Subject: New Fighter Series--McDonnell F-4 Phantom (19 of 50)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 7 Jun 94 16:28:21 GMT

>From [email-masked]

The F-4G was the designation applied to 116 USAF F-4Es which were 
converted to the *Wild Weasel* anti-SAM configuration.  These aircraft 
should not be confused with the Navy F-4G which was the designation 
applied to twelve F-4Bs that were fitted with automatic carrier 
landing systems.  

Throughout the late 1960s, the Wild Weasel III adaptation of the 
F-105F two-seat Thunderchief had been the primary anti-SAM attack 
aircraft in Vietnam.  However, by 1970 the F-105 airframe was no 
longer in production, and attrition in Vietnam had made it a scarce 
resource.  The need for a replacement for the F-105F Wild Weasel had 
become apparent.  36 F-4C airframes had been converted to the EF-4C 
Wild Weasel IV configuration, but they suffered from certain 
deficiencies which limited their combat effectiveness.  For example, 
they were unable to carry the Standard ARM.  Consequently, the EF-4C 
was seen only as an interim Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the 
introduction of a more suitable type.  

McDonnell and the USAF both agreed that the more capacious airframe
of the F-4E would be able to carry the electronics for the more
capable AGM-78 Standard antiradiation missile.  A YF-4E (65-0713)
was fitted with a mockup installation of the AN/APR-38 radar
warning and attack system, and the results were sufficiently
satisfactory that the decision was made to convert 116 low-time
F-4E airfames for the anti-SAM role.  The code name *Wild Weasel V*
was assigned to the project.

Several EF-4Ds and F-4Es were used in support of the program.  F-4E 
69-7254 served as the YF-4G prototype, although it was originally 
known as the F-4E Advanced Wild Weasel.  This F-4G was fitted with 
leading-edge maneuvering slats.  The M61A1 cannon and ammunition drum 
were removed and replaced by an under-nose fairing that housed 
forward- and side-looking radar antenna and line replacement units for 
the AN/APR-38 radar warning and attack system.  This system can be 
reprogrammed at squadron level, and can identify known enemy 
air-defense radar systems and display their locations in a 
predetermined order of priority.  The under-nose fairing has a ram
inlet that admits cooling air to the interior, which helps to cool
the avionics systems inside the nose.

There are a total of 52 receiving and emitting antenna found all over 
the aircraft.  The main receivers are housed in front of the chin 
gondola that replaced the gun, with others being housed in a pod 
mounted on top of the fin.  Eight of the blade antennas that protrude 
from the fuselage provide low-band omnidirectional signal reception, 
with five others being directional and capable of giving the threat 
bearing on the display in the rear cockpit.  

The main radar of the F-4G was the same Westinghouse AN/APQ-120 that 
was fitted to the F-4E.  A new digital processor was added.

Boses for dispensing chaff or flare carteges can be attached to the
sides of the underwing pylons.  The usual pattern is the Tracor  
ALE-40, with 30 tubes firing aft.

The backseat crew member has three main displays: a plan-position 
indicator, a panoramic analysis display, and a homing indicator.  The 
plan-position indicator is duplicated on the pilot's control panel.  
The plan-position indicator gives the range and bearing of each threat 
that is identified by the system.  The type of each threat is then 
designated on the display, and the threat deemed by the system to be 
the most dangerous is identified by having a bright triangle 
superimposed over it.  

In support of its mission, the F-4G could carry the AGM-45 Shrike and 
the AGM-78 Standard antiradiation missiles.  

