McDonnell Douglas F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel #3
by Arthur Eggers
Title
McDonnell Douglas F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel #3
Artist
Arthur Eggers
Medium
Digital Art - Color Print
Description
The 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) was assigned to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and in became part of the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW). On 1 January 1977, the 52nd TFW consisted of the 23rd TFS, 81st TFS, and the 480th TFS. In November 1983, the 52nd TFW underwent a major reorganization and became the first and only all-defense suppression wing outside of the United States. Under this configuration, each of the wing�s three fighter squadrons flew a mixture of E and G model F-4 fighters. The airplanes were paired into Wild Weasel hunter/killer teams capable of locating and destroying enemy radar-guided, surface-to-air threats in any weather. The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel," was the last model still in the active Air Force inventory, until it was replaced by the F-16CJ/DJ in the role of increasing the survivability of tactical strike forces by seeking out and suppressing or destroying enemy radar-directed anti-aircraft artillery batteries and surface-to-air missile sites. F-4G's were E models modified with sophisticated electronic warfare equipment in place of the internally mounted 20mm gun. The F-4G could carry more weapons than previous Wild Weasel aircraft and a greater variety of missiles as well as conventional bombs. The primary weapon of the F-4G, however, was the AGM-88 HARM (high speed anti-radiation missile). Other munitions included cluster bombs, and AIM-65 Maverick and air-to-air missiles. The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel," which inherited most of the features of the F-4E, was capable of passing real-time target information to the aircraft's missiles prior to launch. Working in hunter-killer teams of two aircraft, such as F-4G and F-16C, the F-4G hunter could detect, identify, and locate enemy radars then direct weapons that will ensure destruction or suppression of the radars. The technique was effectively used during Operation Desert Storm against enemy surface-to-air missile batteries. F-4G's deployed to Saudi Arabia also were equipped with ALQ-131 and ALQ-184 electronic countermeasures pods.
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July 15th, 2016
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