List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants

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Main article: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
QF-4E Phantom II in flight at Holloman Air Force Base (November 2007)

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants were numerous versions and designations of the F-4 and are described below.

Production numbers for major versions

Aircraft Number
F-4A 45
F-4B 649
RF-4B 46
F-4C 583
RF-4C 503
F-4D 825
F-4E 1370
F-4E 2020 (Turkey) 54*
F-4EJ (Japan) 140
RF-4E 149
RF-4EJ (Japan) 15*
F-4F 175
F-4G Wild Weasel 134*
F-4J 522
F-4J Phantom F.3 (RAF) 15*
F-4K Phantom FG.1 (FAA) 50
F-4M Phantom FGR.2 (RAF) 116
F-4N 228*
F-4S 302*

asterisk indicates converted from other version

Variants

An XF4H-1 1959.
F-4Bs from VF-213, 1967.
XF4H-1
Two prototypes for the United States Navy, first flown 1958.
F4H-1F (F-4A)
Two-seat all-weather carrier-based fighter for the US Navy, J79-GE-2 and -2A engines with 16,100 lbf (71.6 kN) of afterburner thrust each. Named Phantom II in 1959 and redesignated F-4A in 1962; 45 built.[1]
TF-4A
A small number of F-4As converted into two-seat training aircraft.
F4H-1 (F-4B)
Two-seat all-weather carrier-based fighter and attack aircraft for the US Navy and Marine Corps. J79-GE-8A or -8B engines with 16,950 lbf (75.4 kN) of afterburner thrust each. Redesignated F-4B in 1962; 649 built.[2]
DF-4B
F-4Bs converted into drone control aircraft.
EF-4B
One F-4B converted into an ECM training aircraft.
NF-4B
The redesignation of one F-4B for testing purposes.
QF-4B
F-4Bs converted into unmanned supersonic target drones; 25 converted.
F4H-1P (RF-4B)
Tactical reconnaissance version of F-4B for
ECM suite. The KS-72 or KS-85 cameras were on rotating mounts and could be aimed in flight which improved upon the earlier RF-4C which could only be aligned on the ground.[3] In 1975, modernized under Project SURE (Sensor Update and Refurbishment Effort); 46 built. Retired in 1990. 4 lost in Vietnam.[4] First flown 12 March 1965.[5]
An EF-4C in 1972.
F-110A
The original US Air Force designation for the F-4C.
F-4C
Two-seat all-weather tactical fighter, ground-attack version for the
probe and drogue refueling; AN/APQ-100
radar; duplicated flight controls in the rear cockpit. The aircraft exceeded Mach 2 during its first flight on 27 May 1963; 583 built.
EF-4C Wild Weasel IV
F-4Cs converted into Wild Weasel ECM aircraft. Equipped with AN/APR-25 RHAWS, AN/APR-26 missile launch warning system, ER-142 ECM receiver, and AN/ALQ-119 external ECM pod. Armed with AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles and cluster bombs but unable to carry the AGM-78 Standard ARM missile. A total of 36 were converted.[6] Many survivors were reverted to F-4C.
A Kentucky ANG RF-4C showing camera installations and drag chute.
RF-4C
All-weather tactical reconnaissance version for the US Air Force, AN/APQ-99 (later
infrared equipment instead of cameras under Operation Shed Light. In the end, none were converted. While usually unarmed, RF-4Cs retained the ability to carry a nuclear weapon on the centerline pylon. Additionally, the RF-4Cs of the Alabama Air National Guard, Nevada Air National Guard and Fighter Weapons School were modified to carry the AIM-9 Air to Air Missile. These modernized RF-4Cs of the Alabama and Nevada Air National Guard extensively participated in the Gulf War
; 503 built.
Two RF-4Cs shot down by USSR during Project Dark Gene whilst being flown by USAF pilots.[7]
YRF-110A (YRF-4C)
Two prototypes were used in the development of the RF-4C reconnaissance version.
301st TFW
F-4D, 1985.
F-4D
F-4C with updated avionics, AN/APQ-109 radar. First flight June 1965. One USAF pilot and two USAF WSOs became aces in F-4Ds; 825 built.[8]
EF-4D Wild Weasel IV
F-4Ds converted into Wild Weasel ECM aircraft. Unlike the EF-4C, the EF-4D had the capability to use the larger AGM-78 Standard ARM. Only 2 converted.[9]
The F-4E introduced the integral 20 mm Vulcan cannon.
F-4E
