Summary and Key Points: The F-4 Phantom, a pivotal aircraft in the Vietnam War, remains in service with several air forces globally due to continuous upgrades.

Known for its robust J79 twin engines and high-speed capabilities, it set numerous records, including flying at MACH 2.2 and reaching 98,556 feet.

With nine hardpoints for weapons, it carried a significant arsenal, including the M61 Vulcan rotary cannon.

The F-4 evolved with enhancements in radar, landing gear, and airframe, contributing to its longevity. Although retired by the U.S. Air Force in 2004, its impact on aerial warfare endures.

Why the F-4 Phantom Remains a Global Fighter Legend

Talk to pilots who flew during the Vietnam War, and they will tell you that the war effort would have been an even tougher slog without the F-4 Phantom.

The workhorse fighter is still in service today in several air forces around the world. The airplane won’t win any beauty contests, but it has been in service for 60 years thanks to a slew of different upgrades.

It was a record-setting fighter, even though it was manually controlled without the automation that 4^th and 5^th generation warplanes have.

F-4 Phantom: It Seemed Like Everyone Wanted to Fly It

The F-4 Phantom started out as a naval interceptor, but early performance convinced the Department of Defense to slide it over to the Air Force and Marine Corps too. Air forces in Iran, Greece, South Korea, and Turkey still fly it. Over 5,000 were built.

The Engines Are Robust

The propulsion on the F-4 was top-notch, even from the beginning of its lifespan in 1961. High-thrusting J79 twin engines power the fighter. Nicknamed the “Flying Brick” for its less than endearing appearance, the F-4 has almost 18,000 pounds of thrust, which enabled some units to fly at MACH 2.2, a record at the time that stayed in effect until the advent of the F-15.

The speed record was just one of many that were set. It also holds the mark for flying at 98,556 feet.

Need Weapons? No Problem

With nine external hardpoints, the F-4 can carry up to 19,000 pounds of weapons including air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles, and bombs. An M61 Vulcan rotary cannon was added later.

The Vulcan cannon was introduced during the Vietnam War for better protection because the fighters were being intercepted by enemy warplanes after the Phantoms ran out of missiles.

The Basic Platform Was Easily Made Better  

The F-4 evolved over the years with several variants that improved the airplane. New radar, better landing gear, and a stronger airframe for advanced maneuverability were all upgrades.

The last Phantom was retired by the Air Force in 2004. We will probably never have such a long-serving fighter plane again. Today’s technology keeps evolving so quickly that the various air forces are constantly working on next-generation airplanes with better stealth materials.

The F-4 should be saluted and prized for its longevity and versatility in all aspects of warfare – from dogfighting to bombing – it just won’t go away.

 Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer.

All images are Creative Commons.