F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION ALLIED FORCE -- An F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, breaks away from a 100th Air Expeditionary Wing KC-135R Stratotanker from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England.

The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.

The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.

A multimission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, "identification friend or foe" system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.
The pilot's head-up display projects on the windscreen all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.

 
F-15 Eagle: OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- An F-15C from the 67th Fighter Squadron refuels in flight  from a KC-135R, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, June 28, 2001, while on a routine training mission over the Pacific ocean. Both units are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvice Krause)

The F-15's versatile pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.

A variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. An automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the head-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the head-up display.

The Eagle can be armed with combinations of four different air-to-air weapons: AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder or AIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings, and an internal 20mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.

The F-15E is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system.

For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution APG-70 radar and low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods

Background

The first F-15A flight was made in July 1972, and the first flight of the two-seat F-15B (formerly TF-15A) trainer was made in July 1973. The first Eagle (F-15B) was delivered in November 1974. In January 1976, the first Eagle destined for a combat squadron was delivered.

The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory beginning in 1979. These new models have Production Eagle Package (PEP 2000) improvements, including 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) of additional internal fuel, provision for carrying exterior conformal fuel tanks and increased maximum takeoff weight of up to 68,000 pounds (30,600 kilograms).

 
F-15 Eagle: The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current or projected enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The F-15 Multistage Improvement Program was initiated in February 1983, with the first production MSIP F-15C produced in 1985. Improvements included an upgraded central computer; a Programmable Armament Control Set, allowing for advanced versions of the AIM-7, AIM-9, and AIM-120A missiles; and an expanded Tactical Electronic Warfare System that provides improvements to the ALR-56C radar warning receiver and ALQ-135 countermeasure set. The final 43 included a Hughes APG-70 radar.

F-15C, D and E models were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm where they proved their superior combat capability. F-15C fighters accounted for 34 of the 37 Air Force air-to-air victories. F-15E's were operated mainly at night, hunting SCUD missile launchers and artillery sites using the LANTIRN system.

They have since been deployed for air expeditionary force deployments and operations Southern Watch (no-fly zone in Southern Iraq), Provide Comfort in Turkey, Allied Force in Bosnia, Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

 
F-15 Eagle: OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- An F-15C from the 67th Fighter Squadron prepares to refuel in flight from a KC-135R, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, June 28, 2001, while on a routine training mission over the Pacific ocean. Both units are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvice Krause)

General Characteristics

Primary function: Tactical fighter
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Power plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100, 220 or 229 turbofan engines with afterburners
Thrust: (C/D models) 23,450 pounds each engine
Wingspan: 42.8 feet (13 meters)
Length: 63.8 feet (19.44 meters)
Height: 18.5 feet (5.6 meters)
Weight: 31,700 pounds
Maximum takeoff weight: (C/D models) 68,000 pounds (30,844 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 36,200 pounds (three external plus conformal fuel tanks)
Payload: depends on mission
Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2 class)
Ceiling: 65,000 feet (19,812 meters)
Range: 3,450 miles (3,000 nautical miles) ferry range with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Crew: F-15A/C: one. F-15B/D/E: two
Armament: One internally mounted M-61A1 20mm 20-mm, six-barrel cannon with 940 rounds of ammunition; four AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and four AIM-7F/M Sparrow air-to-air missiles, or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs, carried externally.
Unit Cost: A/B models - $27.9 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars);C/D models - $29.9 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Initial operating capability: September 1975
Inventory: Total force, 522


Source: USAF

Detailed background:

Source: wikipedia.org
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle is an all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It was developed for the United States Air Force, and first flew in July 1972. The F-15E Strike Eagle derivative is an all-weather strike fighter that entered service in 1989. The U.S. Air Force plans to keep the F-15 in service until 2025.

Development

Origins

During the mid-1960s U.S. Air Force intelligence was surprised to find that the Soviet Union was building a large fighter aircraft, known as the MiG-25 'Foxbat'. It was not known in the West at the time that the MiG-25 was designed as a high-speed interceptor, not an air superiority fighter; as such, its primary asset was speed, not maneuverability. The MiG-25's huge tailplanes and vertical stabilizers (tail fins) hinted at a very maneuverable aircraft, which worried the Air Force that its performance might be higher than its American counterparts. In reality, the MiG's large fins and stabilators were necessary to prevent the aircraft from encountering inertia coupling in high-speed, high-altitude flight.

The F-4 Phantom II of the USAF and U.S. Navy was the only fighter with enough power, range and maneuverability to be given the primary task of dealing with the threat of Soviet fighters while flying with visual engagement rules. As a matter of policy, the Phantoms could not engage targets without positive visual identification, so they could not engage targets at long ranges, as designed. Medium-range AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, and to a lesser degree even the AIM-9 Sidewinder, were often unreliable and ineffective at close ranges where it was found that guns were often the only effective weapon.

The Phantom did not originally have a gun, as it was intended that only missiles would be used to engage slowly moving and maneuvering Warsaw Pact bombers and fighters at longer ranges. Experience in Vietnam showed this not to be the case and led to the addition of a gun. At first an external gun pod was tried but that proved inaccurate and increased drag. Later, the 20 mm M61 Vulcan was integrated internally on the F-4E.

F-X program

There was a clear need for a new fighter that overcame the close-range limitation of the Phantom while retaining long-range air superiority. After rejecting the U.S. Navy VFX program (which led to the F-14 Tomcat) as being unsuited to its needs, the U.S. Air Force issued its own requirements for the Fighter Experimental (F-X), a specification for a relatively lightweight air superiority fighter. Four companies submitted proposals, with the Air Force eliminating General Dynamics and selecting Fairchild Republic, North American Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas for the definition phase in December 1968. The companies submitted technical proposals by June 1969. The Air Force announced the selection of McDonnell Douglas on December 23, 1969. The winning design resembled the twin-tailed F-14, but with fixed wings. It would not be significantly lighter or smaller than the F-4 that it would replace.

The Eagle's initial versions were designated F-15A for the single-seat configuration and F-15B (originally TF-15A, but this designation was quickly deprecated, as the F-15B is fully combat-capable) for the twin-seat. These versions would be powered by new Pratt & Whitney F100 engines to achieve a combat thrust-to-weight ratio in excess of 1 to 1. A proposed 25 mm Ford-Philco GAU-7 cannon with caseless ammunition was dropped in favor of the standard M61 Vulcan gun due to development problems. The F-15 retained conformal carriage of four Sparrow missiles like the Phantom. The fixed wing was put onto a flat, wide fuselage that also provided an effective lifting surface. Some questioned if the zoom performance of the F-15 with Sparrow missiles was enough to deal with the new threat of the high-flying MiG-25 "Foxbat"; its capability would eventually be demonstrated in combat.

 
F-15 Eagle: The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current or projected enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
The first F-15A flight was made in July 1972 with the first flight of the two-seat F-15B (formerly TF-15A) following in July 1973.

The F-15 has a "look-down/shoot-down" radar that can distinguish low-flying moving targets from ground clutter. The F-15 would use computer technology with new controls and displays to lower pilot workload and require only one pilot to save weight. Unlike the F-14 or F-4, the F-15 has only a single canopy frame with clear vision forward. The USAF introduced the F-15 as "the first dedicated USAF air superiority fighter since the F-86 Sabre."

The F-15 would be favored by customers such as the Israel Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the development of the F-15R Strike Eagle would produce a strike fighter that would replace the F-111. However, criticism from the fighter mafia that the F-15 was too large to be a dedicated dogfighter, and too expensive to procure in large numbers to replace the F-4 and A-7, led to the Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program, which led to the USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon and the middle-weight Navy F/A-18Hornet.

The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered production in 1978 with the models' first flights in February and June of that year. These new models have Production Eagle Package (PEP 2000) improvements, including 2,000 lb (900 kg) of additional internal fuel, provision for carrying exterior conformal fuel tanks and increased maximum takeoff weight of up to 68,000 lb (30,700 kg). Improvements
The F-15 Multistage Improvement Program (MSIP) was initiated in February 1983 with the first production MSIP F-15C produced in 1985. Improvements included an upgraded central computer; a Programmable Armament Control Set, allowing for advanced versions of the AIM-7, AIM-9, and AIM-120A missiles; and an expanded Tactical Electronic Warfare System that provides improvements to the ALR-56C radar warning receiver and ALQ-135 countermeasure set. The final 43 included the enhanced-capability Hughes APG-70 radar, which was carried forward into the F-15E. The earlier MSIP F-15Cs with the APG-63 were later upgraded to the APG-63(V)1, which significantly improves reliability and maintainability while providing performance similar to the APG-70. The improvements were retrofitted to existing F-15s.

Design

The F-15 has an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage with a large cantilever shoulder-mounted wing. The empennage is all-metal twin fins and rudders with all-moving horizontal tail surfaces outboard of the fins. The F-15 has a spine-mounted air brake and retractable tricycle landing gear. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100 axial-flow turbofan engines with afterburners mounted side-by-side in the fuselage. The cockpit is mounted high in the forward fuselage with a one-piece windscreen and large canopy to increase visibility.

The F-15's maneuverability is derived from low wing loading (weight to wing area ratio) with a high thrust-to-weight ratio enabling the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed. The F-15 can climb to 30,000 feet (10,000 m) in around 60 seconds. The thrust output of the dual engines is greater than the aircraft's weight, thus giving it the ability to accelerate in a vertical climb. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so that one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat. The "A" and "C" models are single-seat variants that make up the bulk of F-15 production. "B" and "D" models add a second seat behind the pilot for training. "E" models use the second seat for a bombardier/navigator.

