Phabulous Phantom
Publicado: 19 Oct 2005
En los últimos años, hemos estado siguiendo la progresiva baja de aviones F-4 de distintos modelos. Casi todos debido a la obsolescencia del material. Baste recordar como ejemplo nuestros RF-4C.
Pero aún así, un puñado de países se han dedicado a realizar proyectos de mejora de sus Phamtom, entre los que cabe destacar los F-4E Kurnass 2000 israelies (ahora tb en los Phamtom turcos al estandar F-4E terminator 2020), los F-4EJ Kai japoneses, los F-4F ICE alemanes (tb van a modernizarse a este estandar 39 ejemplares griegos).
F-4E Kurnass 2000
Since 1980, the Israeli Air Force, together with Israel Aircraft Industries, engaged in an upgrade program for the fighter F-4E Phantom Kurnass [Heavy Hammer], resulting in the Kurnass 2000, with revised electronics,cockpit and radar upgrades, structural strengthening and more. Although they look practically identical, the Kurnas 2000 is a completely different plane.
Phantoms refitted to Kurnass 2000 standard underwent many changes and had their wiring, fuel tanks and hydraulic systems replaced. The Norden APG-76 Synthetic Aperature radar replaced the former APQ-120 radar. This radar uses advanced technologies that were originally developed for the US Navy's future attack plane, the A-12 Avenger II - a project that has since been cancelled. A Kairser wide-angle head up display was added as well. The wide angle means that the system effectively covers 60% of the pilot's forward view - twice the angle covered by other systems. The aircraft's avionic suite was also greatly updated with a new mission computer, multifunction displays, new communications gear and more. The Kurnass-2000 upgrade enabled the Phantom II to carry and deliver next generation laser and TV-guided munitions (including AGM-142 Have Lite missiles) with increased precision.
Modifications to the two Phantoms allocated to the program were carried out at the IAF's Central Maintenance Unit. The first Kurnass 2000 prototype took off on 15 July 1987 and the IAF begun extensive testing of the aircraft on 11 August. On 09 April 1989 the 201st "The One" squadron received the first production Kurnass 2000, the serial upgrading of the IAF's Phantom fleet having taken place at Israel Aircraft Industries' facility at Ben Gurion Airport.
February 1991 saw the first operational sortie of the Kurnass 2000, striking terrorist positions in Lebanon. The type which now equips a number of squadrons has since regularly participated in IAF strikes on Lebanon, most notably operation "Accountability" in July 1993 and operation "Grapes of Wrath" in April 1996.
A similar upgrade has also been implemented by IAI on Turkish Air Force Phantoms, including an advanced ELTA SPS-100 fire control system/radar, adopted from the abortive IAI LAVI Technology-demonstrator or early 1990s.
Primary Role Two seat multi-task fighter
Original USA
Dimensions Wingspan: 11.68 m
Length: 19.20 m
Height: 5.00 m
Wing area: 49.24 sq. m
Capabilities Maximum speed: exceeds Mach 2
Attack radius: 492 km
Ceiling: over 18 km
Weight Empty: 13,760 kg, Max. loaded: 28,030 kg
Power Plant Two General Electric J79-GE-17 engines, with a thrust of 5,385 kg. each
Weapon A Vulcan six-barrelled 20 mm. cannon with 640 rounds,
air-to-air Sparrow, Sidewinder, Shafrir 2 or
Python (3, 4).
Air-to-ground armaments weighing 7,257 kg., including guided bombs like Popeye and iron bombs
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_363.shtml
F-4F ICE:
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_362.shtml
The Luftwaffe had hoped to introduce the new "Eurofighter", another European international collaboration, into service in the 1990s, but as with the Tornado, development of the Eurofighter proved troublesome. As another interim measure, 110 of the F-4Fs were given substantial upgrades in the early 1990s under the "KampfWertSteigerung (KWS)" or "Improved Combat Effectiveness (ICE)" program.
The KWS involved adapting the F-4Fs to carriage of the "AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range AAM (AMRAAM)", a vastly improved Sparrow derivative; and replacing the Hughes APQ-120 radar with the Hughes APG-65GY pulse-doppler radar, built under license in Germany, required for use of the AMRAAM. The upgrade also featured new avionics, such as new cockpit displays; a ring-laser gyro INS; new IFF and air-data computer; and a MIL STD-1553B bus to link the avionics together. The KWS F-4Fs were also later fitted with a Litton ALR-68 RWR.
The 37 other surviving Luftwaffe F-4Fs were given a similar upgrade, but retaining APQ-120 radar and without AMRAAM capability. The updates were performed by Deutsche Aerospace AG (DASA), which had previously been MBB. The KWS updates were completed in 1998. The Luftwaffe expects to keep the KWS Phantoms in service until at least 2005.
