Unleashing the DCS: F-4E Phantom II

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3 nov
2023
Unleashing the DCS: F-4E Phantom II

The F-4 Phantom II is an American two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long- range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy. After entering service with the Navy in 1961, it became adopted by the United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force. Due to its high adaptability, versatility and for its time, unparalleled capabilities, it quickly turned into the main workhorse for all 3 branches and spread beyond the borders of the United States, going on to serve and protect 12 nations across the world, with Phantoms still in operation today. Its production ran from 1958 to 1981, and with nigh 5200 Phantoms built, it became the most produced supersonic US military aircraft in the history, solidifying its place as one of the most recognizable and well known aircraft of the cold war era. 

It truly was an iconic and phabulous aircraft that enjoyed unrivaled power and capabilities at the time. It instilled a sense of wonder with unmatched character and left its pilots with a deep sense of respect and love. Both an interceptor and potent air to air fighter, it proved its multirole capabilities as a highly effective air to ground workhorse which packed a serious punch. This unprecedented mission agility and reliability is reflected in the type’s operational lifetime which spanned well over six decades, continuing even today.

Some of the important features of the aircraft are the two General Electric J- 79 turbofan engines which generated  an impressive dry thrust of 23,810 lbs and a max afterburner thrust of 35,690 lbf; a crew of two; the powerful AN/APQ-120 Radar; the Digital Scan Converter Group (DSCG); the Weapons Release Computer Set (WRCS); the Aircraft Weapons Release Unit (AWRU) and an Altitude Reference and Bombing Computer Set (ARBCS). The DSCG version of the F-4E also comes with the AN/AVQ-23 Pave Spike targeting pod, allowing for precision strikes and the (self-)-employment of laser guided ammunition. Additionally the F-4E can carry the AGM-65 Maverick, a wide array of iron bombs as well as TV and laser guided bombs, plus the capability to carry out Wild Weasel (SEAD) tasks in a limited capacity with the AGM-45 Shrike. 

Unlike previous Phantom variants, the -E comes equipped with an integrated M61 Vulcan cannon that can be used both in an air to ground and air to air role. It has an optical sight that allows for lead computing optical sighting (LCOS) in air to air, as well as the ability to carry additional Vulcan cannon pods. It benefits from the ALR-46 Radar Warning Receiver, the AN/ALE-40 countermeasures suite, the AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod, KY-28 encryption equipment and employs a range of early to modern era AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles for aerial combat that can be also used through the additional specialized CAGED and computer automatic acquisition (CAA) modes.

The Heatblur Simulations F-4E Phantom II aims to simulate this iconic aircraft as a high-fidelity module for DCS, being the culmination of several years of research, coding and modeling.

Special points to highlight are the extensive use of laser scanning and photogrammetry from real Phantoms at various museums, the detailed External Flight Model (EFM) developed over the past several years and verified by F-4 pilots and WSOs, the detailed modeling of the AN/APQ- 120 radar, the various complex onboard systems, and the ability to fly as a two- crew aircraft in multiplayer in addition to the proprietary JESTER-AI assisting you as your AI-WSO in singleplayer.

Key features of the Heatblur Simulations DCS: F-4E Phantom II include:

NOTE: Some features may not be available immediately. The later F-4E DMAS equipped variant, including Pave Tack and TISEO, will follow during the early access period and the tutorials and campaigns will be implemented and expanded as well.


 Please remember you can save -25% whilst pre-purchasing the DCS: F-4E Phantom II. This discount will not be available once the module is released to early access.
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