How the failure of the F-4 Phantom led to the F-15, F-16, and Top Gun

phantom failures

In the early stages of the Cold War, the United States Navy (USN) needed fast, all-weather aircraft to protect its carrier battle groups from Soviet bombers armed with anti-ship missiles. Won the design contest in 1958 mcdonnell douglas The F-4 Phantom II was built around the concept of an extremely fast aircraft capable of rapidly launching and intercepting incoming bombers beyond visual range.