F-4 Phantom II: The Fighter Jet That Shattered 20+ World Records

• The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, introduced in the late 1950s, set over 20 world records for speed, altitude, and time-to-climb between 1959 and 1962.
• Despite its heavy 60,000-pound design, it achieved an incredible speed of Mach 2.23, earning it the moniker 'marvel of brute force engineering'.
• It was the first platform adopted by all three branches of the US military (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps) and played a decisive role in the Vietnam War.
• Equipped with two massive General Electric J79 engines and extensive titanium, its design prioritized thrust over aerodynamics, allowing it to 'see and kill' enemies from a distance.
• Key achievements include a top speed of Mach 2.23, a world record altitude of 98,557 feet (1959), and a payload capacity of 18,650 pounds.

Why It Matters: The F-4 Phantom II redefined fighter jet capabilities, setting numerous world records with its brute force engineering.