A multi-mission avionics system includes a head-up display (HUD), advanced radar, inertial guidance system (INS), flight instruments, ultra high frequency (UHF) communications, and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) receivers. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, "identification friend or foe" system, electronic countermeasures suite and a central digital computer.
The heads-up display projects, through a combiner, all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides the pilot information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.

The F-15's versatile APG-63/70 Pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range (the maximum being 120 nautical miles (220 km) away) down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. The capability of locking onto targets as far as 50 nautical miles (90 km) with an AIM-120 AMRAAM enables true beyond visual range (BVR) engagement of targets. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.

A variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. An automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the head-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the head-up display.

The Eagle can be armed with combinations of four different air-to-air weapons: AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or AIM-120 AMRAAM advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder or AIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings, and an internal M61A-1 20 mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.

Low-drag conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) were developed for the F-15C and D models. They can be attached to the sides of the engine air intake trunks under each wing and are designed to the same load factors and airspeed limits as the basic aircraft. However, they degrade performance by increasing drag and cannot be jettisoned in-flight (unlike conventional external tanks). Each conformal fuel tank can hold 750 U.S. gallons (2,840 L) of fuel. These tanks increase range thus reducing the need for in-flight refueling. All external stations for munitions remain available with the tanks in use. Moreover, Sparrow or AMRAAM missiles can be attached to the corners of the conformal fuel tanks. The 57 FIS based at Keflavik NAS, Iceland was the only C-model squadron to utilize CFT's on a regular basis due to its extended operations over the North Atlantic.
With the closure of the 57 FIS the F-15E is the only U.S. variant to carry them on a routine basis. The American CFTs were also provided to Israel and Saudi Arabia but only Israel uses them (as needed) on their entire fleet.

 
F-15 Eagle: OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO -- Two F-15E from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, fire a pair of AIM-7Ms during a training mission. The mission took place over the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system. For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution APG-70 radar and LANTIRN pods to provide thermal imagery.

The APG-63(V)2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar has been retrofitted to 18 U.S. Air Force F-15C aircraft. This upgrade includes most of the new hardware from the APG-63(V)1, but adds an AESA to provide increased pilot situational awareness. The AESA radar has an exceptionally agile beam, providing nearly instantaneous track updates and enhanced multi-target tracking capability. The APG-63(V)2 is compatible with current F-15C weapon loads and enables pilots to take full advantage of AIM-120 AMRAAM capabilities, simultaneously guiding multiple missiles to several targets widely spaced in azimuth, elevation, or range.

Operational history

The largest operator of the F-15 is the United States Air Force. The first Eagle (F-15B) was delivered November 14, 1974. In January 1976, the first Eagle destined for a combat squadron, the 555th TFS, was delivered. These initial aircraft carried the Hughes Aircraft (now Raytheon) APG-63 radar.

The first kill in an F-15 was by IAF ace Moshe Melnik in 1979. In 1979–81 during Israeli-Lebanese border disputes, F-15As downed 13 Syrian MiG-21 "Fishbeds" and two Syrian MiG-25 "Foxbats", the latter being the aircraft the F-15 was designed to kill. F-15A and B models were used by Israel during the Bekaa Valley operation. During the 1982 Lebanon War, the Israeli F-15s shot down 40 Syrian jet fighters (23 MiG-21 "Fishbeds" and 17 MiG-23 "Floggers") and one Syrian SA.342L Gazelle helicopter.

Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C pilots shot down two F-4E Phantom IIs flown by the Iranian Air Force in a border skirmish in June 1984, and shot down two Iraqi Mirage F1s during the Gulf War.

The USAF deployed F-15C, D and E models to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm where they accounted for 36 of the 39 Air Force air-to-air victories. F-15Es were operated mainly at night, hunting modified SCUD missile launchers and artillery sites using the LANTIRN system. According to the USAF, its F-15Cs had 34 confirmed kills of Iraqi aircraft during the 1991 Gulf War, mostly by missile fire: five MiG-29 "Fulcrums", two MiG-25 "Foxbats", eight MiG-23 "Floggers", two MiG-21 "Fishbeds", two Su-25 "Frogfoots", four Su-22 "Fitters", one Su-7, six Mirage F1s, one Il-76 cargo plane, one Pilatus PC-9 trainer, and two Mi-8 helicopters. After air superiority was achieved in the first three days of the conflict, many of the later kills were reportedly of Iraqi aircraft fleeing to Iran, rather than actively trying to engage U.S. aircraft. The single-seat F-15C was used for air superiority, and the F-15E was heavily used in air-to-ground attacks. An F-15E achieved an aerial kill of another Iraqi Mi-8 helicopter using a laser-guided bomb during the air war. The F-15E sustained two losses to ground fire in the Gulf War in 1991. Another one was damaged on the ground by a SCUD strike on Dhahran air base.

They have since been deployed to support Operation Southern Watch, the patrolling of the No-Fly Zone in Southern Iraq; Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey; in support of NATO operations in Bosnia, and recent air expeditionary force deployments. In 1994, two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawks were downed by USAF F-15Cs who thought they were Iraq Hinds in the Northern no-fly zone of Iraq in a friendly fire incident. USAF F-15Cs shot down four Yugoslav MiG-29s using AIM-120 missiles during NATO's 1999 intervention in Kosovo, Operation Allied Force.

As of 2008, the F-15 in all air forces has an air-to-air combined kill record of 104 kills to 0 losses in air combat. To date, no air superiority versions of the F-15 (A/B/C/D models) have ever been shot down by enemy forces. Over half of the F-15's kills were made by Israeli Air Force pilots.

Satellite killer

From January 1984 to September 1986, two F-15As were used as launch platforms for the ASM-135 anti-satellite (ASAT) missile. The F-15As (76-0086 and 77-0084) were modified to carry one ASM-135 on the centerline station with extra equipment within a special centerline pylon. The launch aircraft executed a Mach 1.22, 3.8 g climb at 65° to release the ASAT missile at an altitude of 38,100 feet (11.6 km). The flight computer was updated to control the zoom-climb and missile release. The third test flight involved a retired communications satellite in a 345 statute mile (555 km) orbit, which was successfully destroyed by kinetic energy. The pilot, USAF Major Wilbert D. "Doug" Pearson, became the only pilot to destroy a satellite.

The ASAT missile was designed to be a standoff anti-satellite weapon, with the F-15A acting as a first stage. The Soviet Union could interpret a U.S. rocket launch with a spy satellite loss, but an F-15 carrying an ASAT would blend in among hundreds of F-15 flights. The ASAT program involved five test launches; however, the missile was not known to have entered service. The program was officially terminated in 1988. Grounded by USAF.

All F-15 aircraft were grounded by the U.S. Air Force after a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C came apart in flight and crashed on November 2, 2007. The newer F-15E fleet was later cleared for continued operations. The U.S. Air Force reported on November 28, 2007 that a critical location in the upper longerons on the F-15C model was suspected of causing the failure, causing the fuselage forward of the air intakes, including the cockpit and radome, to separate from the airframe.

F-15A through D-model aircraft were ordered grounded until the location received more detailed inspections and repairs as needed. The grounding of F-15s received media attention as it began to place strains on the nation's air defense efforts. The grounding forced some states to rely on their neighbors' fighter jets for air defense protection, and Alaska to depend on Canadian Forces' support.

On January 8, 2008, the USAF Air Combat Command (ACC) cleared a portion of its F-15A through D-model fleet for return to flying status. It also recommended a limited return to flight for units worldwide using the affected models. The accident review board report was released on January 10, 2008. The report stated that analysis of the F-15C wreckage determined that the longeron did not meet drawing specifications, which led to fatigue cracks and finally a catastrophic failure of the remaining support structures and breakup of the aircraft in flight. In a report released in January 10, 2008, nine other F-15s were identified to have similar problems in the longeron. As a result of these problems, General John D. W. Corley stated that "the long-term future of the F-15 is in question." On February 15, 2008 ACC cleared all its grounded F-15A-D fighters for flight pending inspections, engineering reviews and any needed repairs. ACC also recommended release of other U.S. F-15A-D aircraft.

 
F-15 Eagle: F-15A Eagle launches an AIM-7 Sparrow missile during a Weapons System Evaluation Program. The F-15 is from of the 110th Fighter Squadron, 131st Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Mo.

Future

The F-15C/D model is being supplanted in U.S. service by the F-22 Raptor. The F-15E, however, will remain in service for years to come because of its different air-to-ground role and the lower number of hours on their airframes. On September 26, 2006, at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington D.C., the USAF announced their plan to upgrade 178 F-15C fighters with the AN/APG-63(V)3 AESA radar. Additionally, the Air Force also plans to upgrade other F-15s with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). In keeping with that plan, the Air Force then contracted with Boeing to retrofit F-15Cs with the AN/APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars with delivery beginning in early 2009. The Air Force will keep 178 F-15Cs as well as the 224 F-15Es in service beyond 2025.

Variants

Basic models

F-15A
Single-seat all-weather air-superiority fighter version, 384 built 1972-79.

F-15B
Two-seat training version, formerly designated TF-15A, 61 built 1972-79.

F-15C
Improved single-seat all-weather air-superiority fighter version, 483 built 1979-85.

F-15D
Two-seat training version, 92 built 1979-85.

F-15J
Single-seat all-weather air-superiority fighter version for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 139 built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi 1981-97, 2 built in St. Louis.