The Texas Instruments AGM-45 Shrike was the first missile specifically 
designed for the anti-radiation role.  It was based in part on the 
Sparrow air-to-air missile and had more or less the same 
configuration.  It has a launch weight of about 390 pounds and carries 
a 145 pound explosive warhead.  The range is of the order of 18 to 25 
miles.  The guidance of the Shrike is provided by a monopulse crystal 
video receiver.  When the receiver in the missile's nose locks onto a 
target, the crew fires the missile.  After launch, the Shrike flies a 
ballistic path until the control system is activated.  At that time, 
the receiver onboard the Shrike begins updating the guidance by 
determining the direction of arrival of the hostile radiation, and the 
missile then homes onto the enemy radar signal with its cruciform 
center-body wings.  The Shrike first became operational in 1965.  In 
Vietnam, the initial experience with the Shrike was rather 
disappointing.  After some trial and error, the enemy found that he 
could "spoof" the Shrike by simply turning off his radar set, which 
would cause the Shrike to lose its lock on the target and run out of 
control.  In addition, the receiver of the Shrike was not able to deal 
with enemy radars that were frequency-agile; all that the enemy had to 
do to defeat a Shrike attack was to switch his radar to a different 
frequency.  Many versions of the Shrike were produced in an attempt to 
correct its deficiencies, but none were very successful.  

The General Dynamics AGM-78 Standard anti-radiation missile was an 
attempt to correct some of the deficiencies of the Shrike.  It had a 
longer range and a larger warhead than the Shrike.  The AGM-78 was 
based on the Standard RIM-66A ship-to-air missile.  It has a launch 
weight of about 1400 pounds and carries a 215-pound warhead.  Maximum 
range was about 35 miles.  The missile flies on a dual-thrust rocket 
motor and steers with tail controls and very low-aspect ratio fixed 
wings.  The Standard ARM first appeared in service in 1968.  The first 
version of the Standard had the simple Shrike seeker, but later 
versions had the Maxson broadband radiation seeker and had memory 
circuits to deal with radar shutdown tactics.  

In addition, the F-4G could carry the AGM-75 Maverick air-to-ground 
missile which existed in both TV-guided and imaging infrared versions.  
It could also carry the Mk 84 electro-optical glide bomb, the homing 
bomb system, and cluster weapons such as the Rockeye, CBU-52, and 
CBU-58.  

In later years, the Texas Instruments AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation 
Missile (HARM) superseded most of the former weapons, offering a 
greatly enhanced kill capability and greater launch versatility.  It 
was designed to provide much higher speeds and much quicker target 
acquisition times so that radars could be destroyed before they had a 
chance to be switched off or take other sorts of evasive actions.  The 
HARM has a launch weight af about 800 pounds and has an effective 
range of about 17 miles.  The warhead of the HARM is of a 
fragmentation variety, which destroys the target by producing a deadly 
shower of steel cubes.  I don't know the weight of the 
warhead--presumably this is classified information.  There are three 
basic modes of operation for the HARM: Self Protect, Target of 
Opportunity, and Pre-Briefed.  In the Self-Protect mode, the launching 
aircraft's systems detect the threat and assign its priority.  The 
aircraft's on-board computers then sort the data and pass along to the 
HARM's computer a set of digital instructions needed to reach the 
target, and the missile is then launched.  The HARM can continue to 
fly toward the target even if the enemy radar is switched off.  In the 
Target of Opportunity mode, the HARM's sensitive seeker is used to 
help to determine when to launch against a previously unknown threat.  
In the Pre-Briefed mode, the HARM can be programmed on the ground for 
up to three known types of enemy radar emissions.  Once in the air, 
the launching aircraft can fire the HARM blind in the general 
direction of these known enemy radar emitters.  If they are silent, 
the HARM will self-destruct, but if an enemy site begins to radiate, 
the HARM will automatically home in on it.  Test flights of the HARM 
began in 1976, and deployment began in early 1983.  Earlier versions 
of the HARM had to be sent back to a depot in the US for 
reprogramming, but later versions can be reprogrammed on the flight 
line.  

For self-protection, the F-4G could carry up to four AIM-9 Sidewinder 
air-to-air missiles on the sides of the inboard underwing pylons.  In 
addition, four AIM-7 Sparrows could be carried in the underfuselage 
slots.  However, the left front slot was often taken up by the 
installation of a ALQ-119 or ALQ-141 jammer pod.  

All of the F-4Gs were rebuilds of Block 42 to 45 F-4Es.  The first of 
these aircraft (69-7254) was modified by McDonnell and began flight 
trials in December of 1975.  Subsequent F-4G aircraft were modified by 
the Air Force at Hill AFB in Utah.  The last modification was 
completed in 1981.  

