Power was provided by a 7,700 lb (3.493 kg) st Wright J65-W-16A turbojet, four wing stations were provided for external stores and all stations were capable of carrying the Sidewinder AAM to supplement the four-cannon built-in armament.
The first of two NA-208 FJ-4 prototypes (BuNos. 139279, 139280) flew on October 28, 1954, these being followed by 150 NA-209 series aircraft (BuNos. 139281 to 139323, 139424 to 139530), all being accepted by the USN by March 1957. Previously, on December 4, 1956, an attack fighter version, the FJ-4B, had flown, this having a stiffer wing with six stores stations and the ability to carry five Bullpup air-to-surface missiles and a guidance pod.
The USN ordered 222 FJ-4Bs: 71 NA-209 FJ-4Bs (BuNos. 139531 to 139555, 141444 to 141489), and 151 NA-244 FJ-4Bs (BuNos. 143493 to 143643), and all were delivered by May 1958. A further batch of 33 FJ-4Bs (BuNos. 143644 to 143676) were cancelled. In 1962 the FJ-4 and FJ-4B were redesignated F-1E and AF-1E respectively.
Designated FJ-4F, two FJ-4s (2nd and 4th series aircraft) were fitted experimentally with respectively monopropellant (as NA-234), bipropellant (as NA-248), and variable thrust (as NA-251) auxiliary rocket motors. 143568 is preserved at Willow Grove with the USN/USMC Reserve code "27/7W" applied. Data below relate to the FJ-4."
Span: 39 ft 1 in (11.91 m)
Length: 36 ft 4 in (11.07 m)
Height: 13 ft 11 in (4.24m)
Wing area: 338.66 sq.ft (31.46 sq.m)
Weight empty: 13,210 lb (5,992 kg)
Loaded weight: 20,130 lb (9,131 kg)
Max speed: 680 mph (1,094 kmh) at sea level
Service ceiling: 9,843 ft (3,000 m)
Range: 1,485 mls (2,390 km)