F-15DJ
Two-seat training version for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force. 25 Built under license in Japan by Mitsubishi 1981-97, 12 built in St. Louis.

F-15N Sea Eagle
The F-15N was a carrier-capable variant proposed in the early 1970s to the U.S. Navy as an alternative to
the heavier and, at the time, considered as "riskier" technology program: F-14 Tomcat. The F-15N-PHX was another proposed naval version capable of carrying the AIM-54 Phoenix missile. These featured folding wingtips, reinforced landing gear and a stronger tail hook for shipboard operation.

F-15E and related

F-15E Strike Eagle
Two-seat all-weather long-range strike and ground-attack aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, 237 built 1985-2001.

F-15F Strike Eagle
Proposed single seat model of the F-15E.

F-15H Strike Eagle
Export model of the F-15E Strike Eagle for Hellenic Air Force (canceled)

F-15I Ra'am (Thunder)
Advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle for the Israeli Air Force, 25 built 1996-98.

F-15K Slam Eagle
Advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle for the Republic of Korea Air Force, 40 built 2005-08.

F-15S Strike Eagle
Export version of the F-15E Strike Eagle for the Royal Saudi Air Force, 72 built 1996-98.

F-15SG Strike Eagle
Advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Variant was formerly designated F-15T.


F-15 Eagle: Three F-15C and one F-15D aircraft fly next to Mt. Fuji. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvin Krause)

Research and test

F-15 Streak Eagle (72-0119)
One stripped and unpainted F-15A, demonstrated the fighter's acceleration – broke eight time-to-climb world records between January 16 and February 1, 1975. It was delivered to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in December 1980.

F-15 S/MTD (71-0290)
The first F-15B was converted into a short takeoff and landing, maneuver technology demonstrator aircraft.

F-15 ACTIVE (71-0290)
The F-15 S/MTD was later converted into an advanced flight control technology research aircraft with thrust vectoring nozzles.

F-15 IFCS (71-0290)
The F-15 ACTIVE was then converted into an intelligent flight control systems research aircraft.

F-15 MANX
Concept name for a tailless variant of the F-15 ACTIVE, but the NASA ACTIVE experimental aircraft was never modified to be tailless.

F-15 Flight Research Facility (71-0281 and 71-0287)
Two F-15A aircraft were acquired in 1976 for use by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center for numerous experiments such as: Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control (HiDEC), Adaptive Engine Control System (ADECS), Self-Repairing and Self-Diagnostic Flight Control System (SRFCS) and Propulsion Controlled Aircraft System (PCA). 71-0281 was returned to the Air Force and became a static display at Langley AFB in 1983.

F-15B Research Testbed (74-0141)
Acquired in 1993, it is a highly modified F-15B used by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.

Notable accidents and incidents

On May 1, 1983, during an Israeli Air Force training dogfight, a F-15D collided with a A-4 Skyhawk. Unknown to pilot Zivi Nedivi, and his copilot, the right wing of the Eagle was torn off roughly two feet (60 cm) from the fuselage. The pilot managed to regain control of the aircraft and prevented it from stalling, ultimately landing the crippled aircraft successfully. The F-15 was able to stay in the air because of the lift generated by the large horizontal surface area of the fuselage, the large and effective stabilators and the surviving wing. Landing at twice the normal speed to maintain the necessary lift, although the tailhook was torn off completely during the landing, Zivi managed to bring his F-15 to a complete stop approximately 20 feet (6 m) from the end of the runway. He was later quoted as saying "(I) probably would have ejected if I knew what had happened."

On November 22, 1995, during air-intercept training over the Sea of Japan, a Japanese F-15J was shot-down by a AIM-9L sidewinder missile accidentally fired by his wingman. The pilot, Lt. Tatsumi Higuchi, ejected safely. Both F-15Js involved were from JASDF 303rd Squadron, Komatsu AFB.

On November 2, 2007, a 25-year-old F-15C (s/n 80-0034 of the 131st Fighter Wing) crashed during air combat maneuvering training near St. Louis, Missouri. The pilot, Maj. Stephen W. Stilwell, ejected but suffered serious injuries. The crash was the result of an in-flight breakup due to structural failure. On November 3, 2007, all non-mission critical models of the F-15 were grounded pending the outcome of the crash investigation, and on the following day, grounded non-mission critical F-15s engaged in combat missions in the Middle East. By November 13, 2007 over 1,100 were grounded worldwide after Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia grounded their aircraft as well. F-15Es were cleared on November 15, 2007 pending aircraft passing inspections. On January 8, 2008, the USAF cleared 60 percent of the F-15A-D fleet for return to flight. On January 10, 2008, the accident review board released its report stating the November 2 crash was related to the longeron not meeting drawing specifications. The Air Force cleared all its grounded F-15A-D fighters for flight on February 15, 2008 pending inspections, reviews and any needed repairs. In March 2008, Stilwell, the injured pilot, filed a lawsuit against Boeing, the F-15's manufacturer.

More photos:

 
F-15 Eagle: OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- An F-15C from the 67th Fighter Squadron prepares to refuel in flight from a KC-135R, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, June 28, 2001, while on a routine training mission over the Pacific ocean. Both units are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvice Krause)

F-15 Eagle: OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- An F-15C from the 67th Fighter Squadron refuels in flight from a KC-135R, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, June 28, 2001, while on a routine training mission over the Pacific ocean. Both units are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvice Krause)

 
F-15 Eagle: Three F-15C and one F-15D aircraft fly next to Mt. Fuji. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvin Krause)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH -- An F-15 Eagle waits on Oct. 27, 2000, for the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker over Saudi Arabia. The F-15s are a part of the coalition forces of the 363d Air Expeditionary Wing who enforces the no-fly and no-drive zone in Southern Iraq to protect and defend against Iraqi aggression. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean M. Worrell)

 
F-15 Eagle: A B-1B Lancer and an F-15 Eagle fly in formation. The B-1B is a long-range strategic bomber with a top speed more than 900 mph. It is capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling. The F-15 Eagle is the Air Force's premier air-to-air fighter. Both will be on display at the Istres Air Show, Istres, France, May 20. (U.S. Air Force file photo by Senior Airman Greg Davis)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION ALLIED FORCE -- An F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, breaks away from a 100th Air Expeditionary Wing KC-135R Stratotanker from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. Armed with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles on the fuselage, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the inboard wing pylon, and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles on the outboard wing pylon, the Eagles are flying Combat Air Patrol missions to maintain air superiority and protect Operation Allied Force aircraft. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

 
F-15 Eagle: EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An F-15 Eagle from the 445th Flight Test Squadron here banks over mountains in the Sequoia National Forest. The F-15 was flying as a chase aircraft during recent B-1B bomber tests. Throughout the years, Edwards has evaluated the world's current premier air superiority fighter for engine enhancements, radar improvements and weapons additions.(U.S. Air Force photo by George Rolhmaller)

 
F-15 Eagle: The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current or projected enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

 
F-15 Eagle: The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Dave Nolan)

 
F-15 Eagle: F-15A Eagle launches an AIM-7 Sparrow missile during a Weapons System Evaluation Program. The F-15 is from of the 110th Fighter Squadron, 131st Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Mo.

 
F-15 Eagle: NAHA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Lt. Gen. Paul Hester (in foreground), 5th Air Force commander, and 67th Fighter Squadron commander Lt. Col. James Browne fly their F-15C Eagles from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, near the coast of Naha, Okinawa, Japan, during a training mission. (U.S. Air Force by Master Sgt. Marvin Krause)

 
F-15 Eagle: NAHA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Lt. Gen. Paul Hester (in foreground), 5th Air Force commander, and 67th Fighter Squadron commander Lt. Col. James Browne fly their F-15C Eagles from the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, near the coast of Naha, Okinawa, Japan, during a training mission. (U.S. Air Force by Master Sgt. Marvin Krause)

 
F-15 Eagle: The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current or projected enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)

 
F-15 Eagle: The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current or projected enemy aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)

 
F-15 Eagle: An Air Force F-15 Eagle from the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., takes off for a mission during exercise Roving Sands '99. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Myles Cullen)

 
F-15 Eagle: CERVIA AIR BASE, Italy -- An F-15 Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force, Lakenheath, England, takes-off from here. The 493rd FS deployed to Cervia to support airstrike operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Lozada)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE -- An F-15C Eagle from Langley Air Force Base, Va., flies over Washington during an early morning combat air patrol mission in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom are not only a joint U.S. campaign, they are combined campaigns. Coalition allies have flown nearly 1,000 missions, highlighting international resolve in the war on terrorism. NATO partners deployed forces to the US for the first time to help defend American air space. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg L. Davis)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE -- Two F-15 Eagles from the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 102nd Fighter Wing fly a combat air patrol mission over New York City in support of Operation Noble Eagle. North American Aerospace Defense Command has more than 100 ANG and Air Force Reserve fighters from 26 locations providing homeland defense, with another 100 fighters backing them up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Bill Ramsay)


 
F-15 Eagle: Two Air-Defense Fighter F-16A Fighting Falcons from the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 178th Fighter Squadron lead an F-15C Eagle from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., in formation during a combat air patrol mission in support of Operation Noble Eagle. More than 11,000 airmen -- the majority Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve -- have generated more than 7,500 sorties to patrol American skies 24/7 since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg L. Davis)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE -- An F-15 Eagle from the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 102nd Fighter Wing flies a combat air patrol mission over New York City in support of Operation Noble Eagle. More than 30,000 people in the ANG and Air Force Reserve have been called to active duty to support Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Bill Ramsay)

