F-4X/RF-4X

Has anyone heard of this supposed “Super F-4” that evolved back in the 70’s? This program was started after the trials at mounting the HIAC-1 LOROP pod on the F-4. The performance of the Phantom when carrying the pod was drastically reduced. This program was begun to improved the performance of the F-4 when carrying this pod. It is interesting what the original proposal was. It was to take the F-4, and put a pair 2500 gallon water tanks conformed to the fuselage sides where the spine meets the air intake trunks. The water was going to be used for some type of water injection system, and it was supposed to increase thrust by 150% at high altitude. This effectively means each engine would produce about 26,850 lb. of thrust bringing the total thrust 53,700 lb. for the F-4. That is incredible in my opinion. The aircraft was to have its air intakes modified for this also. Maximum speed was to have been about Mach 3.2 (2,100 mph) with a cruising speed of about Mach 2.7 or so (1,700 mph maybe?). The Israelis got in on the project which was called Peace Jack. This new Phantom was supposed to be a high-altitude recon aircraft. Later on, people started to think that this aircraft would also be one hell of an interceptor. The Israeli’s were very interested in that idea as well. Some people in Washington however got nervous about giving that type of capability to Israeli because they figured it could pose a possible threat to the SR-71. Also, they wanted the program stopped because the F-4X would have given much competition to the F-15 program which was coming online at the time. The fact is that people in Washington worried the F-4X would be better than the F-15, and would endanger the Eagle program. The program was terminated. Later, the Israeli’s decided to try and see if the LOROP system could be fitted internally. They removed the AN/APQ-120 radar and the gun, and specially designed the nose to house the recce system. This Phantom mod was approved, and entered IDF/AF service as the F-4E(S), the S meaning Special. The Israeli’s built three F-4E(S), one of which was lost in action. The two remaining F-4E(S) are still in service, although I don’t know where they are based. They can carry all the external stores that the RF-4E can including external fuel tanks, ECM pods, and IR missiles for self-defense (Sidewinder and Python). Anyone have any comments or additions to my post?

http://city.walla.co.il/skythe/rf4s.jpg

The bottom plane is the F-4E(S), with an RF-4E up top.