Description
The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel 640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with 1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The “E” also equipped more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.
In 1971 the order for 208 F-4Es and 32 RF-4E began arriving for the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF). In 1979 a revolution took place and an embargo was applied and only 177 F-4Es were delivered. The Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) became the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). In October 1975 F-4E 73-1545 MSN 4715 serial 3-822 arrived in Iran assigned to the 32nd TFW. Later with the IRIAF the aircraft became 3-6643 assigned to the 6th TAB / 61st TFS. In 2009 3-6643 received its shark mouth. Around 2008 the RoKAF began to reduce its reliance on the Phantom and replacing them with the new F-35.
Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II
Engines – (2) General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets Thrust – 11,870 lb. st dry, 17,900 lb. st with afterburners
Fuel
Maximum internal fuel - fuselage tanks 1,364 US gallons (up to block 40) and 1,225 US gallons (from block 41 on). Additional - 630 gallons of fuel in internal wing tanks. External fuel load - 600 US gallons center line tank Additional - 370 US gallons tanks under each wing attached to the outer pylon Total fuel load - 3334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3195 US gallons (from block 41 on)
Performance
Maximum speed – 1,430 mph at 36,000 ft (Mach 2.21) 914 mph at sea level (Mach 1.19) Cruising speed – 585 mph Landing speed – 158 mph Initial climb rate – 61,400 fpm Service ceiling – 62,250 ft Combat ceiling – 59,600 ft Combat range - 595 miles Maximum range - 1885 miles with maximum external fuel
Weights
Empty - 29,535 lbs Gross - 40,562 lbs Combat - 38,019 lbs Take off - 61,651 lbs
Dimensions
Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in Wing area - 530 sq ft Length - 63 ft 0 in Height - 16 ft 6 in
Armament
(1) 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola (4) AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots in the fuselage belly. (2) to (4) AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on the inboard pylons. Total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the center line and four under- wing hard-points.