 
F-15 Eagle: CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, Ore. -- F-15s from the 114th Fighter Squadron, Kinglsey Field Air National Guard Base, Klamath Falls, Ore., fly in formation over Crater Lake National Park. The 114th FS trains Air National Guard pilots to fly the F-15. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

 
F-15 Eagle: An F-15 Eagle enforces the Northern no-fly zones over Northern Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo)

 
F-15 Eagle: A three-ship formation of F-15As from the 110th Fighter Squadron, 131st Fighter Wing, St. Louis Air National Guard, during a Weapons System Evaluation Program. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

 
F-15 Eagle: SOUTHWEST ASIA -- An F-15 Eagle from the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., receives fuel from a tanker assigned to the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing, operating from a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- An F-15C Eagle turns away from a tanker aircraft after receiving a full fuel load high over the deserts of Southwest Asia. The F-15 is from the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U. S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- An F-15C Eagle pilot completes an inflight refueling high over the Southwest Asia desert. The F-15C is operating from a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Two F-15 Eagles assigned to the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing prepare to take off for a mission from a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia on March 27. According to a defense official, coalition air forces are averaging about 1,000 sorties a night after the first week of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Air Force has also dropped more than 5,000 precision-guided munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)

 
F-15 Eagle: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- An F-15C Eagle from the 363rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off for an Operation Iraqi Freedom sortie March 23. Aircraft from the 363rd EFS work around the clock flying missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)

 
F-15 Eagle: NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Major Andy "Sparky" Croft, 433rd Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, based here, flies over the desert May 30. Croft is participating in USAFWS Mission Employment Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert W. Valenca)

 
F-15 Eagle: ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- Over the South Pacific, F-15 Eagles are refueled from a KC-135 Stratotanker on April 25. The aircraft are deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, for Tandem Thrust '03, an exercise conducted in the Mariana Islands. The exercise includes forces from the United States, Canada and Australia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Kimble)

 
F-15 Eagle: ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A pair of F-15 Eagles from the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, return here after an exercise Cope North mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

 
F-15 Eagle: ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-15 Eagle from the 12th Fighter Squadron here prepares to taxi out for a real world deployment Oct. 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Adrian Cadiz)

 
F-15 Eagle: PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE, Saudi Arabia -- An F-15 Eagle takes off during Operation Southern Watch, which was a major operation here for the past seven years. U.S. officials ended an era with the inactivation of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing at a ceremony Aug. 26. At the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the base was home to more than 5,000 troops and about 200 coalition aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Sean M. Worrell)

 
F-15 Eagle: EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- An F-15 Eagle from the 60th Fighter Squadron takes off from here. Airmen and aircraft from the 33rd Fighter Wing participated in a joint combat-identification exercise in Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bob Zoellner)

 
F-15 Eagle: 1990's -- A 1st Tactical Fighter Wing F-15C Eagle aircraft refuels from a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft while on a combat patrol near the Iraqi border during Operation Desert Shield.

 
F-15 Eagle: 1990's -- F-15C Eagle aircraft armed with AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles deploy to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. The aircraft are assigned to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing.

 
F-15 Eagle: 1990's -- A 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-15 Eagle aircraft banks to the right following refueling during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft is armed with four AIM-7 Sparrow missiles on the fuselage, an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on the left wing and an AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile on the right wing.

 
F-15 Eagle: OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO -- Maj. Phillip Campbell, an F-15 Eagle instructor pilot, fires a radar-guided, air-to-air AIM-7 Sparrow at an aerial target drone during a weapons evaluation mission March 1. The major is assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Ammons)

MiG-29N Fulcrum

F-4 Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the U.S. Navy by McDonnell Aircraft.




First flown in May 1958, the Phantom II originally was developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense. The U.S. Air Force's first version, the F-4C, made its first flight in May 1963, and production deliveries began six months later. Phantom II production ended in 1979 after over 5,000 had been built -- more than 2,600 for the USAF, about 1,200 for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest for friendly foreign nations

In 1965 the USAF sent its first F-4Cs to Southeast Asia, where they flew air-to-air missions against North Vietnamese fighters as well as attacking ground targets. The first USAF pilot to score four combat victories with F-4s in Southeast Asia was Col. Robin Olds, a World War II ace. The aircraft on display is the one in which Col. Olds, the pilot, and Lt. Stephen Croker, the weapons system officer, destroyed two MiG-17s in a single day, May 20, 1967.


In its air-to-ground role, the F-4C could carry twice the normal load of a WWII B-17. The armament loaded on the aircraft on display is a typical configuration for an F-4C in 1967. It consists of four AIM-7E and four AIM-9B air-to-air missiles, and eight 750-pound Mk 117 bombs. The aircraft also carries two external fuel tanks on the outboard pylons and one ALQ-87 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod on the right inboard pylon.

Technical notes:

Armament: Up to 16,000 lbs. of externally carried ordnance
Engines: Two General Electric J-79-GE-15s of 17,000 lbs. thrust each
Maximum speed: 1,400 mph
Cruising speed: 590 mph
Range: 1,750 miles
Ceiling: 59,600 ft.
Span: 38 ft. 5 in. (27 ft. 6 in. folded)
Length: 58 ft. 2 in.
Height: 16 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 58,000 lbs. loaded


Source: US Air Force


 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301), foreground, and an F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302), background.

Detailed background:

Source: wikipedia.org
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the U.S. Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. Proving highly adaptable, it became a major part of the air wings of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force. It was used extensively by all three of these services during the Vietnam War, serving as the principal air superiority fighter for both the Navy and Air Force, as well as being important in the ground-attack and reconnaissance roles by the close of U.S. involvement in the war.

First entering service in 1960, the Phantom continued to form a major part of U.S. military air power throughout the 1970s and 1980s, being gradually replaced by more modern aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in the U.S. Air Force the F-14. Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet in the U.S. Navy; and the F/A-18 in the U.S. Marine Corps. It remained in use by the U.S. in the reconnaissance and Wild Weasel roles in the 1991 Gulf War, finally leaving service in 1996. The Phantom was also operated by the armed forces of 11 other nations. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat in several Arab–Israeli conflicts, while Iran used its large fleet of Phantoms in the Iran–Iraq War. Phantoms remain in front line service with seven countries, and in use as an unmanned target in the U.S. Air Force.

Phantom production ran from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built. This extensive run makes it the second most-produced Western jet fighter, behind the F-86 Sabre at just under 10,000 examples.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air view of the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft as it undergoes refueling from a KC-10A Extender aircraft during the joint Australia/New Zealand/US Exercise PITCH BLACK '84. The F-4 is assigned to the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing.

Overview

The F-4 Phantom was designed as a fleet defense fighter for the U.S. Navy, and first entered service in 1960. By 1963, it had been adopted by the U.S. Air Force for the fighter-bomber role. When production ended in 1981, 5,195 Phantom IIs had been built, making it the most numerous American supersonic military aircraft. Until the advent of the F-15 Eagle, the F-4 also held a record for the longest continuous production for a fighter with a run of 24 years. Innovations in the F-4 included an advanced pulse-doppler radar and extensive use of titanium in its airframe.

Despite the imposing dimensions and a maximum takeoff weight of over 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg), the F-4 had a top speed of Mach 2.23 and an initial climb of over 41,000 ft per minute (210 m/s). Shortly after its introduction, the Phantom set 15 world records, including an absolute speed record of 1,606.342 mph (2,585.086 km/h), and an absolute altitude record of 98,557 ft (30,040 m). Although set in 1959–1962, five of the speed records were not broken until 1975 when the F-15 Eagle came into service.

The F-4 could carry up to 18,650 pounds (8,480 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and unguided, guided, and nuclear bombs. Since the F-8 Crusader was to be used for close combat, the F-4 was designed, like other interceptors of the day, without an internal cannon. In a dogfight, the RIO or WSO (commonly called "backseater" or "pitter") assisted in spotting opposing fighters, visually as well as on radar. It became the primary fighter-bomber of both the Navy and Air Force by the end of the Vietnam War.

Due to its distinctive appearance and widespread service with United States military and its allies, the F-4 is one of the best-known icons of the Cold War. It served in the Vietnam War and Arab–Israeli conflicts, with American F-4 crews claiming 277 aerial victories in Southeast Asia and completing countless ground attack sorties.The Blue Angels flew F-4Js from 1969 to 1974.

The F-4 Phantom has the distinction of being the last United States fighter flown to attain ace status in the 20th century. During the Vietnam War, the USAF had one pilot and two WSOs, and the USN one pilot and one RIO, become aces in air-to-air combat. It was also a capable tactical reconnaissance and Wild Weasel (suppression of enemy air defenses) platform, seeing action as late as 1991, during Operation Desert Storm.
The F-4 Phantom II was also the only aircraft used by both US flight demonstration teams. The USAF Thunderbirds (F-4E) and the USN Blue Angels (F-4J) both switched to the Phantom for the 1969 season; the Thunderbirds flew it for five seasons, the Blue Angels for six.

The baseline performance of a Mach 2-class fighter with long range and a bomber-sized payload would be the template for the next generation of large and light/middle-weight fighters optimized for daylight air combat. The Phantom would be replaced by the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in the U.S. Air Force. In the U.S. Navy, it would be replaced by the F-14 Tomcat and the F/A-18 Hornet which revived the concept of a dual-role attack fighter.

