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From ACIG.org ACIG Database
Japan bought 154 Phantoms in total: two were built in St. Louis, eleven were built from kits delivered by McDonnell, and the others were built under license production in Japan. The last F-4EJ was delivered on May 20th 1981, making it the last new-built F-4 to be delivered ever. In addition to the F-4EJ, 14 RF-4EJ were delivered directly from the US production line, between 26th November 1974 and 8th June 1975. 96 F-4EJ were updated to F-4EJ Kai (Kai means “extra” or “augmented”) standard. The update consisted of an airframe life extension from 3000 to 5000 flying hours, and replacement of the APQ-120 radar by the smaller and lighter APG-66J system, which can be recognized by the new radome that has tiny strengthening stripes. Among the 47 other new subs-systems installed during this upgrade is also a new central computer, new Kaiser HUD, Hazeltine AN/APZ-79A IFF, Litton LN-39 INS, new J/APR-6 RWR, and a smaller UHF blade antenna on the spine. In the frame of this project also 17 F-4EJs have been rebuilt to RF-4EJ Kai standard. These planes, however, have got an APQ-172 radar, SLEP on the airframe, new HUD, and a podded Thomson-CSF Raphael SKAR system. They can now also carry a large ELINT pod as well. A comparable upgrade has been given to the original RF-4EJs. Today the JASDF still officially owns 104 F-4Ejs and 27 RF-4EJs. Serial numbers of Japanese F-4 17-8301 to 17-8302 production year 1971 27-8303 to 27-8306 production year 1972 37-8307 to 37-8313 production year 1973 37-8314 to 37-8323 production year 1973 47-8324 to 47-8352 production year 1974 57-8353 to 57-8376 production year 1975 67-8377 to 67-8391 production year 1976 77-8392 to 77-8403 production year 1977 87-8404 to 87-8415 production year 1978 97-8416 to 97-8427 production year 1979 07-8428 to 07-8436 production year 1980 17-8437 to 17-8440 production year 1981 RF-EJ 47-6901 to 47-6905 production year 1974 57-6906 to 57-6914 production year 1975 8th Hiko-tai Based at Misawa AB, in 1996 the 8th Hikotai traded its Mitsubishi F.1s for F-4EJs of the 306th Hikotai. 301st Hiko-tai Formed in 1973, this unit still flies F-4EJs from Nuyutabaru AB, and is one of two Fighter Interceptor units flying Phantoms, which are meanwhile equipped with Mitsubishi AAM-3 air-to-air missile.
302nd Hikotai Formed in 1974, this unit flies F-4EJs from Naha AB. 303rd Hikotai Formed in 1976 and originally flying F-4EJs, this unit replaced its Phantoms for F-15Js in 1986 and finished transition in April 1987. 304th Hikotai Formed in 1977, this unit flew F-4EJs until converting on F-15Js, in 1989-1990. 305th Hiko-tai Formed in 1978 this unit converted to F-15Js in 1992.
306th Hikotai Formed in 1981 this was the first unit to accept the F-4EJ Kai version in service. It switched to F-15Js in 1996-1997. 501st Hikotai This is the main tactical reconnaissance unit of the JASDF, and it still flies both versions, the RF-4EJ and the RJ-4EJ Kai. 501st Hikotai is based at Rinji AB.
Rinji F-4EJ Hikotai This provisional unit was formed in August 1972 and later became the nucleus of the 301st Hikotai. Hiko Kaihatsu Jikkendan The JASDF test unit also has few F-4EJs on strength.
F-4EJ Website (in Japanese)
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