F-4X

The F-4X Phantom II is an advanced F-4E Phantom II derivative proposed under the joint Israeli-American project Peace Jack, which called for the development of an F-4 allowing Israel to conduct reconnaissance over its neighboring countries. Water injection was projected to give the aircraft a top speed in excess of Mach 3 (over 2,000 mph/3,200 km/h at high altitudes), and was rumored to become a new interceptor aircraft because of its capabilities. The water would be contained in a pair of 2,500 US gal (9,600 l) conformal tanks on the sides of the fuselage spine (according to other sources water should be contained in a pair of conformal tanks of 300 US gal (1134 l) each). However, it was believed that the F-4X would become a potential competitive threat to the SR-71 Blackbird, a fact that, combined with the development of the F-15 Eagle eventually killed Project Peace Jack in 1974.

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War

The aircraft is one of the game's rarest AI-controlled fighters, appearing solely in mission #9, "Lit Fuse", when a single F-4X appears from the northeast during the Osean Army's siege on the Yuktobanian fortress. Said aircraft will respawn indefinitely once destroyed.

The F-4X is the final aircraft of the F-4E Phantom II aircraft family, unlocked upon filling the F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel's Kill Bar (roughly 47,450 pts.) It is notable for being the most maneuverable aircraft of the Phantom family with a (rather acceptable) score of 52 points. As well, it is the Phantom variant most fit for air combat, with a score of 73. It comes equipped with XMAA missiles, allowing it to compete with most high-tier fighters, such as the F-22A Raptor.

Statistics

• Speed: 83
  
• Mobility: 54
  
• Stability: 61
  
• Defense: 60
  
• Air-to-Air: 73
  
• Air-to-Ground: 37

Paint schemes

• Osea: Metallic gray.
• Razgriz: Black with red top of the fin.
• Yuktobanian: Light/dark blue.

Armaments

• Gun: 20mm M61A1 Vulcan Cannon
• MSSL: 70x AIM-9M Sidewinder
• XMAA: 10x AIM-120C AMRAAM

Trivia

• The Osean color of the F-4X (Hill Grey II paint scheme), if not the aircraft itself, was used in the reveal trailer of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War by the secondary members of the Silber Squadron.
• During the development of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, the F-4X had the reporting name of "Super Phantom". An unused line of AWACS Thunderhead in the game's files would have led him to utter the name in the event of an F-4X kill - similar lines for other aircraft were recorded, but were unused in the final release.