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McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Photo: USAF · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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McDonnellDouglasF-4PhantomII

Multirole Fighters · United States · 1959
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McDonnellDouglasF-4PhantomII

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Photo: USAF · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Versatility
95
Air-to-Air Capability
90
Air-to-Ground Capability
85
Avionics
80
Range & Payload
92
Speed & Agility
88
Survivability
85
Reliability
90
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin United States
ManufacturerMcDonnell Aircraft Corporation
CategoryMultirole Fighters
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959–1981
Operators12 countries
Quantity5,195
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
89
Multirole Fighters MASS Rating
1/6
Early Cold War
8/88
All-Time
Multirole Fighters · 10 axes scored
Versatility
95
Air-to-Air Capability
90
Air-to-Ground Capability
85
Avionics
80
Range & Payload
92
Speed & Agility
88
Survivability
85
Reliability
90
Technology
85
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the multirole fighters category.
01 / Overview
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Production
1959–1981
Quantity
5,195
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MULTIROLE FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
97
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
89
multirole fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the multirole fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1958
  • Service Entry Year1961
  • Crew2
  • Primary RoleInterceptor, fighter-bomber
  • GenerationThird generation
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant9MOD.9
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric J79-GE-17A
  • Engine ModelGeneral Electric J79
  • Number of Engines2
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)159
  • Thrust-to-Weight0.9
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel2,500 kg
▣Performance9MOD.9
  • Top Speed2,370 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)2.2 Mach
  • Cruise Speed940 km/h
  • Service Ceiling18,288 m
  • Ferry Range2,699 km
  • Combat Radius680 km
  • Rate of Climb209.804 m/s
  • G-Limit7.5
  • Takeoff Run1,200 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length19.2 m
  • Wingspan11.7 m
  • Height5 m
  • Wing Area49.2
  • Empty Weight13,756.781 kg
  • Loaded Weight18,824.4 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight28,030.212 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built5,195
  • Operators30
  • Variants1
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2024
  • Production Start1958
  • Production End1981
  • Operational StatusIn limited service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1959Production started
  3. 1960Entered service
  4. 1981Production ended
67
years in service
22
years in production
5,195
units produced
12
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4 PHANTOM II · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II 1959
// DERIVATIVES
06 / Operators
Operator Inventory11country · 1,762units
1,762active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE10terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Multirole Fighters entry →