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 the 1970s South Korea felt a possible security risk from North Korea so they decided to
acquire Northrop F-5Es and McDonnell Douglas F-4Es to bolster their defense capabilities as a
deterrent to aggression. Ex-USAF F-Ds were procured in the late 1960s and in 1978 the first of
the new built F-4Es began to arrive. F-4E 60-499 c/n 4972 was originally assigned to the 152nd
/ 17th FW at Cheongju. In 2019 this aircraft was assigned to the 153 Fighter Squadron at Suwon
Air Base.

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 centerline 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 centerline and four under-
wing hard-points.

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