Subject: New Fighter Series--McDonnell F-4 Phantom (13 of 49)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 25 May 94 16:46:01 GMT

>From [email-masked]

The F-4EJ was a version of the F-4E developed for the Nihon Koku 
Jieitai (Japanese Air Self Defense Force, or JASDF).  Since the 
Japanese armed forces were forbidden by treaty from having even a hint 
of an offensive capability, the F-4EJ was optimized for the air 
defense role, the AN/AJB-7 bombing system being omitted.  There was no 
provision for the carrying or delivery of air-to-ground weapons.  

Like the USAF F-4E, the F-4EJ was fitted with the Westinghouse 
AN/APQ-120 radar fire control system, the 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 640 
rounds, plus AIM-7 and AIM-9 air-to-air missile capability.  It 
differed in having many Japanese-built electronic systems being 
fitted, including the Japanese-built J/APR-2 tail-warning radar, plus 
a Japanese-designed datalink system that interfaced with the Japanese 
BADGE (Base Air Defense Ground Environment) system.  Externally, the 
F-4EJ differed from the USAF F-4 in having non-slatted wings and 
stabilators.  

The F-4EJ was ordered on November 1, 1968.  Two F-4EJs (JASDF serials 
17-8301 and 17-8302) were built by McDonnell in St Louis and tested 
beginning on January 14, 1971.  The next eleven (JASDF serials 
27-8303/8307, 37-8307/8310, and 47-8311/8313) were built by McDonnell 
in kit form and were assembled in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy 
Industries, Ltd.  The first Japanese-assembled aircraft (27-8303) flew 
on May 12, 1972.  Subsequently, Mitsubishi built 127 F-4EJs under 
license, the last example being delivered on May 20, 1981.  This was 
the last Phantom built.  

As built, the Mitsubishi-built Phantoms were not fitted with inflight 
refuelling receptacles because of the treaty restrictions that forbade 
Japan to acquire offensive weapons.  However, the hardware needed for 
such a capability was delivered and stored.  Eventually, the 
restrictions were relaxed and the standard F-4E boom receptacle was 
retrofitted to most F-4EJs.  I don't think that the JASDF has any 
midair refuelling aircraft, but the refuelling capabilities of the 
F-4EJ were used during training exercises with USAF KC-135s.  

Fourteen unarmed reconnaissance versions of the F-4EJ were built by 
McDonnell and delivered to the JASDF between November 1974 and June 
1975.  They were designated RF-4EJ.  They were virtually identical to 
the USAF RF-4C, with the only differences being the deletion of 
certain equipment such as the radar homing and warning suite.  

The F-4EJ first entered service with the JASDF in August of 1972.  In 
the JASDF, six interceptor squadrons (hikotai) have operated the 
F-4EJ.  These were the 301st, 302nd, 303rd, 304th, 305th, and 306th.  
The RF-4EJ was operated by the 501st Hikotai.  

Throughout the 1980s, the force of 140 F-4EJs gradually dwindled by 
attrition and reached 125 in 1992.  Conversions to the F-15J began in 
the late 1980s.  Since 1984, a major SLEP (Service Life Extension 
Program) was undertaken in which most JASDF F-4EJs were upgraded to 
F-4EJ Kai standards.  Currently, the F-4EJ Kai serves with three 
hikotai, and should remain serving until well after the year 2000.  
This version will be described later.  

The JASDF serials of the F/RF-4EJs were as follows.  In the Japanese 
system of serial numbers, the first digit is the final digit of the 
year of delivery, the second digit identifies the aircraft type (7 for 
the Phantom).  

McDonnell F-4EJ-45-MC Phantom 		17-8301/8302 
McDonnell F-4EJ-45-MC Phantom 		27-8303/8306 (last two assembled by 
							Mitsubishi) 
McDonnell F-4EJ-45-MC Phantom 		37-8307/8310 
McDonnell F-4EJ-47-MC Phantom 		37-8311/8313 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			37-8314/8323 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			47-8324/8352 (8324 to 8331 later 
						renumbered with prefix 37
McDonnell RF-4EJ-56-MC Phantom 		47-6901/6905 
McDonnell RF-4EJ-57-MC Phantom 		57-6906/6914 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			57-8353/8376 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			67-8377/8391 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			77-8392/8403 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			87-8404/8415 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			97-8416/8427 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			07-8428/8436 
Mitsubishi F-4EJ 			17-8437/8440 

References:

  McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume II, Rene J.
  Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1990.

  McDonnell F-4 Phantom: Spirit in the Skies.  Airtime Publishing, 1992.

  The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

  United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
  Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

Joe Baugher		AT&T Bell Laboratories   	
263 Shuman Boulevard 		Naperville, Illinois 60566-7050