F-4E Phantom II

The F-4E Phantom II is a fighter aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas. First flown in 1965, it is one of the aircraft most associated with the Vietnam War, as well as one of the most famous and recognized fighters jets in existence. Notable achievements related to the Phantom II are scoring the first and only recorded supersonic gun kill, and being the last American fighter to achieve ace status in the 20th century. It is also the only aircraft to be used by both the USAF's Thunderbirds and the US Navy's Blue Angels. The aircraft was retired in 1995; although the aircraft itself is quite outdated, it is still in use by several nations to this day.

In the Ace Combat series, the F-4E Phantom II is normally featured as the first (if not, one of the first) aircraft available to the player. The aircraft is normally associated with Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies, as it is, canonically, the first aircraft flown by the player character, Mobius One. Through its different incarnations the F-4E boasts average statistics. The SP weapon most associated with the Phantom II is the Napalm Bomb.

Air Combat
The F-4E is one of the two first aircraft available to the player in the original Air Combat, alongside the F-14A Tomcat. It costs $750,000. Performance-wise, it is a rather average aircraft, as it has low maneuverability and armor, but high power and stability. The Phantom II is only flown by wingmanWilliam. A second F-4 can be unlocked by completing Mission #4, Night Attack on a Coastal City. It is painted green, unlike the original, and has inferior performance.

Statistics

 * Stability: 50
 * Defense: 20
 * Offense: 20
 * Power: 50
 * Mobility: 20

Air Combat 22
In Air Combat 22, the F-4E appears as an enemy aircraft.

Ace Combat 2
The Phantom II is the first aircraft available to the player, alongside the A-4 Skyhawk. It costs $50,000 to buy. The F-4E, compared to its original incarnation, is somewhat similar in terms of performance; low defense and mobility, average combat capabilities, acceptable climbing capability and high stability.

In mission #2, Easy Money, the player can engage an F-4E ace named "Superfly". The aircraft is notably more maneuverable than other enemy aircraft engaged in the mission. Superfly's shootdown will reward the player with their respective medal in the "Medals" menu, as well as unlock the ace's paint scheme for later use.

Statistics

 * Power: 50
 * Defense: 33
 * Mobility: 35
 * Stability: 70
 * Climbing Ability: 45
 * Air-to-Air: 40
 * Air-to-Ground: 40

Aces

 * Superfly (URF)

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
"Large carrier-based jet designed to shoot down enemy aircraft and destroy ground targets."

- In-game description.

Arguably its most famous incarnation, the F-4E is the first aircraft available for the player in Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. Not unlike its previous incarnations, the Phantom II in Shattered Skies boasts average all-round performance, defense being its only strong point. The only SP weapons available for the Phantom II are the Napalm Bomb and the Unguided Bomb (Medium). It is unique in that its default paint scheme cannot be sold.

Upon completing the game for the first time, the player will, amidst other things, unlock the F-4E Phantom II's 2nd & 3rd (Federal Erusian Air Force and Special) paint schemes.

Statistics

 * Speed: 35
 * Mobility: 35
 * Stability: 35
 * Defense: 55
 * Air-to-Air: 45
 * Air-to-Ground: 35

Armaments

 * Gun: M61 Vulcan Gatling gun with 650 rounds (when on hard or higher)
 * Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder with 52 launches
 * Napalm Bomb x06
 * Unguided Bomb (Medium) x08

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War marks the return of the F-4E. It is unlocked by finishing mission #03, Narrow Margin.

Statistics

 * Speed: 63
 * Mobility: 32
 * Stability: 46
 * Defense: 56
 * Air-to-Air: 25
 * Air-to-Ground: 50

Armaments

 * Napalm Bomb x10

Aces

 * Colonel Ford (OADF)

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
The F-4E Phantom II is unlocked by shooting down Silber 1 in Mission 10 (Mayhem) as a knight pilot.

Statistics

 * Speed: 63
 * Mobility: 32
 * Stability: 46
 * Defense: 56
 * Air-to-Air: 25
 * Air-to-Ground: 50

Armaments

 * Napalm Bomb
 * Unguided Bomb (Large)
 * Semi Active Air-to-Air Missile

Aces

 * Dryade (BAF)
 * Lanze (BAF)
 * Dietrich Kellerman (BAF, Silber Squadron)

Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
The F-4E is the first aircraft made available to the player in Ace Combat X.

Statistics

 * Speed: 66
 * Air-to-Air: 51
 * Air-to-Ground: 15
 * Mobility: 30
 * Stability: 39
 * Defense: 45

Aces

 * 207th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Gryphus" (AAF)
 * Manta (LAF)

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
The F-4E is normally featured as a one of the most common enemy aircraft early in the game, alongside the F-16C Fighting Falcon. Like the F-16C, it has weak armor, and can be destroyed with a single standard missile.

Aces

 * Colonel Gustav Dvornik (Estovakian Air Force)

Statistics

 * Speed: 66
 * Air-to-Air: 51
 * Air-to-Ground: 15
 * Mobility: 30
 * Stability: 39
 * Defense: 45

Armaments

 * QAAM
 * Napalm Bomb
 * UGBL
 * GPB

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
The F-4E Phantom II was unveiled in July 2011 as one of the aircraft available in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. It is exclusive to the European Limited Edition and customers who pre-ordered the game, and can be accessed through a single-use online code.

Online use of the Phantom is generally considered a 'Trophy Fighter' that is seemingly helpless against most other fighters considering its lack of agility, but with a well thought skill set, the Phantom can be a decent re spawn point hunter. Even being able to give mid tier fighters a hard time if used well. In the Fighter-Bomber role, the Phantom does well with its UGB load, as one would expect given its tough armour. Also being one of few aircraft capable of using ECM pods, it can be used as a SAM killer, too, by activating ECM and strafing SAM launchers while they cannot lock and fire on you or allies.

Armaments

 * M61A1 20mm Vulcan
 * AIM-9L Sidewinder
 * SAAM: AIM-7F Sparrow
 * Un-Guided Bomb: Mk.84 2000 lb Bomb
 * ECM: AN/ALQ-184 Jamming Pod

Colors

 * Color 1: United States Air Force grey drab.
 * Color 2: United States Air Force dark green camouflage.
 * Color 3: United States Air Force Vietnam-era Southeast-Asia camouflage with "jaws" nose art and five kill markings.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
The F-4E makes a return once again in Assault Horizon Legacy. This time, rather than being unlocked through completing campaign missions or even the extra challenge missions, it is earned through the promotion system of the game.

Performance-wise, it is relatively inferior to even the starter F-16C, though thanks to the aerial maneuvers system and the tuning upgrades, this can easily be averted. This aircraft also stands out as having the gunpod secondary weapon, though it would better be suited to using the QAAM or the unguided bomb.

Armaments
Standard: Special:
 * Gun
 * Standard Missile
 * QAAM
 * UGB
 * GPD