The numerous variants, versions, and designations of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom are described below.

Production numbers for major versions

Aircraft Number F-4A 45 F-4B 649 RF-4B 46 F-4C 583 RF-4C 503 F-4D 825 F-4E 1370 F-4E 2020 (Turkey) 54* F-4EJ (Japan) 140 RF-4E 149 RF-4EJ (Japan) 15* F-4F 175 F-4G Wild Weasel 134* F-4J 522 F-4J Phantom F.3 (RAF) 15* F-4K Phantom FG.1 (FAA) 50 F-4M Phantom FGR.2 (RAF) 116 F-4N 228* F-4S 302* asterisk indicates converted from other version

Variants

XF4H-1 Two prototypes for the United States Navy, first flown 1958. F4H-1F (F-4A) Two-seat all-weather carrier-based fighter for the U.S. Navy, J79-GE-2 and -2A engines with 16,100 lbf (71.6 kN) of afterburner thrust each. Named Phantom II in 1959 and redesignated F-4A in 1962; 45 built. TF-4A A small number of F-4As converted into two-seat training aircraft. F4H-1 () Two-seat all-weather carrier-based fighter and attack aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. J79-GE-8A or -8B engines with of afterburner thrust each. Redesignated F-4B in 1962; 649 built. DF-4B F-4Bs converted into drone control aircraft. EF-4B One F-4B converted into an ECM training aircraft. NF-4BF The redesignation of one F-4B for testing purposes. QF-4B F-4Bs converted into unmanned supersonic target drones; 25 converted. F4H-1P () Tactical reconnaissance version of F-4B for United States Marine Corps, nose stretched , smaller AN/APQ-99 radar. Three camera bays typically carried KS-87 forward oblique/vertical camera on Station 1, KS-76 low-altitude panoramic camera on Station 2, and KA-55A or KA-91 high-altitude panoramic camera on Station 3. Also carried AN/APQ-102 reconnaissance SLAR, AN/AAD-4 infrared reconnaissance system, and ALQ-126 ECM suite. The KS-72 or KS-87 cameras were on rotating mounts and could be aimed in flight which improved upon the earlier RF-4C which could only be aligned on the ground. In 1975, modernized under Project SURE (Sensor Update and Refurbishment Effort); 46 built. Retired in 1990. 4 lost in Vietnam. First flown 12 March 1965.

F-110A The original U.S. Air Force designation for the F-4C

Two-seat, all-weather tactical fighter, ground-attack version for the United States Air Force; supported a wide spectrum of weapons including AIM-4 Falcon, AGM-12 Bullpup, and nuclear weapons; wider main wheel tires resulted in distinctive wing bulges; J79-GE-15 engines with provision for cartridge start; boom refueling instead of Navy's probe and drogue refueling; AN/APQ-100 radar; duplicated flight controls in the rear cockpit. The aircraft exceeded Mach 2 during its first flight on 27 May 1963; 583 built. EF-4C Wild Weasel IV F-4Cs converted into Wild Weasel ECM aircraft. Equipped with AN/APR-25 RHAWS, AN/APR-26 missile launch warning system, ER-142 ECM receiver, and AN/ALQ-119 external ECM pod. Armed with AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles and cluster bombs but unable to carry the AGM-78 Standard ARM missile. A total of 36 were converted. Many survivors were reverted to the original F-4C configuration.

RF-4C All-weather tactical reconnaissance version for the U.S. Air Force, AN/APQ-99 (later AN/APQ-172) radar. Equipped similar to RF-4B but with a wider choice of camera fits, including a centerline pod for the gigantic HIAC-1 LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) camera, capable of taking high-resolution images of objects away. Many aircraft were refitted with a more spacious bulging streamlined nose. A sub-variant, to be designated RF-4C(H) was proposed as a night "hunter" aircraft using infrared equipment instead of cameras under Operation Shed Light. In the end, none were converted. While usually unarmed, RF-4Cs retained the ability to carry a nuclear weapon on the centerline pylon. Additionally, the RF-4Cs of the Alabama Air National Guard, Nevada Air National Guard and Fighter Weapons School were modified to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. These modernized RF-4Cs of the Alabama and Nevada Air National Guard participated in the Gulf War; 503 built.

