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F-4 Phantom II vs. MiG-27

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F-4

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MiG-27

Role
Fighter-bomberGround-attack
Generation
3rd generationNo generation
National Origin
United StatesSoviet Union
Manufacturer
McDonnell DouglasMikoyan
Price (USD)
$3 Million$7 Million
Primary Users
US NavySoviet Air Forces
First Flight
19581970
Last Production Year
19811994
# Units Built
5,1951,075
Status
RetiredLimited Service
Seats
21
Length
19 m63 ft
17 m56 ft
Wingspan
11 m38 ft
14 m45 ft
Wing Area
49 m²529 ft²
37 m²402 ft²
Height
5 m16 ft
5 m16 ft
Empty Weight
13,757 kg30,330 lbs
11,907 kg26,250 lbs
Gross Weight
18,824 kg41,500 lbs
20,298 kg44,750 lbs
MTOW
28,030 kg61,795 lbs
20,670 kg45,570 lbs
Fuel Capacity
7,257 kg16,000 lbs
5,674 kg12,510 lbs
Number of Engines
21
Engine Type
TurbojetTurbojet
Engine Manufacturer
General ElectricTumansky
Engine Model
J79-GE-17AR-29-B-300
Dry Thrust
53 kN11,905 lbs
79 kN17,600 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
79 kN17,845 lbf
113 kN25,400 lbf
Max Thrust
159 kN35,690 lbf
113 kN25,400 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.23Mach 1.77
Top Speed
2,371 km/h1,473 mph
1,885 km/h1,171 mph
Range
2,815 km1,520 nm
778 km420 nm
Rate of Climb
208 m/s41,000 ft/min
198 m/s39,000 ft/min
Ceiling
17,069 m56,000 ft
14,021 m46,000 ft
G Limit
6 g7 g

What Are the Differences Between the F-4 Phantom II and MiG-27

F-4 Phantom II vs MiG-27 Size Comparison

  • At 19.20 meters, the F-4 Phantom II is 2.10 meters longer than the MiG-27.
  • With a wingspan of 14 meters, the MiG-27 is 2.30 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The F-4 Phantom II and the MiG-27 have the same height at 5.0 m

F-4 Phantom II vs MiG-27 Price

  • The MiG-27 is more expensive than the F-4 Phantom II, with a unit cost of approximately 7 million compared to the F-4 Phantom II’s unit cost of approximately 3 million.

F-4 Phantom II vs MiG-27 Speed

  • The F-4 Phantom II has a top speed of 1,473 miles per hour, and the MiG-27 has a top speed of 1,171 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the F-4 Phantom II 302 miles per hour faster than the MiG-27.

About the F-4 Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is one of the most significant fighter jets in military aviation history, known for its versatility, powerful performance, and distinctive appearance. Initially developed for the US Navy in the late 1950s, the F-4 Phantom II set numerous speed and altitude records for its time and was later adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force.

Production History: The F-4 Phantom II was designed to meet the U.S. Navy's need for a supersonic fighter capable of carrying a significant payload over long distances, without sacrificing speed and maneuverability. The aircraft saw extensive combat in the Vietnam War, serving in both ground-attack and air superiority roles. Production ran from 1958 to 1981, with over 5,000 units built, making it one of the most produced American supersonic military aircraft.

Design Features: Characterized by its large size, twin engines, and tandem two-seat configuration, the F-4 Phantom II was designed without an internal cannon in its initial versions, relying instead on missiles for air combat. The F-4's distinctive design included drooping tail fins and diagonal tail wings, contributing to its recognizable silhouette.

Operational History: The F-4 Phantom II saw extensive use in the Vietnam War, where it performed admirably in dogfighting against lighter North Vietnamese aircraft, as well as in bombing missions. It was also a key figure in American air power throughout the Cold War. The F-4 served with distinction in later conflicts such as the Persian Gulf War and remained in use by several countries into the 21st century.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F-4 Phantom II vs. F-105 Thunderchief

Role and Capabilities: Both aircraft were critical to the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. The F-105 was primarily used for deep strike bombing missions, while the F-4 served in a wider range of roles, including air superiority, fleet defense, and reconnaissance.

Performance: The F-105 Thunderchief, known as the "Thud," was the faster of the two at low altitude and carried a larger bomb load for ground-attack missions. However, the F-4 Phantom II's superior agility, higher service ceiling, and ability to operate from carriers made it a more adaptable and formidable aircraft.

F-4 Phantom II vs. MiG-21

Design: The MiG-21 was the Soviet Union's counterpart to the F-4 during the Vietnam War. It was smaller, lighter, and offered greater agility, designed primarily for air superiority with a secondary ground-attack capability. In contrast, the F-4 was a larger, more versatile fighter-bomber that could engage targets at longer ranges with its superior radar and missile armament.

Operational Capabilities: The MiG-21's agility made it a formidable adversary in visual range dogfights, while the F-4's powerful engines, advanced avionics, and diverse weapons loadout gave it an edge in beyond-visual-range engagements and multirole missions.

About the MiG-27

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27, known by its NATO reporting name "Flogger-D/J," is a ground-attack aircraft derived from the MiG-23 fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Soviet Union. Introduced in the 1970s, the MiG-27 was specifically optimized for the air-to-ground role, featuring significant modifications to enhance its low-altitude flying capability and survivability over the battlefield.

Production History: The development of the MiG-27 was a direct result of the experience gained from the MiG-23's performance, with a focus on improving its functionality in a dedicated ground-attack role. The MiG-27 entered service in the mid-1970s, with production continuing until 1986. Over 1,000 units were produced, serving in the air forces of the Soviet Union and several other nations.

Design Features: Key design changes from the MiG-23 to the MiG-27 included a redesigned nose to accommodate a ground-attack radar and an optical sight, simpler fixed intakes to replace the variable-geometry intakes, and strengthened landing gear to withstand the rigors of low-altitude operations. The MiG-27's armament was centered around a powerful 6-barrel rotary 30mm cannon, with hardpoints for a variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles tailored for ground-attack missions.

Operational History: The MiG-27 played a significant role in several regional conflicts, most notably in the Soviet–Afghan War, where it was used extensively for close air support and interdiction missions. Its service life extended into the 21st century with several air forces, demonstrating its durability and effectiveness in combat.

Comparison with Similar Models:

MiG-27 vs. Su-25

Role and Capabilities: Both the MiG-27 and the Su-25 were designed for close air support and ground-attack missions. While the MiG-27 was adapted from a fighter design and retained some air-to-air capabilities, the Su-25 was purpose-built as a ground-attack aircraft.

Performance: The Su-25 offers superior survivability in a ground-attack role due to its armored cockpit and redundancy in critical systems. The MiG-27, however, benefits from higher speeds and flexibility offered by its variable-geometry wings, allowing for quick ingress and egress from the target area.

MiG-27 vs. A-10 Thunderbolt II

Design Evolution: The A-10 Thunderbolt II and the MiG-27 were developed around the same time, with both aircraft focusing on close air support and combat survivability. The A-10 was designed around its powerful GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon, with an emphasis on loiter capability and battlefield survivability.

Operational Capabilities: While the A-10 is renowned for its tank-killing capabilities, particularly with its armor-piercing ammunition, the MiG-27 offered a broader range of weapons for engaging both soft and hard targets.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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