Kurnass

This page is about the jet fighter Kurnass. For other versions, see F-4 Phantom II (Family).

Kurnass

Ayit

Kurnass 2000

Kurnass

Ayit

Kurnass 2000

Israel

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.3	11.3	10.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:350 000

Purchase:950 000

Show in game

Description

The F-4E Kurnass is a rank VII Israeli jet fighter with a battle rating of 11.3 (AB/RB) and 10.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update "Winged Lions".

This aircraft is almost identical to the American F-4E Phantom II with little changes like Israeli weapons.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear

Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 12 192 m2 140 km/h

Turn time26 s

Max altitude16 000 m

Engine2 х General Electric J79-GE-17

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight24 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 1292m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,097	2,074	16000	26.5	27.5	160.8	151.2	850
Upgraded	2,202	2,140		25.5	26.0	221.6	190.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1458	463	607	584	463	~11	~4

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 810	< 750	< 700	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
General Electric J79-GE-17		2	14,205 kg		408 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel
1,750 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		15,964kg	18,027 kg	20,069 kg	24,000 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	5,200 kgf	8,010 kgf	1.00	0.89	0.80	0.67
Optimal	5,200 kgf (0 km/h)	10,170 kgf (1,400 km/h)	1.27	1.13	1.01	0.85

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew2 people

Speed of destruction

Structural1 458 km/h

Gear463 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 994 → 4 044

RB8 833 → 11 933

SB9 129 → 12 333

Total cost of modifications294 000

456 000

Talisman cost3 000

Crew training270 000

Experts950 000

Aces3 200

Research Aces1 210 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 320 / 600 %

244 / 244 / 244 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 New boosters Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Wings repair Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Engine Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 630	Fuselage repair Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 Airframe Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 G-suit Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Cover Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 630	AIM-9D Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 M60_belt_pack Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 M117 Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 Flares/Chaff Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 AIM-9G Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 M60_new_gun Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Mk83 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 LAU-3/A Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 AIM-7E Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Gun pod SUU-23/A. Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Mk84 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 LAU-10/A Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 AIM-7E-2 Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 630 AGM-62A Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 630 GBU-8 Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 630 40px AGM-65B Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 630

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The Kurnass is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, chin-mounted (640 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon (640 rpg) + 90 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The Kurnass can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 3 x 20 mm M61 cannons (1,200 rpg = 3,600 total)
• 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 16 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 11 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (11,000 lb total)
• 3 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (6,000 lb total)
• 285 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 60 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
• 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
• 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (9,000 lb total)
• 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (9,000 lb total)
• 10 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (7,500 lb total)
• 10 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (7,500 lb total)
• 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (7,000 lb total)
• 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (7,000 lb total)
• 3 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (6,000 lb total)
• 3 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (6,000 lb total)
• 171 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 171 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
• 36 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 36 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon (1,200 rpg)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 16 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 11 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (11,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (9,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (9,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 10 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (7,500 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 10 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (7,500 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (7,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles + 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (7,000 lb total)
• 4 x AGM-65B missiles
• 2 x AGM-65B missiles + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x AGM-65B missiles + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs (2,020 kg total)
• 4 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (2,020 kg total)
• 4 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (2,020 kg total)
• 4 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles (2,020 kg total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 4 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs (2,020 kg total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon (1,200 rpg)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 16 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 11 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (11,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (9,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 18 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (9,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 10 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (7,500 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 10 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (7,500 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (7,000 lb total)
• 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles + 7 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (7,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2,000 lb GBU-15(V)1/B bombs (4,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2,000 lb GBU-15(V)1/B bombs + 2 x AIM-9E Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2,000 lb GBU-15(V)1/B bombs + 2 x AIM-9P Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2,000 lb GBU-15(V)1/B bombs + 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow missiles (4,000 lb total)
• 2 x 2,000 lb GBU-15(V)1/B bombs + 4 x AIM-7E-2 Sparrow missiles (4,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Vast variety of air and ground ordnance
• High top speed
• RWR and countermeasures
• Can carry up to 8 AAMs
• 20 mm M61 cannon has long firing range, and high rate of fire
• Good acceleration

Cons:

• Relatively large aircraft, easy to hit
• Carrying heavy payload greatly reduces the flight performance
• 20 mm ammo can be depleted in just a few bursts
• Wings can be ripped off quite easily at high speed manoeuvres
• Lacking all-aspect IR missiles
• No look-down radar

History

Israel was a prominent user of the F-4 Phantom II, having acquired its Phantoms starting in 1968. At first, the USA was unwilling to offer Israel the F-4, but developments in 1967-1968 led the USA to reconsider its position. Notably, a French embargo of Israeli aircraft and the defection of a Soviet MiG-21 convinced the USA to sell its F-4Es to Israel. The first of these aircraft arrived in January of 1968, nicknamed Kurnass (Heavy Hammer) in service.

Israeli Phantoms saw their first combat action in the War of Attrition (1967-1970) against Egypt, where they were used against Egyptian ground and air targets. During this time, more Phantoms continued to be delivered including six RF-4E reconnaissance Phantoms. During the Yom Kippur war, Israeli Phantoms were once again used against air and ground targets. This conflict also marked the debut of the AGM-65 Maverick in Israeli service shortly after the missile entered service with the USAF.

In total, Israeli Phantoms scored ~116 aerial kills against Arab aircraft between 1969-1982 compared to ~55 combat losses (total number disputed). The last Phantom was delivered in 1976, with a total of 204 aircraft delivered, including some as replacements for aircraft lost during the Yom Kippur war. In the last decades of the 20th century, the Phantom was complemented with newer aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16; the last Israeli Phantom was retired in 2004.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

References

• Aloni, S. (n.d.). Israeli Kurnass Aces – Part 1. F4Phantom.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021, from http://www.f4phantom.com/SmokeTrails/ST1503_1.pdf
• Jewish Virtual Library. (1998). IAF Aircraft Inventory. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. Retrieved December 22, 2021, from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/mcdonnell-douglas-f-4-phantom-ii

McDonnell Aircraft Corporation
Jet Fighters	F2H-2 · F3H-2
	F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-4J Phantom II · F-4S Phantom II
	F-15A · F-15C MSIP II · F-15E
Strike Aircraft	AV-8B Plus · AV-8B (NA)
Helicopters	AH-6M
Export/Licensed
Aircraft	◄F-4F Early · ◄F-4F · ◄F-4F KWS LV · Phantom FG.1 · Phantom FGR.2 · F-4J(UK) Phantom II · F-4EJ Phantom II · F-4EJ ADTW · Kurnass · Kurnass 2000
	F-15J · F-15J(M) · Baz · Baz Meshupar · F-15I Ra’am
	▄AV-8B Plus
Helicopters	Lahatut
	The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation merged with Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Later it was merged with The Boeing Company in 1997.
See Also	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Israel jet aircraft
	Kfir Canard · Kfir C.2 · Kfir C.7 · Nesher
Britain
Meteor	Meteor NF.13 · Meteor F.8
France
Vautour	Vautour IIA · Vautour IIN
Super Mystere	Sambad · Sa'ar
Mirage III	Shahak
Other	M.D.450B Ouragan · Mystere IVA
USA
F-84	F-84F
A-4	A-4H · A-4E Early (M) · A-4E · Ayit
F-4	Kurnass · Kurnass 2000
F-15	Baz · Baz Meshupar · F-15I Ra’am
F-16	Netz · F-16C Barak II · F-16D Barak II