F-4 Phantom II in the Vietnam War

In 1952, McDonnell Aircraft began internal studies to determine which service branch was most in need of a new aircraft. Led by Preliminary Design Manager Dave Lewis, the team found that the US Navy would soon require a new attack aircraft to replace the F3H Demon. The designer of the Demon, McDonnell began revising the aircraft in 1953, with the goal of improving performance and capabilities. Creating the Superdemon, which could achieve Mach 1.97 and was powered by twin General Electric J79 engines, McDonnell also created an aircraft that was modular in that different cockpits and nose cones could be affixed to the fuselage depending on desired mission. The US Navy was intrigued by this concept and requested a full-scale mock-up of the design. Assessing the design, it ultimately passed as it was satisfied with the supersonic fighters already in development such as the Grumman F-11 Tiger and Vought F-8 Crusader.  Ã‚   Design Development Altering the design to make the new aircraft an all-weather fighter-bomber featuring 11 external hardpoints, McDonnell received a letter of intent for two prototypes, designated YAH-1, on October 18, 1954. Meeting with the US Navy the following May, McDonnell was handed a new set of requirements calling for an all-weather fleet interceptor as the service had aircraft to fulfill the fighter and strike roles. Setting to work, McDonnell developed the XF4H-1 design. Powered by two J79-GE-8 engines, the new aircraft saw the addition of a second crewman to serve as a radar operator. In laying out the XF4H-1, McDonnell placed the engines low in the fuselage similar to its earlier F-101 Voodoo and employed variable geometry ramps in the intakes to regulate airflow at supersonic speeds. Following extensive wind tunnel testing, the outer sections of the wings were given  12 ° dihedral (upward angle) and the tailplane  23 ° anhedral (downward angle). Additionally, a dogtooth indentation was inserted in the wings to enhance control at higher angles of attack. The results of these alterations gave the XF4H-1 a distinctive look. Utilizing titanium in the airframe, the XF4H-1s all-weather capability was derived from the inclusion of the AN/APQ-50 radar. As the new aircraft was intended as an interceptor rather than a fighter, early models possessed nine external hardpoints for missiles and bombs, but no gun. Dubbed the Phantom II, the US Navy ordered two XF4H-1 test aircraft and five YF4H-1 pre-production fighters in July 1955. Taking Flight On May 27, 1958, the type made its maiden flight with Robert C. Little at the controls. Later that year, the XF4H-1 entered into competition with the single-seat Vought XF8U-3. An evolution of the F-8 Crusader, the Vought entry was defeated by the XF4H-1 as the US Navy preferred the latters performance and that the workload was split between two crew members. After additional testing, the F-4 entered production and commenced  carrier suitability trials in early 1960. Early in production, the aircrafts radar was upgraded to the more powerful  Westinghouse AN/APQ-72. Specifications (F-4E Phantom II) General Length: 63 ft.Wingspan: 38 ft. 4.5 in.Height: 16 ft. 6 in.Wing Area: 530 sq. ft.Empty Weight: 30,328 lbs.Loaded Weight: 41,500 lbs.Crew: 2 Performance Power Plant: 2 Ãâ€" General Electric J79-GE-17A axial compressor turbojetsCombat Radius: 367 nautical milesMax. Speed: 1,472 mph (Mach 2.23)Ceiling: 60,000 ft. Armament 1 x M61 Vulcan 20 mm Gatling cannonUp to 18,650 lbs. of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and most types of bombs Operational History Setting several aviation records just prior to and in the years after introduction, the F-4 became operational on December 30, 1960, with VF-121. As the US Navy transitioned to the aircraft in the early 1960s, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara pushed to create a single fighter for all branches of the military. Following an F-4Bs victory over the F-106 Delta Dart in Operation Highspeed, the US Air Force requested two of the aircraft, dubbing them the F-110A Spectre. Evaluating the aircraft, the USAF developed requirements for their own version with an emphasis on the fighter-bomber role. Vietnam Adopted by the USAF in 1963, their