Two RF-4Cs shot down by USSR during Project Dark Gene whilst being flown by USAF pilots. YRF-110A (YRF-4C) Two prototypes were used in the development of the RF-4C reconnaissance version.

F-4C with updated avionics, AN/APQ-109 radar. First flight June 1965. One USAF pilot and two USAF WSOs became aces in F-4Ds; 825 built.

F-4Ds converted into Wild Weasel ECM aircraft. Unlike the EF-4C, the EF-4D had the capability to use the larger AGM-78 Standard ARM. Only two converted.Francillon Air International July 1994, p.17.

F-4E USAF version with an integral M61 Vulcan cannon in the elongated RF-4C nose, AN/APQ-120 radar with smaller cross-section to accommodate the cannon, J79-GE-17 engines with of afterburner thrust each. An additional fuel tank was added at the rear of the fuselage to balance out the Vulcan. Late-series aircraft replaced boundary layer control system with leading-edge slats to improve maneuverability at the expense of top speed under the Agile Eagle program. Starting with Block 53, aircraft added AGM-65 Maverick capability and smokeless J79-GE-17C or -17E engines. First flight 1 August 1965. The most numerous Phantom variant; 1,370 built. F-4E Kurnass 2000 Modernized Israeli F-4Es, AN/APG-76 radar. Contained new avionics, screens, HUD, wiring, digital communication bus. Support for standoff weapons became standard whereas with F-4Es each weapon required different wiring modifications. Entered service in 1989, retired in 2004. F-4E Peace Icarus 2000 (AUP)

In 1998 the Hellenic Air Force decided, in collaboration with the German Aerospace Industry (DASA) and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI/EAB), to upgrade 39 F-4E Phantom II fighters. The first aircraft was delivered at Andravida Air Base in December 2002. All upgraded F-4s were equipped with the new AN/APQ-65YG radar similar to that of the F/A-18 Hornet, a new onboard Mission Control Computer (MCC), a Head Up Display, the IFF Interrogator, Multi Function Displays and were also capable of carrying a variety of advanced Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground missiles. These included the AIM-120 AMRAAM (although only the -B edition), the AIM-9M missile, the AFDS and the entire family of the Paveway (I, II and III) laser-guided bombs. Although gradual retirement of F-4 units started in 2017, a number of aircraft are still operational in multi-role missions with the 338 Squadron ”Ares” based at Andravida Air Base. The F-4E Phantom II PI2000 (AUP) has also been certified for use of GBU-27 Paveway III laser-guided bombs. F-4E Terminator 2020

The latest in a long line of F-4 variants, the Terminators are a batch of Turkish Air Force F-4Es, modernized by Israel on the pattern of the Kurnass 2000. They differ from the existing F-4E airframe in a number of key areas, including new attachment fittings to better handle modern weaponry, stronger wing fold ribs, an updated canopy sill bar, and the replacement of some 20 km of wiring (reducing weight by 750 kg) as well as most hydraulic and pneumatic lines and hoses.F-4 Phantom on the "warriorsoul" , Turkish Armed Forces website, Retrieved: 8 February 2008 A plan to increase the turn-rate and longitudinal stability of the Kurnass/Terminator derivatives through the installation of fuselage strakes over the engine inlets was abandoned after testing, and never saw installation on operational aircraft.

The most radical changes occurred in the avionics department. All 2020s have been fitted with vastly updated suite, including MFDs (multifunction displays) as standard, and incorporating a number of new technologies, such as the new Kaiser El-OP 976 wide-angle HUD and HOTAS system, high performance Elta EL/M-2032 ISAR-capable high-resolution SAR/GMTI (ground moving target indicator) multi-mode fire control radar (developed for the IAI Lavi), IAIC mission computer, new navigation equipment including GPS/INS connected to mapping mode, dual MIL-STD-1553B databus managing avionics package, Astronautics Central Air Data Computer, new UHF and IFF packages, airborne video tape recorder (AVTR), Elta EL/L-8222 active ECM pod, Mikes (Aselsan) AN/ALQ-178V3 passive embedded SPEWS, and RWR.