Design and development

Origins

In 1952, McDonnell's Chief of Aerodynamics, Dave Lewis, was appointed by CEO Jim McDonnell to be the company’s Preliminary Design Manager. With no new aircraft competitions on the horizon, internal studies concluded the Navy had the greatest need for a new and different aircraft type: an attack fighter.

In 1953, McDonnell Aircraft began work on revising its F3H Demon naval fighter, seeking expanded capabilities and better performance. The company developed several projects including a variant powered by a Wright J67 engine, and variants powered by two Wright J65 engines, or two General Electric J79 engines. The J79-powered version promised a top speed of Mach 1.97. On 19 September 1953, McDonnell approached the United States Navy with a proposal for the "Super Demon". Uniquely, the aircraft was to be modular—it could be fitted with one- or two-seat noses for different missions, with different nose cones to accommodate radar, photo cameras, four 20-millimeter cannon, or 56 FFAR unguided rockets in addition to the nine hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage. The Navy was sufficiently interested to order a full-scale mock-up of the F3H-G/H but felt that the upcoming Grumman XF9F-9 and Vought XF8U-1 already satisfied the need for the supersonic fighter.

The McDonnell design was therefore reworked into an all-weather fighter-bomber with 11 external hardpoints for weapons and on 18 October 1954, the company received a letter of intent for two YAH-1 prototypes. On 26 May 1955, four Navy officers arrived at the McDonnell offices and, within an hour, presented the company with an entirely new set of requirements. Because the Navy already had the A-4 Skyhawk for ground attack and F-8 Crusader for dogfighting, the project now had to fulfill the need for an all-weather fleet defense interceptor. A second crewman was added to operate the powerful radar. XF4H-1 prototype

The XF4H-1 was designed to carry four semi-recessed AAM-N-6 Sparrow III radar-guided missiles, and to be powered by two J79-GE-8 engines. As in the F-101 Voodoo, the engines sat low in the fuselage to maximize internal fuel capacity and ingested air through fixed geometry intakes. The thin-section wing had a leading edge sweep of 45 degrees and was equipped with a boundary layer control system for better low-speed handling.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air left side view OF AN F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Reserve Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301) ascending while in flight off the coast of Southern California.
Wind tunnel testing had revealed lateral instability requiring the addition of five degrees dihedral to the wings.

To avoid redesigning the titanium central section of the aircraft, McDonnell engineers angled up only the outer portions of the wings by 12 degrees which averaged to the required five degrees over the entire wingspan. The wings also received the distinctive "dogtooth" for improved control at high angles of attack. The all-moving tailplane was given 23 degrees of anhedral to improve control at high angles of attack while still keeping the tailplane clear of the engine exhaust. In addition, air intakes were equipped with movable ramps to regulate airflow to the engines at supersonic speeds. All-weather intercept capability was achieved thanks to the AN/APQ-50 radar. To accommodate carrier operations, the landing gear was designed to withstand landings with a sink rate of 23 ft per second (7 m/s), while the nose strut could extend by some 20 inches (50 cm) to increase angle of attack at takeoff.

Naming the aircraft

There were proposals to name the F4H "Satan" and "Mithras", the Persian god of light. In the end, the aircraft was given the less controversial name "Phantom II", the first "Phantom" being another McDonnell jet fighter, the FH-1 Phantom. The Phantom II was briefly given the designation F-110A and the name "Spectre" by the USAF, but neither title was used.

Prototype testing

On 25 July 1955, the Navy ordered two XF4H-1 test aircraft and five YF4H-1 pre-production fighters. The Phantom made its maiden flight on 27 May 1958 with Robert C. Little at the controls. A hydraulic problem precluded retraction of the landing gear but subsequent flights went more smoothly. Early testing resulted in redesign of the air intakes, including the distinctive addition of 12,500 bleed air holes on each ramp; and the aircraft soon squared off against the XF8U-3 Crusader III. Due to operator workload, the Navy wanted a two-seat aircraft and on 17 December 1958 the F4H was declared a winner. Delays with the J79-GE-8 engines meant that the first production aircraft were fitted with J79-GE-2 and -2A engines, each having 16,100 pound-force (71.8 kN) of afterburning thrust. In 1959, the Phantom began carrier suitability trials with the first complete launch-recovery cycle performed on 15 February 1960 from USS Independence.

Production

Early in production, the radar was upgraded to a larger AN/APQ-72, necessitating the bulbous nose, and the canopy was reworked to improve visibility and make the rear cockpit less claustrophobic. The Phantom underwent a great many changes during its career, summarized in the "Variants" section below.
The USAF received Phantoms as the result of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara's push to create a unified fighter for all branches of the military. After an F-4B won the "Operation Highspeed" fly-off against the F-106 Delta Dart, the USAF borrowed two Naval F-4Bs, temporarily designating them F-110A "Spectre" in January 1962, and developed requirements for their own version. Unlike the Navy focus on interception, the USAF emphasized a fighter-bomber role. With McNamara's unification of designations on 18 September 1962, the Phantom became the F-4 with the Naval version designated F-4B and USAF F-4C. The first Air Force Phantom flew on 27 May 1963, exceeding Mach 2 on its maiden flight.

Phantom II production ended in the United States in 1979 after 5,195 had been built (5,057 by McDonnell Douglas and 138 in Japan by Mitsubishi), making it the second-most produced and exported American military-jet; the F-86 Sabre still remains the most numerous jet-powered warplane produced and exported by the United States. Of these, 2,874 went to the USAF, 1,264 to the Navy and Marine Corps, and the rest to foreign customers. The last U.S.-built F-4 went to Turkey, while the last F-4 ever built was completed in 1981 as an F-4EJ by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. As of 2001, about 1,100 Phantoms remained in service worldwide, including QF-4 drones operated by the U.S. military.

World records

To show off their new fighter, the Navy led a series of record-breaking flights early in Phantom development:

* Operation Top Flight: On 6 December 1959, the second XF4H-1 performed a zoom climb to a world record 98,557 ft (30,040 m). The previous record of 94,658 ft (28,852 m) was set by a Soviet Sukhoi T-43-1 prototype. Commander Lawrence E. Flint, Jr., USN accelerated his aircraft to Mach 2.5 at 47,000 ft (14,330 m) and climbed to 90,000 ft (27,430 m) at a 45 degree angle. He then shut down the engines and glided to the peak altitude. As the aircraft fell through 70,000 ft (21,300 m), Flint restarted the engines and resumed normal flight.

* On 5 September 1960, an F4H-1 averaged 1,216.78 mph (1,958.16 km/h) over a 500 kilometer (311 mi) closed-circuit course.
* On 25 September 1960, an F4H-1 averaged 1,390.21 mph (2,237.26 km/h) over a 100 kilometer (62 mi) closed-circuit course.

* Operation LANA: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Naval aviation (L is the Roman numeral for 50 and ANA stood for Anniversary of Naval Aviation) on 24 May 1961, Phantoms flew across the continental United States in under three hours and included several tanker refuelings. The fastest of the aircraft averaged 869.74 mph (1,400.28 km/h) and completed the trip in 2 hours 47 minutes, earning the pilot (and future NASA Astronaut), Lieutenant Richard Gordon, USN and RIO, Lieutenant Bobbie Long, USN, the 1961 Bendix trophy.

* Operation Sageburner: On 28 August 1961, a Phantom averaged 902.769 mph (1,452.826 km/h) over a three-mile (4.82 km) course flying below 125 ft (40 m) at all times. Commander J.L. Felsman, USN was killed during the first attempt at this record on 18 May 1961 when his aircraft disintegrated in the air after pitch damper failure.

* Operation Skyburner: On 22 December 1961, a modified Phantom with water injection set an absolute world record speed of 1,606.342 mph (2,585.086 km/h).

* On 5 December 1961, another Phantom set a sustained altitude record of 66,443.8 ft (20,252.1 m).


* Operation High Jump: A series of time-to-altitude records was set in early 1962; 34.523 seconds to 3,000 m (9,840 ft), 48.787 seconds to 6,000 m (19,680 ft), 61.629 seconds to 9,000 m (29,530 ft), 77.156 seconds to 12,000 m (39,370 ft), 114.548 seconds to 15,000 m (49,210 ft), 178.5 seconds to 20,000 m (65,600 ft), 230.44 seconds to 25,000 m (82,000 ft), and 371.43 seconds to 30,000 m (98,400 ft). Although not officially recognized, the Phantom zoom-climbed to over 100,000 ft (30,480 m) during the last attempt.


All in all, the Phantom set 16 world records. With the exception of Skyburner, all records were achieved in unmodified production aircraft. Five of the speed records remained unbeaten until the F-15 Eagle appeared in 1975.

Flight characteristics

In air combat, the Phantom's greatest advantage was its thrust, which permitted a skilled pilot to engage and disengage from the fight at will. The massive aircraft, designed to fire radar-guided missiles from beyond visual range, lacked the agility of its Soviet opponents and was subject to adverse yaw during hard maneuvering. Although thus subject to irrecoverable spins during aileron rolls, pilots reported the aircraft to be very communicative and easy to fly on the edge of its performance envelope. In 1972, the F-4E model was upgraded with leading edge slats on the wing, greatly improving high-angle-of-attack maneuverability at the expense of top speed.

The J79 engines produced copious amounts of black smoke at military power which made the Phantoms easy to spot from a distance, a severe disadvantage in air combat against smaller aircraft. Pilots could eliminate the smoke by using afterburner, but at the cost of fuel efficiency. Some pilots adopted the procedure of running one engine in dry thrust at normal power setting, and the other in afterburner, resulting in the same total thrust as using both engines at full rated military power without generating the tell-tale smoke trail.