USAF version with an integral M61 Vulcan cannon in the elongated RF-4C nose, AN/APQ-120 radar with smaller cross-section to accommodate the cannon, J79-GE-17 engines with 17,900 lbf (79.379 kN) of afterburner thrust each. Late-series aircraft equipped with leading-edge slats to improve maneuverability at the expense of top speed under the Agile Eagle program. Starting with Block 53, aircraft added AGM-65 Maverick capability and smokeless J79-GE-17C or -17E engines. First flight 1 August 1965. The most numerous Phantom variant; 1,370 built.
F-4E Kurnass 2000
Modernized Israeli F-4Es,
AGM-142 Popeye
capability. Entered service in 1989, retired in 2004.
F-4E Peace Icarus 2000 (AUP)
F-4E PI2000(AUP) departing the RIAT 2017 International Air Show, Fairford, UK.
In 1998 the
laser-guided
bombs.
F-4E Terminator 2020
F-4E-2020 Terminator
The latest in a long line of F-4 variants, the Terminators are a batch of Turkish Air Force F-4Es, modernized by Israel on the pattern of the Kurnass 2000. They differ from the existing F-4E airframe in a number of key areas, including new attachment fittings to better handle modern weaponry, stronger wing fold ribs, an updated canopy sill bar, and the replacement of some 20 km of wiring (reducing weight by 750 kg) as well as most hydraulic and pneumatic lines and hoses.[11] A plan to increase the turn-rate and longitudinal stability of the Kurnass/Terminator derivatives through the installation of fuselage strakes over the engine inlets was abandoned after testing, and never saw installation on operational aircraft. [12]
The most radical changes occurred in the avionics department. All 2020s have been fitted with vastly updated suite, including MFDs (multifunction displays) as standard, and incorporating a number of new technologies, such as the new Kaiser El-OP 976 wide-angle
ECM pod, Mikes (Aselsan) AN/ALQ-178V3 passive embedded SPEWS, and RWR.[11][13]
Additionally, they received
cluster bombs for air-to-ground missions, while retaining the capability to launch AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. It is also possible to install Pave Spike targeting pods and rocket pods of all sizes.[11][13]
These upgraded F-4 Phantoms are referred to as the F-4E-2020 Terminator. 54 were modernized and 30+ of them will be in service until at least 2030.[14] They first entered service on 27 January 2000 with deliveries to 111 and 171 Filo.[15]
QF-4E
Remote-controlled target drone.
F-4EJ
A Japanese Mitsubishi F-4EJ
Two-seat all-weather air defense fighter version of F-4E, initially lacked ground attack capability. Built under licence in Japan, by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force; 140 built (138 by Mitsubishi).
F-4EJ Kai
Upgraded version of the F-4EJ with improved avionics, including
ASM-1
anti-ship missile.
EF-4EJ
Small number of F-4EJs were converted into ECM training aircraft.
F-4E(S)
Three Israeli F-4E modified for high-speed reconnaissance as a cheaper alternative to the ambitious F-4X. Fitted with a new nose containing the HIAC-1 LOROP long-range camera with a 66-in (168 cm) focal length as well as a vertical KS-87 camera. The aircraft had a false radome painted on the nose to resemble conventional F-4Es. The fate and service record of these aircraft is unknown.[16]
RF-4E
A RF-4E operated by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force
Unarmed reconnaissance version for export only. Retrofitted to carry weapons by most customers. Several
ELINT
missions under Peace Trout program; 149 built.
RF-4EJ
Modified Japanese F-4EJ to operate reconnaissance equipment. Unlike RF-4E, M61 Vulcan is mounted in the nose. 15 converted.
The YF-4E
YF-4E
One of the original YRF-4C prototypes was converted into the YF-4E. The YF-4E was used in the development of the F-4E fighter as well as in fly-by-wire Precision Aircraft Control Technology (PACT) and Control Configured Vehicle (CCV) test programs. Three conversions.
F-4F
F-4E for German Air Force with simplified equipment, no Sparrow capability; 175 built.
F-4F ICE
(Improved Combat Efficiency) Upgraded F-4F with AN/APG-65 radar and AIM-120 AMRAAM capability.