The first F-4Gs went in April of 1978 to the 39th TFTS of the 35th 
TFW, based at George AFB in California.  In 1981, the F-4Gs of the
etth TFW were turned over to the 37th TFW, also based at George.  In 
1989, the 37th TFW was transferred to Tonopah, Nevada to take over 
the operation of the F-117, and turned their F-4Gs back over to the
35th TFW. 

In 1979, F-4Gs were issued to the 52nd TFW based at Spangdahlem AFB in 
Germany.  In the same year, F-4Gs were assigned to the 90th TFS of 
the 3rd TFW based at Clark AFB in the Philippines.

A two-part Performance Update Program (PUP) was undertaken in the
mid-1980s.  The first phase was the expansion of the capability
of the on-board computer by adding a new Unisys CP-1674 digital
processor.  The second phase was the upgrading of the APR-38 to
APR-47 standards.

By the time of *Desert Shield*, the F-4G equipped two squadrons
of the 35th TFW, the 561st TFS and the 562nd TFTS.
 
Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the 561st 
TFS (part of the 35th TFW based at George AFB) deployed to the Middle 
East as a part of *Desert Shield*.  Twenty-four F-4Gs were deployed.  
They were configured with three external fuel tanks (one on the 
centerline and two underneath the outboard underwing pylons), four 
chaff/flare dispensors, two AGM-88 HARM missiles on the inboard 
pylons, and three AIM-7M Sparrow missiles and an ALQ-184 electronic 
countermeasures pod in the four missile slots.  

At the time of *Desert Storm*, the F-4G was still the only *Wild 
Weasel* aircraft available to the USAF.  The F-4Gs of the 35th TFW 
played an important part in Operation *Desert Storm* in 1991, when 
they cut a path through Iraqi air defenses during the initial attack 
on January 17.  The F-4Gs of the 52nd TFW based at Spangdahlem in 
Germany were also added to the assets of the 35th TFW based at Sheik 
Isa AFB in Bahrain and to the 7440th Composite Wing based at Incirlik 
AFB in Turkey.  During the war, only one F-4G was lost.  It was 
69-7571, which was damaged by enemy AAA on January 18, 1991.  It 
crashed during an attempted emergency landing, but both crew members 
ejected safely.  

Following Desert Storm and the general defense drawdown after the 
collapse of the Warsaw Pact, George AFB was scheduled to be closed and 
the 35th TFW was deactivated.  In the summer of 1991, F-4Gs formerly 
operated by the 35th TFW were turned over to the Idaho ANG, which 
continues to operate these planes in the present day (1994).  
Following the closing of Clark AFB in the Philippines, some of the 
F-4Gs of the 3rd TFW were reassigned to the 7440th Composite Wing 
based at Incirlik, whereas others were reassigned to the Idaho ANG.  
Several others have been placed in storage.  The 52nd TFW/81st TFS 
based at Spangdahlem in Germany returned their last F-4Gs to the USA 
on March 18, 1994.  These planes were the last US-operated Phantoms to 
be based in Europe.  

The 190th TRS of the Idaho ANG began its conversion from the RF-4C
to the F-4G during the summer of 1991.  Another RF-4C ANG unit,
the 192nd TRS of the Nevada ANG, had been scheduled to convert to
the F-4G (and had even painted F-4G 69-7580 in its distinctive
"High Rollers" insignia), but the Defense Department changed its
mind in April of 1991, and the Idaho ANG so far remains the only
ANG unit to operate the F-4G.

In 1991, it was decided that those F-4Gs not transferred to the ANG
or placed in storage would be converted into drones under the
designation QF-4G.  Tracor Flight Systems of Austin, Texas was to
do the conversion work.  The company reportedly had gotten F-4Gs
69-7261, 69-7301, and 69-7263 for the initial conversion work.  
Following the conversion of 7301 and 7261, the droning program was
halted, at least temporarily.  7301 crashed on May 14, 1993, killing
its Tracor civilian crew.