The F-4's biggest weakness, as it was initially designed, was its lack of an internal cannon. For a brief period, doctrine held that turning combat would be impossible at supersonic speeds and little effort was made to teach pilots air combat maneuvering. In reality, engagements quickly became subsonic. Furthermore, the relatively new heat-seeking and radar-guided missiles at the time were frequently reported as unreliable and pilots had to use multiple shots just to hit one target. To compound the problem, rules of engagement in Vietnam precluded long-range missile attacks in most instances, as visual identification was normally required.

Many pilots found themselves on the tail of an enemy aircraft but too close to fire short-range Falcons or Sidewinders. Although in 1967 USAF F-4Cs began carrying SUU-16 or SUU-23 external gunpods containing a 20 millimeter M61 Vulcan Gatling cannon, USAF cockpits were not equipped with lead-computing gunsights, virtually assuring a miss in a maneuvering fight. Some Marine Corps aircraft carried two pods for strafing. In addition to the loss of performance due to drag, combat showed the externally mounted cannon to be inaccurate unless frequently boresighted, yet far more cost-effective than missiles. The lack of cannon was finally addressed by adding an internally mounted 20 millimeter M61 Vulcan on the F-4E.

Operational history

United States Navy

On 30 December 1960, the VF-121 Pacemakers at NAS Miramar became the first Phantom operator with its F4H-1Fs (F-4As). The VF-74 Be-devilers at NAS Oceana became the first deployable Phantom squadron when it received its F4H-1s (F-4Bs) on 8 July 1961. The squadron completed carrier qualifications in October 1961 and Phantom’s first full carrier deployment between August 1962 and March 1963 aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59)Template:WP Ships USS instances. The second deployable US Atlantic Fleet squadron to receive F-4Bs was the VF-102 Diamondbacks, who promptly took their new aircraft on the shakedown cruise of USS Enterprise. The first deployable US Pacific Fleet squadron to receive the F-4B was the VF-114 Aardvarks, which participated in the September 1962 cruise aboard USS Kitty Hawk.

By the time of the Tonkin Gulf incident, 13 of 31 deployable Navy squadrons were armed with the type. F-4Bs from USS Constellation made the first Phantom combat sortie of the Vietnam War on 5 August 1964, flying bomber escort in Operation Pierce Arrow. The first Phantom air-to-air victory of the war took place on 9 April 1965 when an F-4B from VF-96 Fighting Falcons piloted by Lieutenant (junior grade) Terence M.

Murphy and his RIO, Ensign Ronald Fegan, shot down a Chinese MiG-17 'Fresco'. The Phantom was then shot down, apparently by an AIM-7 Sparrow from one of its wingmen. There continues to be controversy over whether the Phantom was shot down by MiG guns or whether, as enemy reports later indicated, an AIM-7 Sparrow III from one of Murphy's and Fegan's wingmen. On 17 June 1965, an F-4B from VF-21 Freelancers piloted by Commander Thomas C. Page and Lieutenant John C. Smith shot down the first North Vietnamese MiG of the war.

On 10 May 1972, Lieutenant Randy "Duke" Cunningham and Lieutenant (junior grade) William P. Driscoll flying an F-4J, call sign "Showtime 100", shot down three MiG-17s to become the first flying aces of the war. Their fifth victory was believed at the time to be over a mysterious North Vietnamese ace, Colonel Toon, now considered mythical. On the return flight, the Phantom was damaged by an enemy surface-to-air missile. To avoid being captured, Cunningham and Driscoll flew their burning aircraft upside down (the damage made the aircraft uncontrollable in a conventional attitude) until they could eject over water. Cunningham and Driscoll became USN aces by shooting down five or more enemy aircraft.

During the war, Navy Phantom squadrons participated in 84 combat tours with F-4Bs, F-4Js, and F-4Ns. The Navy claimed 40 air-to-air victories at the cost of 71 Phantoms lost in combat (5 to aircraft, 13 to SAMs, and 53 to AAA). An additional 54 Phantoms were lost in accidents. Of the 40 aircraft shot down by Navy and Marine Phantom crews, 22 were MiG-17s, 14 MiG-21s, two Antonov An-2s, and two MiG-19s. Of these, eight aircraft were downed by AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and 31 by AIM-9 Sidewinders.

By 1983, the F-4Ns had been completely replaced by F-14 Tomcats, and by 1986 the last F-4Ss were exchanged for F/A-18 Hornets. On 25 March 1986, an F-4S belonging to VF-151 Vigilantes became the last Navy Phantom to launch from an aircraft carrier, in this case, the USS Midway. On 18 October 1986, an F-4S from the VF-202 Superheats, a Naval Reserve fighter squadron, made the last-ever Phantom carrier landing while operating aboard USS America. In 1987, the last of the Naval Reserve-operated F-4Ss were replaced by F-14As. The last Phantoms in service with the Navy were QF-4 target drones operated by the Naval Air Warfare Centers. These were retired in 2004.

United States Marine Corps

The Marines received their first F-4Bs in June 1962, with the Black Knights of VMFA-314 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California becoming the first operational squadron. In addition to attack variants, the Marines also operated several tactical reconnaissance RF-4Bs. Marine Phantoms from VMFA-531 arrived in Vietnam on 10 April 1965, flying close air support missions from land bases as well as from USS America. Marine F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs (two while on exchange duty with the USAF) at the cost of 75 aircraft lost in combat, mostly to ground fire, and four in accidents. On 18 January 1992, the last Marine Phantom, an F-4S, was retired by the Cowboys of VMFA-112. The squadron was re-equipped with F/A-18 Hornets.

United States Air Force

In USAF service the F-4 was initially designated the F-110 Spectre prior to the introduction of the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system. At first reluctant to adopt a Navy fighter, the USAF quickly embraced the design and became the largest Phantom user. The first Air Force Phantoms in Vietnam were F-4Cs from the 555th "Triple Nickel" Tactical Fighter Squadron, which arrived in December 1964.

Unlike the Navy, which flew the Phantom with a Naval Aviator (pilot) in the front seat and a Naval Flight Officer as a radar intercept officer (RIO) in the back seat, the Air Force initially flew its Phantoms with a rated pilot in the back seat. This policy was later changed to using a navigator qualified as a weapon/targeting systems officer (later designated as weapon systems officer or WSO) in the rear seat. However, because they originally flew with pilots in the rear seat, all USAF Phantoms retained dual flight controls throughout their service life.

USAF F-4Cs scored their first victories against North Vietnamese MiG-17s on 10 July 1965 using AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. On 24 July 1965, a Phantom from the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron on temporary assignment in Vietnam became the first American aircraft to be downed by an enemy SAM, and on 5 October 1966 an 8th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4C became the first U.S. jet lost to an air-to-air missile, fired by a MiG-21 "Fishbed".

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air overhead view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft of the 191st Fighter Interceptor Group being refueled during Exercise AMALGAM BRAVE '87, an air defense training exercise.

Early aircraft suffered from leaks in wing fuel tanks that required re-sealing after each flight and 85 aircraft were found to have cracks in outer wing ribs and stringers. There were also problems with aileron control cylinders, electrical connectors, and engine compartment fires. Reconnaissance RF-4Cs made their debut in Vietnam on 30 October 1965, flying the hazardous post-strike reconnaissance missions.

Although the F-4C was essentially identical to the Navy F-4B in flight performance and carried the Navy-designed Sidewinder missiles, USAF-tailored F-4Ds initially arrived in June 1967 equipped with AIM-4 Falcons. However, the Falcon, like its predecessors, was designed to shoot down bombers flying straight and level. Its reliability proved no better than others, and its complex firing sequence and limited seeker-head cooling time made it virtually useless in combat against agile fighters. The F-4Ds reverted to using Sidewinders under the "Rivet Haste" program in early 1968, and by 1972, the AIM-7E-2 "Dogfight Sparrow" had become the preferred missile for USAF pilots. Like other Vietnam War Phantoms, the F-4Ds were urgently fitted with radar homing and warning (RHAW) antennae to detect the Soviet-built SA-2 Guideline SAMs.

From the initial deployment of the F-4C to Southeast Asia, USAF Phantoms performed both air superiority and ground attack roles, supporting not only ground troops in South Vietnam but also conducting bombing sorties in Laos and North Vietnam. As the F-105 force underwent severe attrition between 1965 and 1968, the bombing role of the F-4 proportionately increased until after November 1970 (when the last F-105D was withdrawn from combat) it became the primary USAF ordnance delivery system. In October 1972 the first squadron of EF-4C Wild Weasel aircraft deployed to Thailand on temporary duty. The "E" prefix was later dropped and the aircraft were simply known as F-4C Wild Weasels.

Sixteen squadrons of Phantoms were permanently deployed between 1965 and 1973, and 17 others deployed on temporary combat assignments. Peak numbers of combat F-4s occurred in 1972, when 353 were based in Thailand. A total of 445 Air Force Phantom fighter-bombers were lost, 370 in combat and 193 of those over North Vietnam (33 to MiGs, 30 to SAMs, and 307 to AAA).

The RF-4C was operated by four squadrons, and of the 83 losses, 72 were in combat including 38 over North Vietnam (seven to SAMs and 65 to AAA). By war's end the U.S. Air Force had lost a total of 528 F-4 and RF-4C Phantoms. When combined with US Naval/Marine losses of 233 Phantoms; 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War.

On 28 August 1972, Capt Steve Ritchie became the first USAF ace of the war. On 9 September 1972, WSO Capt Charles B. DeBellevue became the highest-scoring American ace of the war with six victories.

