F-4T
Air
Vehicle no.1
Eglin
AFB,
Florida
Summer
1981
In
the Mid-70’s MDD looked at re-rolling its F-4E into a dedicated
interceptor by removing the air to ground capability and replacing the WSO
w/a modified digital targeting computer from the F-15A. Citing that the
F-4 was ‘old technology’, no customers expressed any interest, and the
project was shelved. While this project didn’t amount to anything, it
did lay the groundwork for a simplified F-4 variant aimed at the export
market.
The
F-4T was resurrected in 1979 for a requirement from the FMS for a specific
export fighter with diminished performance in weapons carriage and range
when compared to US aircraft. MDD accomplished this by removing the
external fuel tank capability from the outer under wing stations and
replacing the centerline hard point with a new-designed Conformal Weapons
Pallet, capable of carrying ordnance. The APQ-120 radar system had some of
its modes removed, a downgraded targeting computer installed (in place of
the WSO station), and a pair of canards were mounted to the intakes. 2 GE
J79-17 engines power the aircraft, although the newer J79-17X with its
Combat-Plus feature and the P&W F403-1120 are alternatives. Armament
consisted of the 20mm Vulcan cannon, 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders and 4 AIM-7
Sparrow missiles, and up to 12,000lbs of ordnance on 4 underwing pylons
and the centerline pallet. Air to ground ordnance consists of Mk. Series
gen. purpose bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided munitions and rocket
pods. The CWF could hold four 500lb-1000lb bombs in pairs, 2 laser
guided bombs or 1 GBU-8 Hobo EO guided bomb. 1 prototype was converted in
1979, with the 1st flight in August of that same year. The prototype was
finished in a 3-tone camo of dk. Green, olive drab and gunship gray with
hi-viz markings applied. The aircraft was officially entered into the
FMS-sponsored International Export FX competition in 1980. The aircraft
was used in 1981 to test the Mitsubishi-designed AGM-3 unguided glide
bomb. After much demonstration but without a single order, MDD decided to
close the F-4T program in 1983. The prototype was placed in storage at
Davis-Monthan AFB, and stayed there until a year later when it
disappeared.
Bud
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