Combat experience during *Desert Storm* indicated that the phaseout
of the F-4G was premature, and a new active duty squadron, the
561st FS of the 57th FW, was activated at Nellis AFB.  The parent
unit of the 561st was redesignated 57th Wing in April 1993.  The
52nd FW at Spangdahlem in Germany continued throughout 1993 to
deploy to Incirlik in Turkey in suport of the enforcement of the
no-fly zone over northern Iraq.  These F-4Gs returned to Germany
at the end of 1993.  The 81st TFS, 52nd TFW returned their last
F-4Gs to the USA on March 18, 1994.  These planes were the last
US-operated Phantoms to be based in Europe.

Coalition forces enforce the no-fly zone from bases in Saudi Arabia.
Wild Weasel support was initially supplied by the F-4Gs of the
52nd FW.  In April 1993, the Idaho ANG took over this responsibility.
After six months, the active-duty 561st FW was to replace the ANG
unit in this mission.

The F-4G is the only version of the Phantom to remain in front-line 
service with the USAF.  It remains in service with the 52nd TFW, but 
has been transferred from Germany back to the US.  The newly-formed
57th Wing will also operate the F-4G.  

The F-4G is currently the only Wild Weasel aircraft in service with
the USAF.  However, these airframes are 25 years old, and will very
shortly need replacement.  The preferred Wild Weasel replacement
is a version of the F-15E, but this was ruled out on the basis of
cost.  Currently, the USAF plans to produce a Wild Weasel version
of the F-16C Block 50D to fill its interim requirements for a defense
suppression aircraft.  Five squadrons are expected to be acquired.
It now appears that the F-4G will have to soldier on in some capacity
until at least 2000.

The F-4G was operated by the following squadrons: 

USAF: 

3rd TFW, 90th TFS 
35th TFW 
37th TFW (561th TFS, 563rd TFS, 562nd TFTS) 
52nd TFW, 81st TFS 
57th FW, 561th FS
4485th Test Squadron 
7440th Composite Wing 

Air National Guard: 

189th TRTF, 124th TRG, Idaho ANG 
190th FS, 124th FG, Idaho ANG 

106 F-4Gs are currently in existence.  44 of them are being held
in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, either to be returned to service if 
needed or to be converted as QF-4G drones.  34 are with the Air
National Guard, 27 are with the USAF, and one has been converted
into a QF-4G drone.

Serials of F-4E aircraft modified as F-4G Wild Weasel aircraft: 

Initial batch of 115 F-4Gs modified at the Ogden Air Logistics Center
and initially fitted with the AN/APR-38

69-0236/0243, 69-0245/0248, 69-0250/0255, 69-0257/0259, 69-0261, 
69-0263, 69-0265, 69-0267, 69-0269/0275, 69-0277, 69-0279/0281, 
69-0283/0286, 69-0292/0293, 69-0297, 69-0304, 69-0306, 69-7201/7202, 
69-7204/7220, 69-7223, 69-7228, 69-7231/7236, 69-7251, 69-7253/7254, 
69-7256/7260, 69-7262/7263, 69-7270, 69-7272, 69-7286/7291, 69-7293, 
69-7295, 69-7298, 69-7300/7303, 79-7546, 69-7550, 69-7556, 69-7558, 
69-7560/7561, 69-7566, 69-7571/7572, 69-7574, 69-7579/7584, and 
69-7586/7588.  

Second batch of 18 F-4Gs modified at the Ogden Air Logistics Center
and fitted from the outset with the AN/APR-47:

69-0144, 69-0249, 69-0260, 69-0264, 69-0278, 69-0290, 69-0298,
69-0303, 69-0305, 69-0307, 69-7252, 69-7261, 69-7267, 69-7268,
69-7274, 69-7297, 96-7551, and 69-7557.
Sources:

  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.

  Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston and Mike Spick, Crescent, 1983.

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

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

  The Fury of Desert Storm--The Air Campaign, Bret Kinzey, McGraw-
  Hill, 1991.

  The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Armament, Bill Gunston,
  Orion, 1988. 

  The World's Great Attack Aircraft, Gallery, 1988.
  
  Wild Weasel Phantoms, Rene Francillon, Air International, Vol 47,
  No. 1, 1994.

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