initial variant was dubbed the F-4C. With the US entry in the Vietnam War, the F-4 became one of the most identifiable aircraft of the conflict. US Navy F-4s flew their first combat sortie as part of Operation Pierce Arrow on August 5, 1964. The F-4s first air-to-air victory occurred the following April when Lieutenant (j.g.) Terence M. Murphy and his radar intercept officer, Ensign Ronald Fegan, downed a Chinese MiG-17. Flying primarily in the fighter/interceptor role, US Navy F-4s downed 40 enemy aircraft to a loss of five of their own. An additional 66 were lost to missiles and ground fire. Also flown by the US Marine Corps, the F-4 saw service from both carriers and land bases during the conflict. Flying ground support missions, USMC F-4s claimed three kills while losing 75 aircraft, mostly to ground fire. Though the latest adopter of the F-4, the USAF became its largest user. During Vietnam, USAF F-4s fulfilled both air superiority and ground support roles. As F-105 Thunderchief losses grew, the F-4 carried more and more of the ground support burden and by the end of the war was the USAFs primary all-around aircraft. To support this change in mission, specially equipped and trained F-4 Wild Weasel squadrons were formed with the first deploying in late 1972. In addition, a photo reconnaissance variant, the RF-4C, was used by four squadrons. During the Vietnam War, the USAF lost a total of 528 F-4s (of all types) to enemy action with the majority being down by anti-aircraft fire or surface-to-air missiles. In exchange, USAF F-4s downed 107.5 enemy aircraft. The five aviators (2 US Navy, 3 USAF) credited with ace status during the Vietnam War all flew the F-4. Changing Missions Following Vietnam, the F-4 remained the principal aircraft for both the US Navy and USAF. Through the 1970s, the US Navy began replacing the F-4 with the new F-14 Tomcat. By 1986, all F-4s had been retired from frontline units. The aircraft remained in service with the USMC until 1992, when the last airframe was replaced by the F/A-18 Hornet. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the USAF transitioned to the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. During this time, the F-4 was retained in its Wild Weasel and reconnaissance role. These two latter types, the F-4G Wild Weasel V and RF-4C, deployed to the Middle East in 1990, as part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. During operations, the F-4G played a key role in suppressing Iraqi air defenses, while the RF-4C collected valuable intelligence. One of each type was lost during the conflict, one to damage from ground fire and the other to an accident. The final USAF F-4 was retired in 1996, however several are still in use as target drones. Issues As the F-4 was initially intended as an interceptor, it was not equipped with a gun as planners believed that air-to-air combat at supersonic speeds would be fought exclusively with missiles. The fighting over Vietnam soon showed that engagements quickly became subsonic, turning battles which often precluded the use of air-to-air missiles. In 1967, USAF pilots began mounting external gunpods on their aircraft, however the lack of a leading gunsight in the cockpit made them highly inaccurate. This issue was addressed with the addition of an integrated 20 mm M61 Vulcan gun to the F-4E model in the late 1960s. Another problem that frequently arose with the aircraft was the production of black smoke when the engines were run at military power. This smoke trail made the aircraft easy to spot. Many pilots found ways to avoid producing the smoke by running one engine on afterburner and the other at reduced power. This provided an equivalent amount of thrust, without the telltale smoke trail. This issue was addressed with the Block 53 group of the F-4E which included smokeless J79-GE-17C (or -17E) engines. Other Users The second-most produced Western jet fighter in history with 5,195 units, the F-4 was extensively exported. Nations that have flown the aircraft include Israel, Great Britain, Australia, and Spain. While many have since retired the F-4, the aircraft has been modernized and is still use (as of 2008) by Japan, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Iran, and South Korea.

