Kneeboards for F-4E Phantom for air-to-air missile, guided/unguided weapon employment.
These are not official procedures, just what I've put together as a quick reminder on how to employ various weapons on the F-4E (after not flying it for a while, or in this case, while learning a new module). Kneeboards include:
F-4E - AGM-45-1.png
F-4E - AGM-45-2.png
F-4E - AGM-62.png
F-4E - AGM-65.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR ACM AIM-9.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-1.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-3.png
F-4E - GBU-12 PAVE SPIKE.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-2.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND GUNS.png
The F-4E kneeboards need to be placed in the F-4E Kneeboard folder, for example:
C:\Users\<your name>\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\Kneeboard\F-4E-45MC
Enjoy!
AKA_Relent
(ED forums: 609_Relentov)
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Update: 5/23/2025: I've made updates to one kneeboard that has expanded it to two pages:
F-4E - AGM-45-1.png
F-4E - AGM-45-2.png
In addition to some slight procedural updates, I've updated the table showing the SAM/RADAR/RF Guidance Unit types with expanded entries, and fixes. I only show the SAM/Radar/RF guidance type combinations that the AGM-45 was actively tracking, based on my testing.
Please delete/replace the following kneeboard with the two replacement kneeboards above:
F-4E - AGM-45.png
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Update: 8/24/2024: I've made updates to two kneeboards:
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-1.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-3.png
With the added Jester commands to enter boresight mode and change the target aspect, I've added a section "Transitioning from BVR to ACM with AIM-7 using Boresight (<= ~15 NM)". This required expanding the kneeboard from 2 to 3 pages. Please replace the previous two page kneeboard(s) with the new three page kneeboard(s)
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
I've updated the TOO bombing table (mils) for low drag bombs after doing more testing.
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Update: 7/19/2024: I've made minor updates to two kneeboards:
F-4E - GBU-12 PAVE SPIKE.png
I've added a step to engage AFCS/ALT hold to assist with maintaining level flight, which can help with keeping Pave Spike cross-hairs on target
F-4E - UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND GUNS.png
I've updated the recommended reticle depression mils setting for rocket pods after doing more testing.
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Update: 7/5/2024: I've made a minor addition to one kneeboard:
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png
I've modified the section "ACM with AIM-7 using CAGE mode (<= 5 NM)" (used to be called "ACM with AIM-7 (<= 5 NM)"):
- In addition to the existing steps for obtaining a CAA lock (i.e. "Option #1"), I've added steps to utilize Jester to lock a target in CAGE mode (i.e. "Option #2")
I found that given enough time is available in a head on pass, or if the target aircraft is cold, this has been more reliable for me in getting a lock than trying to obtain a CAA lock (within 5 NM).
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Update: 6/30/2024: I've made two relatively minor changes:
I've updated the following kneeboard:
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR ACM AIM-9.png
I removed the section AIM-9 ACM Mode Employment, as I really never had success with this - it's much more reliable using bore-sight employment. I also added to my notes about which AIM-9's don't uncage the seeker or have no lock tone
I also made a minor update to the following kneeboard:
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
Updated the TOO bombing table for low drag bombs, e.g. start/release altitude, speed and mils (after more practice at slightly higher dive speed and higher release altitude).
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Update: 6/27/2024: I've made the following change and addition:
I've added a kneeboard for employing GBU-12s (or any LGB) with the Pave Spike targeting pod:
F-4E - GBU-12 PAVE SPIKE.png
Note that this uses temporary mappings for using WSO controls to slew/zoom the targeting pod and fire the laser, so this may change in the future.
I've updated the following kneeboard, removing reference to the lower/upper RF limits (which are not editable), and correcting a comment about how the missiles are released if all stations are selected/armed (i.e. left to right, not right to left).
F-4E - AGM-45.png
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Update: 6/23/2024: I've made the following changes:
I've added two new kneeboards - first is a two-page kneeboard for employing unguided bombs:
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-1.png
F-4E - UNGUIDED BOMBS-2.png
I've included a section for direct bomb delivery with abbreviated reticle depression tables, based on practicing/trial and error for LD dive-bombing and HD low level bombing with a string of bombs - YMMV.
Next is a kneeboard for employing the AGM-45 Shrike missile:
F-4E - AGM-45.png
This kneeboard includes a table showing RF guidance unit types that have worked for me against various SAMs, up to the SA-8; I have not had any success with the AGM-45 recognizing the SA-10 or SA-11, although the Mk-50 is supposed to sense those SAMs.
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Update: 6/11/2024: I've made the following changes:
I've made updates to two existing kneeboards, and added a kneeboard for employing unguided rockets and gun pods:
After spending more time practicing employing the AIM-7 and expanding some of its employment procedures, the following kneeboard:
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7.png
has been updated/replaced with the following two kneeboards:
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-1.png
F-4E - AIR-TO-AIR BVR ACM AIM-7-2.png
Please delete the first kneeboard listed above, if previously installed, and replace with the two new ones above.
Minor update to the following kneeboard, adding a note at the end stating that employing the GBU-8 is the same as the AGM-62
F-4E - AGM-62.png
Added the following kneeboard for unguided rockets and gun pod employment:
F-4E - UNGUIDED ROCKETS AND GUNS.png
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Update: 5/27/2024: I've added a kneeboard for employing the AGM-62 TV-guided Walleye:
F-4E - AGM-62.png
Similar to employing the TV-guided AGM-65A/B Mavericks, but with some subtle differences.