The Luftwaffe's F-4Es were moved from George AFB to Holloman AFB in New Mexico in 1996, and were presently replaced by KWS F-4Fs rotated from Germany as the F-4Es were no longer representative of the Luftwaffe's Phantoms. In this way, the Phantom still flies over America, though not generally with American pilots. Luftwaffe Phantoms also perform low-level training at Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay.
F-4EJ Kai:
In 1968, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) decided to standardize on the F-4E as their first-line fighter. The service obtained two F-4Es in 1971, delivered from the US as part of a deal for license manufacture by Mitsubishi of Japan. Mitsubishi then assembled nine F-4Es from kits supplied by McDonnell Douglas; followed by two F-4Es that were built from forward fuselage kits, with the other assemblies built by Mitsubishi; and then 127 F-4Es that were completely built by Mitsubishi.
These were the only Phantoms to be built under license. The Japanese F-4Es were referred to as "F-4EJs", and had some slight differences from a "stock" F-4E, mostly in the deletion of some attack systems and inflight refueling capability judged incompatible with the Japanese military philosophy of "self-defense"; fit of a Japanese-built RWR; and compatibility with Japanese "AAM-2" heat-seeking missile, similar in general configuration to the Sidewinder, but derived from the Israeli Rafael-Python AAMs. The last F-4EJ was delivered from Mitsubishi on 20 May 1981, and was the last of 5,195 Phantoms built.
The JASDF also obtained 14 RF-4Es directly from the US, replacing RF-86F Sabres in the reconnaissance role. The RF-4Es were delivered in 1979 and 1980, and had the smoother nose contours of late-production RF-4Es.
* The JASDF initiated an update program for their F-4EJs in 1982. The update featured structural strengthening, reinstatement of inflight refueling capability, and a new avionics suite that included APG-66J radar, used on the F-16, and the computer fitted to the JASDF's F-15Js. The updated aircraft were designated "F-4EJ Kai", where "Kai" stands for "kaizen" or "improvement." The first F-4EJ Kai flew on 17 July 1984, with initial service deliveries in 1989, and a total of 90 F4-EJs updated by the end of the program in 1995.
13 of the RF-4Es were given a similar update, with the original APG-99 radar replaced by APQ-172 radar. The updated RF-4Es were given the designation "RF-4E Kai".
17 F-4EJs were also converted to the "RF-4EJ" reconnaissance configuration, these aircraft carrying all their sensors in underwing pods. The RF-4EJs can carry a standard camera pod for tactical reconnaissance; a long-range camera pod; or an ELINT pod provided by the French firm Thomson-CSF. Over a hundred JASDF Phantoms are expected to remain in service into the early 21st century.
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_364.shtml
Pero aún así, un puñado de países se han dedicado a realizar proyectos de mejora de sus Phamtom, entre los que cabe destacar los F-4E Kurnass 2000 israelies (ahora tb en los Phamtom turcos al estandar F-4E terminator 2020), los F-4EJ Kai japoneses, los F-4F ICE alemanes (tb van a modernizarse a este estandar 39 ejemplares griegos).
F-4E Kurnass 2000
Since 1980, the Israeli Air Force, together with Israel Aircraft Industries, engaged in an upgrade program for the fighter F-4E Phantom Kurnass [Heavy Hammer], resulting in the Kurnass 2000, with revised electronics,cockpit and radar upgrades, structural strengthening and more. Although they look practically identical, the Kurnas 2000 is a completely different plane.
Phantoms refitted to Kurnass 2000 standard underwent many changes and had their wiring, fuel tanks and hydraulic systems replaced. The Norden APG-76 Synthetic Aperature radar replaced the former APQ-120 radar. This radar uses advanced technologies that were originally developed for the US Navy's future attack plane, the A-12 Avenger II - a project that has since been cancelled. A Kairser wide-angle head up display was added as well. The wide angle means that the system effectively covers 60% of the pilot's forward view - twice the angle covered by other systems. The aircraft's avionic suite was also greatly updated with a new mission computer, multifunction displays, new communications gear and more. The Kurnass-2000 upgrade enabled the Phantom II to carry and deliver next generation laser and TV-guided munitions (including AGM-142 Have Lite missiles) with increased precision.
Modifications to the two Phantoms allocated to the program were carried out at the IAF's Central Maintenance Unit. The first Kurnass 2000 prototype took off on 15 July 1987 and the IAF begun extensive testing of the aircraft on 11 August. On 09 April 1989 the 201st "The One" squadron received the first production Kurnass 2000, the serial upgrading of the IAF's Phantom fleet having taken place at Israel Aircraft Industries' facility at Ben Gurion Airport.
February 1991 saw the first operational sortie of the Kurnass 2000, striking terrorist positions in Lebanon. The type which now equips a number of squadrons has since regularly participated in IAF strikes on Lebanon, most notably operation "Accountability" in July 1993 and operation "Grapes of Wrath" in April 1996.