Additionally, they received AGM-142 Popeye/Have Nap integration, Litening-II targeting pods, and the capability to launch AGM-65D/G Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, GBU-8 HOBOS, GBU-10/12 Paveway II LGBs, general purpose and cluster bombs for air-to-ground missions, while retaining the capability to launch AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. It is also possible to install Pave Spike targeting pods and rocket pods of all sizes.

These upgraded F-4 Phantoms are referred to as the F-4E-2020 Terminator. Fifty-four were modernized and 30-plus of them will be in service until at least 2030. They first entered service on 27 January 2000 with deliveries to 111 and 171 Filo.Phantom for Turkey , J Baugher, May 20, 2000.

QF-4E Remote-controlled target drone F-4EJ

Two-seat all-weather air defense fighter version of F-4E, initially lacked ground attack and in flight refueling capabilities. Built under licence in Japan, by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force; 140 built (138 by Mitsubishi). F-4EJ Kai Upgraded version of the F-4EJ with improved avionics, including AN/APG-66J pulse-doppler radar, and ground attack capability, including ASM-1 anti-ship missile. EF-4EJ Small number of F-4EJs were converted into ECM training aircraft. F-4E(S) Three Israeli F-4E modified for high-speed reconnaissance as a cheaper alternative to the ambitious F-4X. Fitted with a new nose containing the HIAC-1 LOROP long-range camera with a focal length as well as a vertical KS-87 camera. The aircraft had a false radome painted on the nose to resemble conventional F-4Es. The fate and service record of these aircraft is unknown.

Unarmed reconnaissance version for export only. Retrofitted to carry weapons by most customers. Several German Air Force aircraft were modified for ELINT missions under Peace Trout program; 149 built. RF-4EJ Modified Japanese F-4EJ to operate reconnaissance equipment. Unlike RF-4E, M61 Vulcan is mounted in the nose. Fifteen converted.

YF-4E One of the original YRF-4C prototypes was converted into the YF-4E. The YF-4E was used in the development of the F-4E fighter as well as in fly-by-wire Precision Aircraft Control Technology (PACT) and Control Configured Vehicle (CCV) test programs. Three conversions. F-4F Simplified late model F-4E for West German Air Force with increased compatibility with RF-4E. Roughly lighter, lacked ram air turbine, rear fuselage fuel tank, slatted stabilizers, and ability to use AIM-7 Sparrow. All built with leading edge slats. It was originally intended to delete the rear seat from these aircraft as well, but it was not pursued due to nearly doubling the price for an already very expensive procurement program. F-4F ICE/KWS (Improved Combat Efficiency/Kampfwertsteigerung) Upgraded F-4F with AN/APG-65 radar and AIM-120 AMRAAM capability. TF-4F German trainer aircraft, with pilot instructor aft station and appropriate controls.

U.S. Navy version, 12 F-4Bs were fitted with the AN/ASW-21 data link digital communications system for automatic carrier landings, one shot down by enemy ground fire, the surviving 11 returned to F-4B configuration.

F-4G Wild Weasel V F-4E converted to SEAD aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. AN/APQ-120 radar, their cannon replaced by the APR-38 RHAW and later the AN/APR-47, several ECM pods including the ALQ-87, ALQ-101, ALQ-119, ALQ-130, ALQ-131, and the ALQ-140 IR jammer, the ability to carry AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-78 Standard, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. Widely used during the Gulf War, Operation Provide Comfort, and Operation Southern Watch; 116 converted initially, with a further 18 F-4Es converted as attrition replacements for a total of 134. QF-4G Remote-controlled target drone. F-4H Designation not used to avoid confusion with the pre-1962 F4H.