Iran F4 Phantoms used against ISIS.....is that correct

[bobbysocks]

i was wondering about older planes like the F-4. with the weapon systems of today is the airframe and power plant extremely important...especially for countries like iran? new electronics for targeting and counter meansures and a weapons upgrade to the latest A2A or A2G missile and you still have a very effective craft. maybe not as fast or stealthy....but if you arent going up against the us, russia, or china, you could still be sitting good....especially against someone like ISIL who has no air wing and very few, if any, SAMs.

 

[nuuumannn]

Depending on the extent of the modifications and upgrades, creating an effective strike fighter of an old airframe is certainly a viable option for cash strapped armed forces; look at the German ICE upgrade for its F-4Fs before the arrival of Eurofighter. McDonnell F-4F/ICE Phantom II

In the mid 1980s the RNZAF chose to upgrade its A-4s instead of replacing them; the result was a capable strike aircraft with considerable advances over similar vintage combat aircraft in service with air forces in the Oceania region, although it was spcifically tailored for New Zealand's needs, which are vastly different to that of a NATO air force. Project Kahu - Kahu - the A-4K Skyhawk Story

The biggest hindrance to operating older airframes isn't always their capability in the face of modern technology, but maintenance time. Aircraft like Phantoms and A-4s were and are still capable performance and load carrying capability wise, but as they get older, spares support becomes scarcer and costs rise, as well as time spent in the hangar. Local support in terms of specialised MRO (Mainteneance Repair Overhaul) facilities certainly help, but it does become a bit of a monster sustaining old airframes and technology while the rest of the world is trying to rid itself of it. In New Zealand, long after other countries had abandoned overhauling engines such as the Rolls Royce Dart, J52 (A-4) and RR Viper, one such facility continued/continues to provide product support for these old engines purely because the facilities and the staff knowhow still exists with which to do it.

 

[KiwiBiggles]

Correction to nuuumannn's link above:

Project Kahu - Kahu - the A-4K Skyhawk Story

 

[nuuumannn]

Thanks Kiwibiggles, just rejigged it. Nice website on the Skyhawks.