The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a long-range, twin-seat, supersonic fighter-bomber and interceptor originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It entered service in 1960 with the US Navy. It was also adopted by the Marine Corps and in 1963 by the United States Air Force, so that by the mid-1960s it was already an important part of their respective aircraft fleets.

Although the Phantom is a large fighter with a maximum takeoff weight of over 27,000 kg, it is capable of reaching a maximum speed of close to Mach 2.23 and an initial climb rate of 210 m/s. Starting in 1959, this aircraft model set fifteen world records, including an absolute speed record (2,585.086 km/h) and an absolute altitude record (30,040 m). Five of the speed records were not broken until 1975. It can carry more than 8,400 kg of weaponry on nine external mounts, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and various types of bombs. The F-4, like other interceptors of its time, was designed without an internal cannon, as the use of missiles was expected to eliminate the need for direct combat, but later versions incorporated an M61 Vulcan rotary cannon.