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[1] (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.[2]
References
- ↑ List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants, Proposals
- ↑ Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (2004)
AWACS Thunderhead: "Super Phantom shot down!"