Why Is The F-35 Lightning Slower Than The 64-Year-Old F-4 Phantom?

The F-4 Phantom is among the most iconic and loved Cold War American fighter jets. The legendary aircraft is still in use in some air forces around the world (e.g., Turkey and Iran), but it has been retired from US service since 1996. It may be a surprise that this old Vietnam War fighter jet is significantly faster than the advanced fifth-generation F-35.