McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

The supersonic fighter built for air superiority and strike missions worldwide.

Japan Air Self Defense Force – McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Phantom II. 1 © Axel J.

Overview

McDonnell Douglas United States ICAO: F4 1958–1981 $16.4 million

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a twin-engine supersonic fighter developed in the late 1950s. Designed initially for the U.S. Navy, it evolved into a multirole aircraft serving numerous air forces. The Phantom became one of the most widely produced Western jet fighters.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × General Electric J79-GE-17A Turbojets
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 17,900 lbf · 80 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
63 ft 0 in  ·  19.20 m
Tail height
16 ft 5 in  ·  5.00 m
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
38 ft 5 in  ·  11.70 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
62,000 lb  ·  28,000 kg
Max landing weight
36,800 lb  ·  16,700 kg
Max payload
18,700 lb  ·  8,500 kg
Fuel capacity
3,350 gal · 12,600 L · 10,100 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
1,280 kt  ·  1,473 mph  ·  2,371 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,520 nm  ·  1,750 mi  ·  2,820 km
Fuel burn
0.42 nm/gal  ·  0.21 km/L
Ceiling
62,000 ft  ·  18,900 m
Rate of climb
41,300 ft/min  ·  210 m/s
Takeoff distance
4,500 ft  ·  1,370 m
Landing distance
3,650 ft  ·  1,120 m
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Holloman AFB F-4 Phantom II

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Operational Context

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II — supersonic multirole fighter

The F-4 first flew in 1958 and entered service in 1961. It features a twin-engine configuration with swept wings and a two-seat cockpit. The aircraft was designed for both air-to-air combat and ground-attack missions, reflecting changing military doctrine of the Cold War era.

Powered by two General Electric J79 turbojet engines producing approximately 17,900 pounds of thrust (80 kN) each with afterburner, the F-4 can exceed Mach 2.2. Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 60,000 pounds (27,200 kg). The aircraft carried a wide range of missiles and conventional munitions.

The Phantom served extensively in Vietnam and numerous other conflicts. It was exported widely and remained in service with some operators for decades. The F-4 Phantom II remains one of the defining fighter aircraft of the Cold War period.