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.

On December 21, 2016 the USAF officially ended the use of the McDonnell
Douglas QF-4E Phantom II when it was used to make a final fly-pass at
Holloman AFB. The QF-4E had replaced the QF-106 that had previously been
used by the 53rd WEG (Weapons Evaluation Group) / 82nd ATRS (Aerial
Targets Squadron). The F-4 has been in service with the U.S. military since
1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft through the 190s and 70s. The
QF-4 provides a realistic full-scale target for air-to-air weapons system
evaluation, development and testing.

Specifications for the F-4E Phantom II / F-4EJ

They are virtually identical except for the restricted equipment:
This included removal of the in-flight refueling receptacle that was later
retrofitted, no leading edge slats, ground attack control equipment such as
weapons and bomb delivery systems and the addition of modern electronic
equipment including a data link system and radar warning receiver. Most or
all this equipment was eventually reinstalled.

Number Built: F-4E - 5,195 / F-4EJ - 154 with 138 built in Japan under license.

Interesting trivia:
Each aircraft has 54,197 feet of wiring and 643,000 fasteners holding it
together.

Engines:
2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb.s.t. with
afterburner.

Performance:
Maximum speed - 1430 mph at 36,000 feet (Mach 2.21), 914 mph at sea
level (Mach 1.19).
Cruising speed - 585 mph.
Landing speed - 158 mph.
Initial climb rate - 61,400 feet per minute.
Service ceiling - 62,250 feet.
Combat ceiling - 59,600 feet.
Combat range - 595 miles.
Normal range - 1,100 miles.
Maximum range – 1,885 miles with maximum external fuel.

Weights:
Empty - 29,535 pounds.
Gross - 40,562 pounds.
Combat weight - 38,019 pounds.
Maximum takeoff weight - 61,651 pounds.

Dimensions:
Wingspan - 38 feet 5 inches.
Wing area - 530 square feet.
Length - 63 feet 0 inches.
Height - 16 feet 6 inches.

Fuel:
Maximum internal fuel in the fuselage tanks - 1364 US gallons (up to block
40) or 1225 US gallons (block 41 and beyond). An additional 630 gallons of
fuel could be carried in internal tanks inside the wings.
Maximum external fuel - 600 US gallons in a centerline tank carried
underneath the fuselage.
Plus 370 US gallons in each of two tanks carried underneath the outer wing
pylons.
Total fuel load – 3,334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3,195 US gallons (block
41 and beyond).

Armament:
1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds.
4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-
recessed slots in the fuselage belly.
2 to 4 X AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under
the wings on the inboard pylons.
A total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the
centerline and four under-wing hard-points.

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