TF-4F
German trainer aircraft, with pilot instructor aft station and appropriate controls.
F-4G
US Navy version, 12 F-4Bs were fitted with the AN/ASW-21 data link digital communications system for automatic carrier landings,[17] one shot down by enemy ground fire, the surviving 11 returned to F-4B configuration.[18]
An F-4G Wild Weasel V.
F-4G Wild Weasel V
F-4E converted to
AGM-78 Standard, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. Widely used during the Gulf War, Operation Provide Comfort, and Operation Southern Watch
; 116 converted initially, with a further 18 F-4Es converted as attrition replacements for a total of 134.
QF-4G
Remote-controlled target drone.
F-4H
Designation not used to avoid confusion with the pre-1962 F4H.[21]
A U.S. Navy F-4J, 1971.
F-4J
Improved F-4B version for US Navy and Marine Corps, with emphasis on air-to-air combat capability improvement, which include: J79-GE-10 engines with 17,844 lbf (79.374 kN) of afterburner thrust each,
IRST
sensor under the nose; One USN pilot and one USN Naval Flight Officer became aces in F-4Js. First flight May 1966; 522 built.
F-4J(UK) Phantom F.3
Designation of 15 low airtime F-4J aircraft purchased by the Royal Air Force from the US Navy in 1984, upgraded to F-4S standard with some British equipment. Although designated Phantom F.3 by the RAF,[22][23] the aircraft was often referred to as F-4J(UK). Used until 1991 by No. 74 Squadron RAF only for UK air defense in lieu of Phantoms sent to Falklands.
DF-4J
One F-4J converted into a drone control aircraft.
EF-4J
Two F-4Js converted into ECM training aircraft.
YF-4J
Three F-4Bs were converted into YF-4J prototypes. The YF-4Js were used in the development of the F-4J.
F-4K of 892 NAS launched from HMS Ark Royal, 1972.
F-4 Phantom comparisons
F-4E Phantom
F-4K Phantom
F-4K Phantom FG.1
F-4J version for Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy to replace the De Havilland Sea Vixen.[24] Operated as the Phantom FG.1 (Fighter/Ground attack). Folding nose and extending nosewheel leg. Re-engined with the more powerful British Rolls-Royce Spey 202 turbofan engines which required an enlarged fuselage but gave more power taking off from smaller carriers and was already in use with Blackburn Buccaneer on RN carriers. Delivered from 1968, with cancellation of planned carriers order cut and 20 diverted to the Royal Air Force before going into service; 50 built. RN aircraft withdrawn by 1978 and passed to RAF.
YF-4K
Two prototypes, used in the development of the F-4K.
F-4L
Designation applied to several proposals for an advanced version, including Model 98FOA with RR Spey turbofan engines and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.
F-4M Phantom FGR.2
Tactical fighter, ground-attack, and reconnaissance aircraft developed from F-4K for the Royal Air Force, UK designation Phantom FGR.2, ordered after cancellation of the Hawker Siddeley P.1154 supersonic V/STOL aircraft. RR Spey turbofan engines; 116 built. Replaced English Electric Canberra and Hawker Hunter. Replaced in turn by SEPECAT Jaguar in ground-attack mission; replaced English Electric Lightning in air defense role.
YF-4M
Two prototypes used in the development of the F-4M.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-4N aboard Coral Sea, 1980.
F-4N
F-4B modernized under project Bee Line, the same aerodynamic improvements as F-4J, smokeless engines. First flight 4 June 1972; 228 converted.
QF-4N
F-4Ns converted into remote-controlled supersonic target drones.
F-4S
F-4J modernized with smokeless engines, reinforced airframe, leading-edge slats for improved maneuverability. First flight July 1977; 302 converted.
QF-4S
F-4S converted into supersonic target drones.
F-4E/TM Şimşek (Lightning)
F-4E modernised by
ASELSAN for the Turkish Air Force, with structural and avionics upgrades. Sixteen upgraded from 2010.[25]
RF-4E/TM Işık (Light)
RF-4E modernised by ASELSAN for Turkish Air Force, with structural strengthening, improved avionics and a new reconnaissance pod. Eighteen upgraded from 2009.[26]

