Role Interceptor, fighter-bomber
National origin United States
Manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
McDonnell Douglas
First flight 27 May 1958
Introduction 1961
Retired 1996 (U.S. combat use)
2013 (Germany)
2016
(U.S. target drone) 2021 (Japan)
Status In limited service
Primary users United States Air Force (historical)
United States Navy (historical)
United States Marine Corps
Produced 1958–1981
Number built 5,195
Variants McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1/FGR.2
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,[16] 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, as it could be fitted with one- or two-seat noses for different missions, with different nose cones to accommodate radar, photo cameras, four 20 mm (.79 in) 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 a supersonic fighter.
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The Phantom gathered a number of nicknames during its career. Some of these names included "Snoopy", "Rhino", "Double Ugly", "Old Smokey",[65] the "Flying Anvil", "Flying Footlocker", "Flying Brick", "Lead Sled", the "Big Iron Sled", and the "St. Louis Slugger"
The F-4 was used extensively during the Vietnam War. It served as the principal air superiority fighter for the U.S. Air Force,.
The F-4 Phantom II remained in use by the U.S. in the reconnaissance and Wild Weasel (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) roles in the 1991 Gulf War.