IMMATURE MISSILES

摘要

The phrase "immature technology" refers to committing a new idea to production before it is ready. In the Vietnam ground war, it meant the M16 rifle. In the air war, it applied to the missiles on Phantoms and other jets. Because the original F-4's mission was fleet defense, it was not expected to engage in churning, turning dogfights. That's what F-8 Crusaders were for. Thus, the Phantom's primary armament was the AIM-7 Sparrow, a "beam-riding" radar missile with the range and warhead to destroy Soviet bombers threatening a carrier task force. The standard loadout was four Sparrows and four short-ranged AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seekers.