And WSO Capt Jeffrey Feinstein became the last USAF ace of the war on 13 October 1972. Upon return to the United States, DeBellevue and Feinstein were given vision waivers, assigned to pilot training and requalified as USAF pilots in the F-4. According to the USAF, its F-4s scored 107½ MiG kills in Southeast Asia (50 by Sparrow, 31 by Sidewinder, five by Falcon, 15.5 by gun, and six by other means).

On 31 January 1972, the 170th Tactical Fighter Squadron/183d Tactical Fighter Group of the Illinois Air National Guard became the first Air National Guard unit to transition to Phantoms. The Phantom's ANG service lasted until 31 March 1990, when it was replaced by the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

On 15 August 1990, 24 F-4G Wild Weasel Vs and six RF-4Cs were mobilized to the Middle East for Operation Desert Storm. The reason for this was that the F-4G was the only aircraft in the USAF inventory equipped for the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) role since the EF-111 Raven lacked the offensive capability of the AGM-88 HARM missile, while the RF-4C was the only aircraft equipped with the ultra-long-range KS-127 LOROP (long-range oblique photography) camera. In spite of flying almost daily missions, only one RF-4C was lost in a fatal accident before the start of hostilities. One F-4G was lost when enemy fire damaged the fuel tanks and the aircraft ran out of fuel near a friendly airbase. The last USAF Phantoms, F-4G Wild Weasel Vs from 561st Fighter Squadron, were retired on 26 March 1996. The last operational flight of the F-4G Wild Weasel was from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, in April 1996. The last operational USAF/ANG F-4 to land was flown by Maj Mike Webb and Maj Gary Leeder, Idaho ANG. Like the Navy, the Air Force continues to operate QF-4 target drones, serving with the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron, it being expected that the F-4 will remain in the target role with the 82d ATRS until 2013/14.

Non-U.S. air forces

The Phantom served with the air forces of many countries, including Australia, Egypt, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, Spain, South Korea and Turkey.

Australia

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) leased 24 USAF F-4Es from 1970 to 1973 while waiting for their order for the General Dynamics F-111C to be delivered. They were so well-liked that the RAAF considered adopting the F-4E instead. They were operated from RAAF Amberley by No.1 Squadron and No.6 Squadron.

Egypt

In 1979, the Egyptian Air Force purchased 35 former USAF F-4Es along with a number of Sparrow, Sidewinder, and Maverick missiles from the US for $594 million as part of the "Peace Pharaoh" program. An additional seven surplus USAF aircraft were purchased in 1988. Three attrition replacements had been received by the end of the 1990s.

Germany

The German Luftwaffe initially ordered the reconnaissance RF-4E in 1969, receiving a total of 88 aircraft which were delivered from January 1971. In 1982, the initially unarmed RF-4Es were given a secondary ground attack capability, and were retired in 1994.

In 1973, under the "Peace Rhine" program the Luftwaffe purchased the lightened and simplified F-4F which was upgraded in the mid-1980s. Twenty-four German-owned F-4Fs were operated by the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing of the USAF at Holloman AFB to train Luftwaffe crews until 2002. In 1975, Germany also received 10 F-4Es for training in the U.S. In the late 1990s, these were withdrawn from service, being replaced by F-4Fs. Germany also initiated the "ICE" (Improved Combat Efficiency) program in 1983. The 110 ICE-upgraded F-4Fs entered service in 1992, and are expected to remain in service until 2012.

Greece

In 1971 the Hellenic Air Force ordered brand new F-4E Phantoms, with deliveries starting in 1974. Later (early 1990s) the Hellenic AF acquired surplus RF-4Es and F-4Es from the Luftwaffe and U.S. ANG.
Following the success of the German ICE program, on 11 August 1997, DASA of Germany received a contract to upgrade 39 aircraft to the very similar "Peace Icarus 2000" standard. As of May 2008 the Hellenic AF operates 35 upgraded F-4E-PI2000 (338 and 339 Squadrons) and 22 RF-4E aircraft (348 Squadron).

Iran

In the 1960s and 1970s, then U.S.-friendly Iran purchased 225 F-4D, F-4E and RF-4E Phantoms. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Phantoms saw action in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and are kept operational by overhaul and servicing from Iran’s aerospace industry.

Israel

The Israeli Air Force has been the largest foreign user of the Phantom, flying both newly built and ex-USAF aircraft, as well as several one-off special reconnaissance variants. The first F-4Es, nicknamed "Kurnass" (Heavy hammer), and RF-4Es, nicknamed "Orev" (Raven), were delivered in 1969 under the "Peace Echo I" program. Additional Phantoms arrived during the 1970s under "Peace Echo II" through "Peace Echo V" and "Nickel Grass" programs. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat during Arab–Israeli conflicts, first seeing action during the War of Attrition. In the 1980s, Israel began the "Kurnass 2000" modernization program which significantly updated avionics. The last Israeli F-4s were retired in 2004.

Japan

From 1968, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force purchased a total of 140 F-4EJ Phantoms without aerial refueling and ground attack capabilities. Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 unarmed reconnaissance RF-4Es were imported. Of these, 96 F-4EJs have since been modified to the F-4EJ Kai ("modified") standard. Fifteen F-4EJs have been converted to reconnaissance aircraft designated RF-4EJ, with similar upgrades as the F-4EJ Kai. As of 2007, Japan has a fleet of 90 F-4s in service and studies are underway to replace them with either the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, or one of several others.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea Air Force purchased its first batch of ex-USAF F-4D Phantoms in 1968 under the "Peace Spectator" program. The ex-USAF F-4Ds continued to be delivered until 1988. The "Peace Pheasant II" program also provided newly-built and ex-USAF F-4Es. Currently F-4Ds are being retired from service by new F-15K Slam Eagles.

Spain

The Spanish Air Force acquired its first batch of ex-USAF F-4C Phantoms in 1971 under the "Peace Alfa" program. Designated C.12, the aircraft were retired in 1989. At the same time, the SAF received a number of ex-USAF RF-4Cs, designated CR.12. In 1995–1996, these aircraft received extensive avionics upgrades. Spain retired its RF-4s in 2002.

Turkey

The Turkish Air Force received 40 F-4Es in 1974, with a further 32 F-4Es and 8 RF-4Es in 1977-78 under the "Peace Diamond III" program, followed by 40 ex-USAF aircraft in "Peace Diamond IV" in 1987, and a further 40 ex-U.S. Air National Guard Aircraft in 1991. A further 32 RF-4Es were transferred to Turkey after being retired by the Luftwaffe between 1992 and 1994. In 1995, IAI of Israel implemented an upgrade similar to Kurnass 2000 on 54 Turkish F-4Es which were dubbed the F-4E 2020 Terminator.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom bought versions based on the USN F-4J for use with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The main differences were the use of the British Rolls-Royce Spey engines and of British-made avionics. The RN and RAF versions were given the designation F-4K and F-4M respectively, and entered service as the Phantom FG.1 (fighter/ground attack) and Phantom FGR.2 (fighter/ground attack/reconnaissance).

After the Falklands War, 15 upgraded ex-USN F-4Js, known as the F-4J(UK) entered RAF service to compensate for one interceptor squadron redeployed to the Falklands.

Around 15 RAF squadrons received various marks of Phantom, many of them based in Germany. The first to be equipped was 6 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in July 1969. One noteworthy deployment was to 43 Squadron where Phantom FG1s remained the squadron equipment for a remarkable twenty years, arriving in September 1969 and departing in July 1989. During this period the squadron was based throughout at Leuchars.

The interceptor Phantoms were replaced by the Panavia Tornado F3 from the late 1980s onwards, and the last British Phantoms were retired in October 1992 when 74 Squadron disbanded.

Civilian use

Sandia National Laboratories used an F-4 mounted on a "rocket sled" in a crash test to see the results of an aircraft hitting a reinforced concrete structure, such as a nuclear power plant.
One aircraft, an F-4D (civilian registration NX749CF), is operated by the Massachusetts-based non-profit organization Collings Foundation as a "living history" exhibit. Funds to maintain and operate the aircraft, which is based in Houston, Texas, are raised through donations/sponsorships from public and commercial parties.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air to air overhead view of three US Air Force F-4s from the 561st Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, NV, in formation over the Mediterranean Sea and Saudi Arabia during the operation.

NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center acquired an F-4A Phantom II on 3 December 1965. It made fifty-five flights in support of short programs, chase on X-15 missions and lifting body flights. The F-4A also supported a biomedical monitoring program involving 1,000 flights by NASA Flight Research Center aerospace research pilots and students of the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School flying high-performance aircraft. The pilots were instrumented to record accurate and reliable data of electrocardiogram, respiration rate and normal acceleration. In 1967, the F-4A supported a brief military-inspired program to determine whether an airplane's sonic boom could be directed and whether it could possibly be used as a weapon of sorts, or at least an annoyance. NASA also flew an F-4C in a spanwise blowing study from 1983 to 1985, after which it was returned to the Air Force.


 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: Two Technicians from the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit check the cockpit systems in a 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing F-4 Phantom II aircraft.

