Two RF-4C Phantom II

RF-4C
All-weather tactical reconnaissance version for the US Air Force, AN/APQ-99 (later AN/APQ-172) radar. Equipped similar to RF-4B but with a wider choice of camera fits, including the gigantic HIAC-1 LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) camera capable of high-resolution images of objects 100 miles (160 km) away in a centerline pod. Many aircraft were refitted with a more spacious bulging streamlined nose. A sub-variant, to be designated RF-4C(H) was proposed as a night "hunter" aircraft using infrared equipment instead of cameras under Operation Shed Light. In the end none were converted. While usually unarmed, RF-4Cs retained the ability to carry a nuclear weapon on the centerline pylon. Modernized RF-4Cs extensively participated in the Desert Storm war; 503 built.