Rhetorical Analysis of the Declaration of Independence Essays

Quang Thai Professor Allison English 101 2 September 2014 Rhetorical Analysis In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, explains to his readers why the colonies chose to abolish Great Britain’s government. His goal is to inform the readers that the government has certain responsibilities to the governed and that the British failed to adhere to its responsibilities to its colonists. His second goal is to justify their actions by explaining why it was not considered treason. By establishing his credibility and appealing to ethos, pathos and logos, Jefferson successfully wrote an informative, impactful, and inspirational document. In order for Jefferson to earn his readers’†¦show more content†¦In Jefferson’s declaration, both the organization and the use of logic are effective and adequate. He begins with the colonists’ fundamental beliefs that â€Å"all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.† He addresses that the role of the government is to secure and protect the rights of the people. As he proceeds, he states that if the government fails to â€Å"secure these rights,† then â€Å"it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and institute new Government.† Jefferson then creates a list of ways in which the British government has violated and stripped the colonists of their rights. Through the inductive proof, he explains the reason in which the colonists must become independent from Britain to gain freedom and to be treated fairly. The list of grievances strongly appeals to his audience’s emotions. Jefferson utilizes a powerful, emotional diction to implement the colonists’ sentiments toward the King’s character into his writing. He uses certain words such as tyrants, invasions, murders, abdicated, death, desolation, cruelty, barbarous, and destruction. These words make the audience establish a sympathetic feeling towards the colonists and that the King is â€Å"totally unworthy [to be] the Head of a civilized nation† and â€Å"unfit to be the ruler of a free people.† Jefferson emphatically proves the injustice and brutality of the King and Parliament.Show MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence.1343 Words   |  6 PagesRhetorical Analysis of the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is arguably the most important historical work of the pre-modern era. Because of this document, America was recognized for its brash, albeit just demands for independence from Britain. Aside from the obvious historical significance and precedence of the document, its composition was constructed in such a way that conveyed the determination of a new nation to be one in its own. 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In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote: We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights;Read MoreRhetorical Analysis Essay: Cunt, a Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio1026 Words   |  5 PagesInga Muscio is a very influential writer. Over the years she has earned tremendous credibility within the feminist world. In the chapter, â€Å"Rape not Cunt,† from her well known book Cunt, a Declaration of Independence, Inga passionately writes of her feelings about violence against women. She attempts to use rhetoric and captures the reader with a call of action to help prevent further violence against women. 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Hedda Gabler Essay Free Essays

The scene we chose from Hedda Gabler comes from Act 2, line 278 to line 422. The main characters involved in this scene are Tesman, Eilert Lovborg, Hedda, and Brack. Eilert Lovborg’s objective in this scene is to make sure that people will enjoy his new novel he has written. We will write a custom essay sample on Hedda Gabler Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Although many readers of this play get the misconception that Lovborg wants to compete against Tesman for a position at the university, his most important goal is to get acknowledgement of his transformation and achievement. The obstacle that stands in his way is his skepticism in the popularity of his novels. Lovborg worries that his book will not be successful and that he will be still known as the alcoholic that writes horrible books. He also believes that his book will not be as good because he was just trying to please everyone with a general history of the past. A tactic that Lovborg has in order to overcome his doubts is his assurance in his other book. He has written another book. The manuscript he has with him will be worth reading and he has much faith in this that gives him the confidence he needs to succeed. Tesman’s initial objective in this scene is to secure his position at the university. He believes that Lovborg will try to compete against him for this position. An obstacle that Tesman has in the beginning of this scene is his misunderstanding of the competition he has against Lovborg. He worries about obtaining this position. Another objective that Tesman has is to be relieved and satisfied without being worried. After he understands that his obstacle with Lovborg was a misunderstanding, Tesman realizes that his obstacle is how Hedda resents her inclusion in his excitement. Tesman’s overall tactic in both of these events is to just run away from the problems. He does this by leaving the scene with Brack to get some punch. Hedda’s objective in this scene is to make this interaction between Lovborg, Tesman, and Brack very friendly. An obstacle that arises is how Tesman is stressed out with the issues dealing with this meeting that is about to occur. He is worried about the competition he has with Lovborg. Hedda’s tactic to relieve this anxiety is her answers to his questions he has and her comforting ideas to bring tranquility to the atmosphere. Brack’s objective in this play is to get Lovborg to come to his house for the party. He wants Lovborg to come and read his manuscript at the party. An obstacle is when Lovborg says that he would do it some other time. Also, Hedda supports the rejection Lovborg has to Brack’s invitation. She states that if Lovborg doesn’t want to go, he should just have supper with her that night. Brack’s tactic was to give Lovborg compliments on his works. Also, Brack got Tesman involved in trying to lure Lovborg so he told him of all the benefits he would get to come to the party such as the â€Å"plenty of rooms,† tactic. Enoch will act as Brack and be in charge of the set design, Julie will act as Hedda and be in charge of the sound design, Jae will act as Tesman and be in charge of the costume design, and Lucy will act as Lovborg and be in charge of light design. How to cite Hedda Gabler Essay, Essays