| F-4J Phantom II | F-4S Phantom II | F-4G Wild Weasel V |
The F-4J Phantom II is one of the many multirole combat available to the United States, and was introduced in Wargame: AirLand Battle.
History[]
The F-4J Phantom II is the US Navy and USMC's second-generation Phantom following the F-4B (the C, D, and E were used by the USAF). It features newer engines (J79-GE-10) and AN/APG-59 pulse doppler radar coupled with the AN/AWG-10 Fire Control System. The J variant was introduced in mid-1966 and saw extensive use by the USN and USMC during the Vietnam War. The F-4J, like all Phantom models until the "E", flew without an internal cannon. This was a disadvantage in dogfights against aircraft like the MiG-17 and MiG-21, since the Phantom aircrew had to keep their adversary outside of the minimum range of their AIM-9 Sidewinder to shoot him down or use gunpods. Nevertheless, the first Phantom aces of the Vietnam War flew the F-4J, and the gun-less F-4B, J, and N achieved a claimed 40 aerial victories for only 7 Phantoms lost to enemy aircraft.
F-4J were used in VF Squadrons in the US Navy while the USMC used their F-4J in VMFA squadrons. These were replaced by F-4S.
Overview[]
AirLand Battle[]
The F-4J is a relatively inexpensive multi-role platform, and represents the baseline variant of the F-4 Phantom II available in-game. Carrying 4 napalm bombs and two AIM-9J Sidewinder missiles, the F-4J is useful especially to attack infantry in cover (such as a city or forest), to perform area denial, and to force vehicles out of cover. Its AIM-9 compliment also allows the F-4J to attack enemy helicopters.
The F-4J is not without its drawbacks. Its lack of a cannon leaves the F-4J highly vulnerable to enemy fighters, especially if it has fired its AIM-9 compliment. It does not have on-board ECM, nor a medium-range missile option, making it a prime target for enemy fighters and SAM sites. Its survivability comes largely from its speed; at 900km/h, the F-4J can get to its drop point and out quickly, without spending excessive time in the coverage of enemy Integrated Air Defense zones.
Red Dragon[]
The F-4J Phantom II in Wargame: Red Dragon is a relatively inexpensive (75 point) Air Superiority fighter for NATO decks. It carries four AIM-9F Sidewinder missiles, and four AIM-7E Sparrow missiles, allowing the type to engage enemy fighters and strike aircraft at medium and close range. The AIM-9F compliment also allows the F-4J to attack helicopters. Unlike its configuration in AirLand Battle, the F-4J has received ECM for Red Dragon, though it is not particularly powerful (20%).
While the type is a a good low-cost option especially for interception of enemy strike aircraft, the F-4J has several drawbacks. The aircraft's lack of a gun leads to tactical inflexibility, and while it carries four of each missile type, the AIM-9F and AIM-7E have poor accuracy and maneuverability, making them less than ideal for countering enemy fighters.
Weapons[]
AirLand Battle[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Napalm bomb | AAM | No Weapon |
| Name | Mk.77 | AIM-9J | |
| Caliber | 340kg [NPLM] | Infrared [AoE][F&F] | |
| Ammo | x 4 | x 2 | |
| Range | Ground = 3500 m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = 1750 m Airplanes = 2800 m
|
|
| Accuracy | 2 | 8 | |
| AP Power | N/A | N/A | |
| HE Power | N/A | 4 | |
| Suppression | 600 | 160 | |
| Rate of fire | 42 r/min | 30 r/min |
Red Dragon[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | AAM | AAM | No Weapon |
| Name | AIM-9F Sidewinder | AIM-7E Sparrow | |
| Caliber | Infrared [AoE] [F&F] | SemAct Radar [AoE] [SA] | |
| Ammo | x 4 | x 4 | |
| Range | Ground = N/A m Helicopters = 2100 m Airplanes = 3500 m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = 7000 m
|
|
| Accuracy | 35% | 35% | |
| Stabilizer | 35% | 35% | |
| AP Power | N/A | N/A | |
| HE Power | 4 | 5 | |
| Suppression | 160 | 200 | |
| Rate of fire | 2 s r/min | 0 s r/min |
Gallery[]
