F-4D Phantom II

Design
Externally indistinguishable from the earlier F-4C, the F-4D actually included numerous internal improvements. Most notable was the inclusion of the AN/APQ-109 radar. Additionally, the AIM-4D Falcon was initially fitted, but its horrendous combat performance resulted in the substitution of the proven AIM-9 Sidewinder. However, it still did not mount an internal gun, and was forced to rely on the poorly-performing SUU-16 and SUU-23 gunpods.

Service History (Post-2011)
Although only two QF-4Ds were acquired from AMARC originally, more F-4Ds were restored to service than any other variant during the Second American Civil War. They primarily saw service in Alabama and Texas squadrons, notably the 160th and 704th Provisional Fighter Squadrons. Though less capable than their F-4E cousins, the earlier-model Phantoms provided a vital supplement to Air National Guard and USAF squadrons.

Generally relegated to ground-attack roles, F-4Ds did serve as air-superiority fighters in the handful of aerial skirmishes occurring in the minor Texas theater, alongside Texas ANG F-16s. In these cases, one enemy F-16A and two Su-22s were shot down, while a single F-4D was shot down by an Su-22. Alabama's F-4Ds were mostly employed in the primary Eastern Seaboard theater for the push to Washington, and were often forward-deployed. At least one F-4, BuNo 66-7754, was detached to John Bryan AFB in late December of 2012 to cover for a damaged F-4E.

In-Game
The F-4D is an Air Support unit available for any Southern Alliance army.