Aircraft & UAVs

F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 Phantom II is an American twin-engine, two-seat supersonic fighter-bomber developed by McDonnell for U.S. Navy fleet defense and later adopted widely by U.S. and allied air arms. The type first flew in 1958, exceeded 5,000 built, and saw Israeli combat use in the War of Attrition as well as later conflicts and ongoing service.

Specifications

Crew
2
Top speed
1,400 mph (F-4C fact sheet)
Range
1,750 miles (F-4C fact sheet)
Ceiling
59,600 ft (F-4C fact sheet)
Powerplant
2 × General Electric J79-GE-15 afterburning turbojets
Armament
Up to 16,000 lb of externally carried ordnance

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Entered U.S. Navy service in 1961; USAF F-4C deliveries began in 1963.
Used by
Israeli Air Force, United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps
Wars
War of Attrition

Conflict Usage

Role
Multirole fighter-bomber

The Israeli Air Force says the Phantom arrived during the War of Attrition and was used in Operation Priha strike activity against Egyptian targets, but this catalog does not publish pre-2015-only conflicts, so the entry remains grouped under Various Conflicts.

Timeline

F-4 Phantom II Key Events

  1. First flight

    The Phantom II first flew in May 1958 after being developed for U.S. Navy fleet defense.

    Sources: McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II | National Museum of the United States Air Force

  2. USAF deliveries begin

    The USAF's first F-4C version made its first flight in May 1963, and production deliveries began six months later.

    Sources: McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II | National Museum of the United States Air Force

  3. War of Attrition service

    The Israeli Air Force says the Phantom arrived during the War of Attrition and took part in Operation Priha strike activity against Egyptian targets.

    Sources: Operation “Priha” - The Israeli Air Force

F-4 Phantom II Images

Related Weapon Systems

SEPECAT Jaguar, Supersonic jet attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsSEPECAT JaguarSupersonic jet attack aircraftThe SEPECAT Jaguar is a Franco-British supersonic jet attack aircraft built for low-level strike, close air support, reconnaissance, and tactical nuclear delivery. Jointly developed by SEPECAT and later license-produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for India, it first flew in 1968 and went on to see documented combat use in the Western Sahara War, the Chadian-Libyan conflict, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, the Kargil War, and the Cenepa War.

Sources