out by the idea of the time that the air-to-air missiles was the wave of the future and internal guns were obsolete. However, during the air-to-air battles over Vietnam, the use of missiles-only did not go as planned, and many MiGs escaped because the Phantom's missiles either malfunctioned or missed their targets. Thus, the need for an internal gun became obvious.
The F-4E was funded in June of 1965 and went on to become the most mass-produced version of the F-4 Phantom II family. In addition to the internal gun a significant change was the addition of leading-edge slats which greatly improved combat maneuverability. Continuous improvements in engines, radar, and weapons upgrades ensured that it stay in service well into the 2000s.
- Country of Origin: United States
- First Flight: 6/30/1967
- Initial Service Date: 1968
- No. Built: 1,400
- No. In Service: 38 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 9
- Crew: 2
Power:
2× General Electric J79-GE-17A axial compressor turbojets at 17,845 lbf
Weapons:
20-mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon with 639 rounds
4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder AAM's
4 x AIM-7 Sparrow Missiles
4 x AIM-120 AMRAAM BVR AAM's
6 x AGM-65 Maverick
4 x AGM-62 Walleye
4 x AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-78 Standard ARM
4 x GBU-15
18 x Mk.82, GBU-12
5 x Mk.84, GBU-10, GBU-14
18 x CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58
Nuclear weapons, including the B28EX, B61, B43 and B57
Up to 18,650 lb (8,480 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints
4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder AAM's
4 x AIM-7 Sparrow Missiles
4 x AIM-120 AMRAAM BVR AAM's
6 x AGM-65 Maverick
4 x AGM-62 Walleye
4 x AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-78 Standard ARM
4 x GBU-15
18 x Mk.82, GBU-12
5 x Mk.84, GBU-10, GBU-14
18 x CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58
Nuclear weapons, including the B28EX, B61, B43 and B57
Up to 18,650 lb (8,480 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints
Dimensions:
| Length: | 63 ft. 0 in. |
| Wing Span: | 38 ft. 7 in. |
| Wing Area: | 530 sq.ft |
| Height: | 16 ft. 5.5 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 30,328 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 61,795 lbs |
| Max. Ordnance Load: | 18,650 lbs |
| Internal Fuel: | 13,353 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 1,473 mph |
| Cruise Speed: | 585 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 60,000 ft. |
| Normal Range: | 714 nm |
| Max. Range: | 1,976 nm |
Operators:
Previous F-4E Operators:United States Air Force, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Iran, Turkey, Royal Korean Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force.
Current F-4E Operators (2018):
Egypt
Random great photos of the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II:
