Weapons & Stores
As a cornerstone of air forces around the globe, the F-4E's effectiveness is not only attributed to its advanced avionics and airframe design but also to its formidable array of weapons and stores.
The F-4E features three main types of Air-to-Air Weaponry including Heat-Seeking Missiles with the AIM-9 in different variants, the semi-active radar homing missile AIM-7 in different variants and a M61A1 Vulcan cannon that can be used against Air and Ground Targets.
The aircraft can be armed with a variety of bombs, rockets, and guided munitions to engage and neutralize ground targets. Precision-guided munitions, such as laser-guided bombs, enable the Phantom II to strike high-value targets with precision, minimizing collateral damage and maximizing mission success.
In addition to its lethal armament, the F-4E can be configured with external fuel tanks to extend its operational range. The aircraft can also carry specialized stores, including targeting pods and electronic warfare (EW) systems.
Loadout
The following diagram gives an overview of all stores that can be loaded on the stations.
💡 In practice, not all combinations might be possible, as there are a lot of technical factors resulting in restrictions.
| Store / Station | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIM-7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| AIM-9 | (2) | (2) | 4 | |||||||
| AGM-12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| AGM-45 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| AGM-62 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
| AGM-65 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||
| MK-81 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 24 | ||||
| MK-82 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 24 | ||||
| Mk-83 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | ||||
| Mk-84 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||
| M117 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | ||||
| SAMP-250 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 | ||||
| Mk-20 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 12 | ||||||
| CBU-1/A | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | ||||||
| CBU-2/A | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | ||||||
| CBU-52 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | |||||
| CBU-87 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | ||||
| BL-755 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | ||||
| GBU-10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| GBU-12 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |||||
| GBU-24 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| BDU-33 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 24 | ||||
| BDU-45 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |||||
| BDU-50 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 24 | ||||
| BLU-107 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 12 | ||||||
| GBU-8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| FFAR (×19) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 285 | ||||
| SUU-23 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| SUU-25 (x8) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 48 | ||||||
| ALQ-131 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| AN/AVQ-23 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| AN/ASQ-T50 | (2) | (2) | 4 | |||||||
| AN/ALE-40 | (1) | (1) | 2 | |||||||
| Fuel Tank | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
In general, stations 3, 4, 6 and 7 can be used to load Air-To-Air Missiles, or also Jammer and Targeting Pods.
Air-To-Ground Ordnance is mostly carrier on pylons 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9.
Pylons 2 and 8 are special, since they can be equipped with the Special-Weapons-Adapter (SWA) and have additional attach-points on their sides (labelled 2L, 2R, 8L, 8R) for loading AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles without occupying the entire pylon.
💡 AIM-9 Sidewinder can be loaded onto pylon 2 and 8 additionally to other ordnance. Hence, it is still possible to equip for example a Maverick on the same pylon.
Further, AN/ALE-40 Countermeasure Dispensers can be attached to the aft section of Pylon 2 and 8. Allowing the aircraft to carry a mix between 120 chaff and 30 flares in total.