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Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Manufacturer: McDonnell Aircraft
Category: Fighter Jets
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Discontinued

Generation 3rd Generation
Maximum Speed Speed: Mach 2.23
No. of Engines 2
Radar Range ~90–100 km (AN/APQ-120, variant dependent)

Full Specifications

General Information

Name	Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Manufacturer	McDonnell Aircraft / McDonnell Douglas
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Multirole fighter / interceptor / strike aircraft
Generation	3rd Generation
Status	Retired in U.S.; active in select foreign air forces
First Flight	1958
Introduction / In Service Since	1960
Number Built	5,195
Operators	U.S., Israel, Germany (ret.), Japan, Iran, South Korea, Turkey, Greece (ret.)

Dimensions & Structure

Length	63 ft (19.2 m)
Wingspan	38 ft 5 in (11.7 m)
Height	16 ft 6 in (5 m)
Wing Area	530 sq ft
Empty Weight	30,328 lb
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	61,795 lb
Internal Weapons Bay	None
External Hardpoints	9

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 2.23
Range	1,750 miles
Combat Radius	~420 miles
Service Ceiling	60,000 ft
Rate of Climb	41,300 ft/min
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	~0.86
G Limits	+7.33

Powerplant

Engine Type	GE J79-GE-17 turbojets
No. of Engines	2
Thrust (each)	17,900 lbf with afterburner
Thrust Vectoring	No
Fuel Capacity	~1,994 gallons internal

Armament

Gun	20mm M61 Vulcan (later variants)
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	AGM-65, AGM-45, AGM-78
Bombs	Laser-guided, unguided, cluster munitions
Hardpoints	9
Payload Capacity	Up to 18,000 lb

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APQ-50/72/120 variants
Radar Range	90–100 km
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	RWR, ECM pods
Targeting System	External pods (later upgrades)
Helmet Display	No
Navigation	INS, TACAN
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Basic autopilot
Communication	UHF/VH

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	High
Stealth Features	None
Infrared Signature Reduction	Minimal
Sensor Fusion	No
Networking Capabilities	Limited (upgraded variants only)

Variants

Special Export Versions

F-4EJ (Japan), Kurnass 2000 (Israel)

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Vietnam War, Arab-Israeli wars, Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War
Notable Operators	U.S., Israel, Japan, Turkey
Combat Proven?	Yes
Mission Types	Air superiority, strike, SEAD, recon

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	~$2.4–$3.5 million (1960s)
Development Cost	Classified (Cold War era)
Program Name	F-4 Phantom Program
Funding Countries	United States

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Avionics and radar upgrades in foreign fleets
Future Replacement	Replaced by F-15, F-16, F/A-18
Export Restrictions	Cold War era rules applied
Notable Achievements	Over 5,000 built; 2-seat, Mach 2+ milestone
Competitors	MiG-21, Mirage III

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

Technology 8 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Firepower 8 / 10
Range & Endurance 8 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

Exceptional speed for its era (Mach 2+).
Heavy payload capacity for multirole missions.
Proven combat performance across decades.
Strong export record and global support base.
Twin-engine reliability and rugged airframe.

CONS

High radar signature; no stealth features.
Early variants lacked an internal cannon.
High fuel consumption due to turbojet engines.
Maintenance-intensive compared to modern fighters.
Aging airframes limit remaining service life.

The Douglas F-4 Phantom II stands as one of the most iconic and battle-proven American fighter jets of the Cold War era. Introduced in the early 1960s, the F-4 transformed U.S. air power with its unmatched combination of speed, payload, and multirole capability. Initially developed by McDonnell Aircraft (later McDonnell Douglas), the Phantom II served extensively with the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, becoming a global export success and a dominant force in air combat for over three decades.

Powered by two powerful J79 turbojet engines, the F-4 was capable of reaching Mach 2.23, while carrying an impressive variety of air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground weapons, and reconnaissance systems. Its large radar, two-seat configuration, and high-performance avionics made it a formidable interceptor and strike aircraft well before the digital era.

Design & Capabilities

The Phantom’s hallmark was versatility—able to perform air superiority, close air support, reconnaissance, and suppression-of-enemy-air-defenses (SEAD) missions. During the Vietnam War, it became the backbone of U.S. air operations and later continued serving in the Gulf War with upgraded variants.

Though not a stealth platform, its raw speed, long range, and heavy payload set new standards for fighter design. Modernized F-4 variants remain operational today in several countries, validating its enduring engineering.

Douglas F-4 Phantom II Price

The Douglas F-4 Phantom II is no longer in production, but historical U.S. procurement prices ranged from $2.4 million to $3.5 million (1960s dollars) depending on variant—equivalent to tens of millions today when adjusted for inflation. Restored civilian or museum-grade airframes vary widely based on condition and airworthiness.

FAQs

Are there any F-4 Phantoms still flying in the US?

No. The United States officially retired its F-4 Phantom II fleet in 2016, with the remaining aircraft converted into QF-4 full-scale aerial targets before final retirement. Today, F-4s in the U.S. only appear in museums, private collections, or heritage flights, but none remain in operational military service.

What is America’s most feared jet?

The F-22 Raptor is widely regarded as America’s most feared jet due to its combination of stealth, supercruise, extreme agility, advanced AESA radar, and unmatched air-to-air dominance. Its ability to detect and destroy enemy aircraft long before being detected makes it the world’s premier air-superiority fighter. The F-35 is also considered highly feared for its global networked capabilities and strike versatility.

How many F-4s were lost in Vietnam?

During the Vietnam War, the United States lost approximately 445 F-4 Phantom II aircraft across Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps operations. Losses included combat shootdowns, operational accidents, and attrition, reflecting the intensity of air combat and the Phantom’s heavy involvement in the conflict.

Did the F-4 Phantom ever get a gun?

Yes. Early F-4 variants lacked an internal cannon, relying entirely on missiles, which proved limiting in close-range dogfights. The issue was corrected with the F-4E, which introduced an internal 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon in the nose. Later variants and upgrades and many export versions also carried gun pods or internal cannons.

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