After studying several replacement fighters the F-35A Lightning II was chosen in 2011. The 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron became the first JASDF F-35 Squadron at Misawa Air Base when it converted from the F-4EJ Kai on 29 March 2019. The JASDF’s sole aerial reconnaissance unit, the 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, retired their RF-4Es and RF-4EJs on 9 March 2020, and the unit itself dissolved on 26 March. Despite imposing dimensions and a maximum takeoff weight of over 60,000 lb , the F-4 has a top speed of Mach2.23 and an initial climb rate of over 41,000 ft/min (210 m/s). The F-4’s nine external hardpoints have a capability of up to 18,650 pounds of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and unguided, guided, and thermonuclear weapons. Like other interceptors of its day, the F-4 was designed without an internal cannon.
This enables you to fly without GPS stabilization, but it’s a feature that only seasoned pilots should tackle. DJI has continued to push the capabilities of its drones forward, announcing the Phantom 4 Pro ($1,499) and Pro+ ($1,799.00 at DJI) only months after dropping the superb Phantom 4 ($1,799.00 at DJI) on the world. The Pro has a 1-inch image sensor with four times the surface area of the Phantom 4’s camera. It captures 4K footage at up to 60fps, and shoots 20MP Raw and JPG photos. It’s also our Editors’ Choice, as the more expensive Pro+ configuration shows that an integrated tablet can have as many drawbacks as advantages. It’s the fastest Phantom so far, capable of reaching top speeds of 45 miles per hour.
I tested just as the Northeast was headed into spring, so I was flying around a lot of trees that were bare from winter. It had no trouble stopping itself before flying into a line of pine trees on an autonomous flight back to me. When navigating around sparse branches stripped clean of leaves, it didn’t immediately recognize them as an obstacle. Had the branches been thick with leaves, it might have stopped in its tracks as it had when I flew near trees in full bloom. The DJI phantom 4 is a very polished drone compared to its competition, and for those who’ve flown a quad before, you’ll have no trouble getting started with this one.
Negating the hassle of disassembling the Phantom for proper installation. This system is light weight, compact and easy to utilize, and with dji fly its minimalist layout. Additions like the Mayday board for auto parachute deployment makes completion of this system simple beyond belief.
This makes the a worthwhile upgrade over the Phantom 3 Professional, and an even better choice for photographers who need a sturdy piece of kit that will deliver great results. Much of that stability comes from the Phantom 4 expanded array of downward cameras and sonar sensors. The Phantom 4 has double the number of downward facing cameras compared to the Phantom 3. This comes in handy indoors, which is one place the Phantom 4 is nothing short of incredible.