Variants

F-4A, B, J, N and S
Variants for the US Navy and the US Marines. F-4B was upgraded to F-4N, and F-4J was upgraded to F-4S.
F-110 Spectre, F-4C, D and E
Variants for the U.S. Air Force. F-4E introduced an internal M61 Vulcan cannon. F-4D and E were widely exported.
F-4G Wild Weasel V
A dedicated SEAD variant with updated radar and avionics, converted from F-4E. The designation F-4G was applied earlier to an entirely different Navy Phantom.
F-4K and M
Variants for British military re-engined with Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans.
F-4EJ
Simplified F-4E exported to and license-built in Japan.
F-4F
Simplified F-4E exported to Germany.
QF-4E AF Serial No. 74-0626 at McGuire AFB, 12 May 2007 with an A-10 in the background
F-4X
Proposed reconnaissance variant with water injection capable of exceeding Mach 3.
QF-4B, E, G, N and S
Retired aircraft converted into remote-controlled target drones used for weapons and defensive systems research.
RF-4B, C, and E
Tactical reconnaissance variants.

Specifications (F-4E)

Data from The Great Book of Fighters Quest for Performance, and Encyclopedia of USAF Aircraft.

General characteristics

* Crew: 2
* Length: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)
* Wingspan: 38 ft 4.5 in (11.7 m)
* Height: 16 ft 6 in (5.0 m)
* Wing area: 530.0 ft² (49.2 m²)
* Airfoil: NACA 0006.4-64 root, NACA 0003-64 tip
* Empty weight: 30,328 lb (13,757 kg)
* Loaded weight: 41,500 lb (18,825 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 61,795 lb (28,030 kg)
* Powerplant: 2× General Electric J79-GE-17A axial compressor turbojets, 17,845 lbf (79.4 kN) each
* Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0224
* Drag area: 11.87 ft² (1.10 m²)
* Aspect ratio: 2.77
* Fuel capacity: 1,994 US gal (7,549 L) internal, 3,335 US gal (12,627 L) with three external tanks
* Maximum landing weight: 36,831 lb (16,706 kg)

Performance

* Maximum speed: Mach 2.23 (1,472 mph, 2,370 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
* Cruise speed: 506 kn (585 mph, 940 km/h)
* Combat radius: 367 nmi (422 mi, 680 km)
* Ferry range: 1,403 nmi (1,615 mi, 2,600 km) with 3 external fuel tanks
* Service ceiling 60,000 ft (18,300 m)
* Rate of climb: 41,300 ft/min (210 m/s)
* Wing loading: 78 lb/ft² (383 kg/m²)
* lift-to-drag: 8.58
* Takeoff roll: 4,490 ft (1,370 m) at 53,814 lb (24,410 kg)
* Landing roll: 3,680 ft (1,120 m) at 36,831 lb (16,706 kg)
* Thrust/weight: 0.86 at loaded weight, 0.58 at MTOW

Armament

* Up to 18,650 lb (8,480 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including general purpose bombs, cluster bombs, TV- and laser-guided bombs, rocket pods (UK Phantoms 4× Matra rocket pods with 18× SNEB 68 mm rockets each), air-to-ground missiles, anti-runway weapons, anti-ship missiles, targeting pods, reconnaissance pods, and nuclear weapons. Baggage pods may also be carried. External fuel tanks of 370 US gal (1,420 L) capacity for the outer wing hardpoints and either a 600 or 610 US gal (2,310 or 2,345 L) fuel tank for the centerline station can be fitted to extend the range.
* 4x AIM-7 Sparrow in fuselage recesses plus 4x AIM-9 Sidewinders on wing pylons; upgraded Hellenic F-4E and German F-4F ICE carry AIM-120 AMRAAM, Japanese F-4EJ Kai carry AAM-3, Hellenic F-4E will carry IRIS-T in future. Iranian F-4s could potentially carry Russian and Chinese missiles. UK Phantoms Skyflash missiles
* 1x M61 Vulcan 20 mm gatling cannon, 640 rounds
* 4x AIM-9 Sidewinder, Python-3 (F-4 Kurnass 2000), IRIS-T (F-4E Hellenic Air Force)
* 4x AIM-7 Sparrow, AAM-3(F-4EJ Kai)
* 8x AIM-120 AMRAAM for F-4F ICE, Turkish F-4 2020 Terminator, F-4E ICE Hellenic Air Force, F-4 Kurnass 2000
* 8x AGM-65 Maverick
* 4x AGM-62 Walleye
* 4x AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-78 Standard ARM
* 4x GBU-15
* 18x Mk.82, GBU-12
* 5x Mk.84, GBU-10, GBU-14
* 18x CBU-87, CBU-89, CBU-58
* SUU-23/A 23 mm Gunpod
* AGM-142 (Popeye 1) for Turkish Air Force F-4 2020 Terminator

More photos:

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: Two F-4 Phantom II aircraft in flight just after taking off during Exercise Quick Thrust '83-1.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right front view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft, with an AQM-37C air-launched missile target attached to its undercarriage, flying over the Pacific Missile Test Center Range.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4 Phantom II (background) and an F-16 fighter aircraft (foreground), over Tampa Bay.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II side: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from Pacific Missile Test Center.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: A ground-to-air view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft as it makes a low-level pass over several discarded Army trucks that are used for target practice at the North Fort Hood bombing target.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: Two F-4 Phantom II aircraft take off simultaneously during exercise TEAM SPIRIT '82. Members of the 3380th Security Police Squadron (foreground) defend the air field from the aggressor force.


 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of four F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft from the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Air Force Reserve) in flight.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air view of a joint formation of aircraft participating in the multi-national exercise Bright Star '83. The aircraft are, clockwise from the top: Egyptian air force MiG-19 Farmer, U.S. Navy A-6 Intruder, Egyptian air force MiG-17 Fresco, U.S. Navy A-7 Corsair II, Egyptian air force MiG-21 Fishbed, Egyptian air force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Egyptian air force F-4 Phantom II, Egyptian air force Mirage 2000, and a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat in the center.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft releasing a B-83 bomb during the last flight of the B-83 project.

 

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301), foreground, and an F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302), background.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An F-4 Phantom II aircraft is launched from the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). An F/A-18 Hornet aircraft is visible to the right.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An Egyptian F-4 Phantom II aircraft is positioned for in-flight refueling from a KC-10 Extender aircraft during the joint exercise Bright Star '83.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Air Force Reserve) being refueled by a KC-10 Extender aircraft (right).

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of three F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 301st Tactical Fighter Wing (AFRES) in echelon formation. The lead aircraft is banking to the left.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: Aerial side view of an F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft armed with an AGM-88A high-speed anti-radiation missile (HARM).

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of two F-4 Phantom II aircraft in flight behind a Norwegian F-5 Tiger II aircraft during Reforger (Cornet Rawhide).

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air left side view of an F-4 Phantom II, foreground, and a Norwegian F-5 Tiger II aircraft in flight during Reforger (Cornet Rawhide).

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: A left side view of a KC-10 Extender aircraft refueling an F-4 Phantom II aircraft with three other Phantoms flying above.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: A view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the refueling station of a KC-10 Extender aircraft refueling during a tactical large force employment exercise. The F-4 is from the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea and the KC-10 is from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, California.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: Technical Sergeant David N. Craft, a US Air Force photographer, in the cockpit of an aircraft during the dissimilar aircraft flying Exercise COMMANDO WEST 6. Personnel and aircraft of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron are participating in the exercise with members of the Royal Thai Air Force. A 3rd TFS F-4 Phantom II aircraft is visible through the canopy.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of a 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing F-4 Phantom II aircraft during Exercise COPE THUNDER '84.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: A composite photo showing an F-4S Phantom II aircraft and plane captain silhouetted against the setting sun aboard the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV-41) combined with a view of the full moon.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: F-4 Phantom II aircraft are prepared for takeoff during a tactical large force employment exercise. They are assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: A view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the refueling station of a KC-10 Extender aircraft during a tactical large force employment exercise. The F-4 is from the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea, and the KC-10 is from the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, California.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of a Korean Air Force F-5 Tiger II aircraft and F-4 Phantom II aircraft in formation with a US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-4 Phantom II aircraft, and F-15 Eagle aircraft during the joint US/South Korean exercise TEAM SPIRIT '84.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of a Korean Air Force F-5 Tiger II aircraft and F-4 Phantom II aircraft in formation with a US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-4 Phanton II aircraft, and F-15 Eagle aircraft during the joint US/South Korean Exercise TEAM SPIRIT '84.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air left side view of four F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing. The aircraft are being used during PITCH BLACK 84, a joint US, Australian and New Zealand exercise.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air left side view of five F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing. The aircraft are being used during PITCH BLACK 84, a joint US, Australian and New Zealand exercise.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft as it is positioned under the boom of a KC-10A Extender aircraft for refueling during the joint Australia/New Zealand/US Exercise PITCH BLACK '84.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II side: An air-to-air right side view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from Pacific Missile Test Center.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air view of the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft as it undergoes refueling from a KC-10A Extender aircraft during the joint Australia/New Zealand/US Exercise PITCH BLACK '84. The F-4 is assigned to the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air left side view of four F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing. The top two aircraft are armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The aircraft are being used during PITCH BLACK 84, a joint US, Australian and New Zealand exercise.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air left side view OF AN F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Reserve Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301) ascending while in flight off the coast of Southern California.

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air-to-air right side view of two F-4S Phantom II aircraft. They are assigned to Fighter Squadrons 301 and 302 (VF-301, 302).

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An F-4S Phantom II aircraft, with tail-hook down, prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41).

 
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom-II: An air to air left underside view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Clark Air Base, Philippines, and a Thai air force F-5E Tiger II aircraft in formation during the joint Thai/US Air Force Exercise COMMANDO WEST VIII. Both aircraft are armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.