Proposals

Variable Geometry Phantom proposal
4X-JPA, the Super Phantom prototype, on display at the Israeli Air Force Museum
F4H
Proposed ground attack variants Model 98DA and Model 98DB for US Army to take off from grass field/forward air base powered by Allison Spey (AR-168), modified from F4H-1; none built.[27]
F-4E(F)
Proposed single-seat simplified version of F-4E for the German Air Force; none built.
F-4L
Proposed
F-8 Crusader in the fleet defense role[28] The F-4L had an increased wingspan and powered by Allison TF41-A-2 turbofans for quicker acceleration taking off Essex class
carriers.
RF-4M
Proposed, dedicated reconnaissance variant of the F-4M for the RAF; intention to fit equipment internally rather than through carriage of external reconnaissance pod. Not proceeded with.[29]
F-4T
Proposed lightweight air superiority-only fighter version; none built.[30]
F-4 (FVS)
Proposed version with airframe modified by Grumman to use variable geometry wings; none built.
F-4X
Proposed high-performance reconnaissance version with HIAC-1 LOROP camera for Israel developed under the Peace Jack program in conjunction with General Dynamics. Water injection was projected to give the aircraft a top speed in excess of Mach 3 (over 2,000 mph (3,200 km/h) at high altitudes). The water would be contained in a pair of 2,500 US gal (9,600 L) conformal tanks on the sides of the fuselage spine. The US State Department became worried about developing an aircraft with performance similar to the
SR-71 Blackbird and offensive capability beyond anything in domestic inventory for a foreign customer and forbade its export. The proposal was then modified to the RF-4X standard with the camera in the nose and removal of weapon carriage. However, the US Air Force withdrew from the project over concerns that a high-performance Phantom would jeopardize funding for the anticipated McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Without United States financial support, Israel settled for the simpler, less expensive F-4E(S), which was given the nickname 'Shablool', or 'Snail'.[16]
Boeing Super Phantom
A 1984 joint venture between Boeing and Pratt & Whitney for a Phantom variant with Pratt & Whitney PW1120 turbofan engines, giving a significant performance gain over J79 Phantoms. The aircraft would also have an 1,100 US gal (4,230 L) conformal fuel tank under the fuselage.[31] Cancelled early in development.[32]
IAI Super Phantom
A separate
Israel Aircraft Industries project was proposed for a PW1120-powered Phantom,[33] and one prototype built.[34]
IAI's F-4 "Super Phantom" or F-4-2000, which could exceed Mach 1 without afterburners, was displayed at the 1987 Paris Air Show.

See also

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 559
  2. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 559-560
  3. ^ Sweetman & Bonds 1987, p. 531
  4. ^ Dorr 1987, p. 39
  5. ^ Eden 2004, p. 278
  6. ^ Francillon 1994, p. 15-17, 20
  7. ^ "Project Ibex and Project Dark Gene". www.spyflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  8. ^ Dorr & Donald 1990, p. 194
  9. ^ Francillon Air International July 1994, p.17.
  10. ^ "338 Μοίρα Δίωξης – Βομβαρδισμού;". Haf.gr. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  11. ^ a b c F-4 Phantom on the "warriorsoul" Archived 2008-02-29 at the Wayback Machine, Turkish Armed Forces website, Retrieved: 8 February 2008
  12. ^ Klein and Aloni, Andreas and Schlomo (2009). The 'Kurnass' in IDF/AF Service 1989 until Today. Double Ugly Books.
  13. ^ a b Donald & Lake 1996
  14. ^ "ABD'den olumlu sinyal alamayan Türkiye, F-4'lerin emekliliğini 2030'a erteledi" (in Turkish). November 18, 2021.
  15. ^ Phantom for Turkey Archived 2008-05-02 at the Wayback Machine, J Baugher, May 20, 2000.
  16. ^ a b Miller 1985, p. 19-25
  17. ^ "Remembering the U.S. Navy F-4G, the Phantom That Could Perform Automatic Carrier Landings". February 8, 2018.
  18. ^ Francillon 1994, p. 17-20
  19. ^ "Federation of American Scientists :: F-4 Phantom II/F-4G Advanced Wild Weasel". Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  20. ^ "Factsheets : McDonnell Douglas F-4G Wild Weasel". Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  21. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 568
  22. ^ "RAF timeline 1980–1989". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2015. No 74 Squadron reforms at Wattisham with the delivery of the first of the F4J Phantoms, given the RAF designation Phantom F3
  23. ^ "No 74 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  24. ^ "The Royal Air Force - History Section". Archived from the original on November 22, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  25. ^ Mevlutoglu 2011, p. 44
  26. ^ Mevlutoglu 2011, p. 45
  27. ^ https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/ebooks/McDonnell%20Model%20Numbers%20List.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  28. ^ "McDonnell F-4L Phantom II".
  29. ^ Simmelink, Kim (November 20, 2013). "Phantoms that never were built… RF-4M". Phantom Phacts. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  30. ^ https://www.uswarplanes.net/f4.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  31. ^ Spick 1985, p. 289-290
  32. ^ "Boeing "Super Phantom"". July 25, 2008. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008.
  33. ^ Spick 1985, p. 290-291
  34. ^ "[3.0] Phantom In Foreign Service". www.faqs.org.

Bibliography

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