A similar upgrade has also been implemented by IAI on Turkish Air Force Phantoms, including an advanced ELTA SPS-100 fire control system/radar, adopted from the abortive IAI LAVI Technology-demonstrator or early 1990s.
Primary Role Two seat multi-task fighter
Original USA
Dimensions Wingspan: 11.68 m
Length: 19.20 m
Height: 5.00 m
Wing area: 49.24 sq. m
Capabilities Maximum speed: exceeds Mach 2
Attack radius: 492 km
Ceiling: over 18 km
Weight Empty: 13,760 kg, Max. loaded: 28,030 kg
Power Plant Two General Electric J79-GE-17 engines, with a thrust of 5,385 kg. each
Weapon A Vulcan six-barrelled 20 mm. cannon with 640 rounds,
air-to-air Sparrow, Sidewinder, Shafrir 2 or
Python (3, 4).
Air-to-ground armaments weighing 7,257 kg., including guided bombs like Popeye and iron bombs
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_363.shtml
F-4F ICE:
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_362.shtml
The Luftwaffe had hoped to introduce the new "Eurofighter", another European international collaboration, into service in the 1990s, but as with the Tornado, development of the Eurofighter proved troublesome. As another interim measure, 110 of the F-4Fs were given substantial upgrades in the early 1990s under the "KampfWertSteigerung (KWS)" or "Improved Combat Effectiveness (ICE)" program.
The KWS involved adapting the F-4Fs to carriage of the "AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range AAM (AMRAAM)", a vastly improved Sparrow derivative; and replacing the Hughes APQ-120 radar with the Hughes APG-65GY pulse-doppler radar, built under license in Germany, required for use of the AMRAAM. The upgrade also featured new avionics, such as new cockpit displays; a ring-laser gyro INS; new IFF and air-data computer; and a MIL STD-1553B bus to link the avionics together. The KWS F-4Fs were also later fitted with a Litton ALR-68 RWR.
The 37 other surviving Luftwaffe F-4Fs were given a similar upgrade, but retaining APQ-120 radar and without AMRAAM capability. The updates were performed by Deutsche Aerospace AG (DASA), which had previously been MBB. The KWS updates were completed in 1998. The Luftwaffe expects to keep the KWS Phantoms in service until at least 2005.
The Luftwaffe's F-4Es were moved from George AFB to Holloman AFB in New Mexico in 1996, and were presently replaced by KWS F-4Fs rotated from Germany as the F-4Es were no longer representative of the Luftwaffe's Phantoms. In this way, the Phantom still flies over America, though not generally with American pilots. Luftwaffe Phantoms also perform low-level training at Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay.
F-4EJ Kai:
In 1968, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) decided to standardize on the F-4E as their first-line fighter. The service obtained two F-4Es in 1971, delivered from the US as part of a deal for license manufacture by Mitsubishi of Japan. Mitsubishi then assembled nine F-4Es from kits supplied by McDonnell Douglas; followed by two F-4Es that were built from forward fuselage kits, with the other assemblies built by Mitsubishi; and then 127 F-4Es that were completely built by Mitsubishi.
These were the only Phantoms to be built under license. The Japanese F-4Es were referred to as "F-4EJs", and had some slight differences from a "stock" F-4E, mostly in the deletion of some attack systems and inflight refueling capability judged incompatible with the Japanese military philosophy of "self-defense"; fit of a Japanese-built RWR; and compatibility with Japanese "AAM-2" heat-seeking missile, similar in general configuration to the Sidewinder, but derived from the Israeli Rafael-Python AAMs. The last F-4EJ was delivered from Mitsubishi on 20 May 1981, and was the last of 5,195 Phantoms built.
The JASDF also obtained 14 RF-4Es directly from the US, replacing RF-86F Sabres in the reconnaissance role. The RF-4Es were delivered in 1979 and 1980, and had the smoother nose contours of late-production RF-4Es.
* The JASDF initiated an update program for their F-4EJs in 1982. The update featured structural strengthening, reinstatement of inflight refueling capability, and a new avionics suite that included APG-66J radar, used on the F-16, and the computer fitted to the JASDF's F-15Js. The updated aircraft were designated "F-4EJ Kai", where "Kai" stands for "kaizen" or "improvement." The first F-4EJ Kai flew on 17 July 1984, with initial service deliveries in 1989, and a total of 90 F4-EJs updated by the end of the program in 1995.
13 of the RF-4Es were given a similar update, with the original APG-99 radar replaced by APQ-172 radar. The updated RF-4Es were given the designation "RF-4E Kai".
17 F-4EJs were also converted to the "RF-4EJ" reconnaissance configuration, these aircraft carrying all their sensors in underwing pods. The RF-4EJs can carry a standard camera pod for tactical reconnaissance; a long-range camera pod; or an ELINT pod provided by the French firm Thomson-CSF. Over a hundred JASDF Phantoms are expected to remain in service into the early 21st century.
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_364.shtml