7 Wild Weasel F4 Tactics You Need To Know

The Wild Weasel F-4, a supersonic, twinjet fighter-bomber aircraft, played a crucial role in the Vietnam War, particularly in the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). The F-4's versatility and capabilities made it an ideal choice for a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance. In this article, we will delve into seven Wild Weasel F-4 tactics that you need to know.

Understanding the Wild Weasel Mission

Before we dive into the tactics, it's essential to understand the Wild Weasel mission. The primary objective of the Wild Weasel program was to develop a capability to neutralize or destroy enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites. The F-4's advanced electronics and missiles made it an ideal choice for this mission.

Key Components of the Wild Weasel Mission

• Detection and localization of enemy SAM sites
• Destruction of SAM sites using anti-radiation missiles (ARMs)
• Suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD)

Tactic 1: Detection and Localization of Enemy SAM Sites

The Wild Weasel F-4's onboard systems, including the APR-25/26 Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW) system, enabled the aircraft to detect and localize enemy SAM sites. The APR-25/26 system could detect and identify enemy radar signals, providing the crew with critical information on the location and type of SAM site.

How it Worked

• The APR-25/26 system detected enemy radar signals and provided the crew with information on the signal's frequency, amplitude, and direction.
• The crew used this information to identify the type of SAM site and its location.
• The F-4's onboard computer processed the data and provided the crew with targeting information for the anti-radiation missile (ARM).

Tactic 2: Destruction of SAM Sites Using Anti-Radiation Missiles (ARMs)

Once the SAM site was detected and localized, the Wild Weasel F-4 would launch an anti-radiation missile (ARM) to destroy the site. The AGM-78 Standard ARM and the AGM-45 Shrike were the primary ARMs used by the Wild Weasel F-4.

How it Worked

• The ARM was launched from the F-4's wing pylon and guided to the target using the F-4's onboard systems.
• The ARM's warhead detonated on impact, destroying the SAM site.

Tactic 3: Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD)

The Wild Weasel F-4's primary mission was to suppress enemy air defenses, allowing friendly aircraft to complete their missions safely. The F-4's advanced electronics and missiles made it an ideal choice for this mission.

How it Worked

• The F-4's onboard systems detected and identified enemy SAM sites.
• The F-4 launched an ARM to destroy the SAM site.
• The F-4's advanced electronics and missiles provided a high level of protection against enemy air defenses.

Tactic 4: Weasel Flight Formation

The Wild Weasel F-4's flight formation was critical to the success of the mission. The Weasel flight formation consisted of two F-4s, with one aircraft acting as the "hunter" and the other as the "killer".

How it Worked

• The hunter aircraft detected and identified enemy SAM sites.
• The killer aircraft launched an ARM to destroy the SAM site.
• The hunter aircraft provided cover for the killer aircraft, using its onboard systems to detect and destroy any enemy aircraft that may have been launched to intercept the F-4s.

Tactic 5: False Target Tactics

The Wild Weasel F-4 used false target tactics to confuse and saturate enemy air defenses. The F-4's onboard systems created false targets, making it difficult for the enemy to identify the real target.

How it Worked

• The F-4's onboard systems created false targets, using a combination of radar and electronic countermeasures (ECMs).
• The enemy air defenses were saturated with false targets, making it difficult to identify the real target.
• The F-4 launched an ARM to destroy the SAM site, while the enemy air defenses were distracted by the false targets.

Tactic 6: Anti-Radiation Missile Tactics

The Wild Weasel F-4 used anti-radiation missile tactics to destroy enemy SAM sites. The F-4's onboard systems detected and identified enemy radar signals, allowing the crew to launch an ARM to destroy the SAM site.

How it Worked

• The F-4's onboard systems detected and identified enemy radar signals.
• The crew launched an ARM to destroy the SAM site.
• The ARM's warhead detonated on impact, destroying the SAM site.

Tactic 7: Coordination with Other Aircraft

The Wild Weasel F-4 coordinated with other aircraft to complete its mission. The F-4 worked with other aircraft, such as the F-105 and the A-4, to provide a comprehensive SEAD capability.

How it Worked

• The F-4 coordinated with other aircraft to provide a comprehensive SEAD capability.
• The F-4's onboard systems detected and identified enemy SAM sites.
• The F-4 launched an ARM to destroy the SAM site, while other aircraft provided cover and support.

Wild Weasel F-4 Tactics Image Gallery

What was the primary mission of the Wild Weasel F-4?

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The primary mission of the Wild Weasel F-4 was to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD), allowing friendly aircraft to complete their missions safely.

What type of missile did the Wild Weasel F-4 use to destroy SAM sites?

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The Wild Weasel F-4 used anti-radiation missiles (ARMs) to destroy SAM sites.

What was the name of the onboard system used by the Wild Weasel F-4 to detect and identify enemy SAM sites?

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The Wild Weasel F-4 used the APR-25/26 Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW) system to detect and identify enemy SAM sites.

What type of tactics did the Wild Weasel F-4 use to confuse and saturate enemy air defenses?

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The Wild Weasel F-4 used false target tactics to confuse and saturate enemy air defenses.

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of the Wild Weasel F-4 tactics used during the Vietnam War. The F-4's advanced electronics and missiles made it an ideal choice for the SEAD mission, and its tactics remain an important part of military history. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask below.