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For the game, see F-15 Strike Eagle (video game).
F-15E/I/S/K/SG Strike Eagle
USAF F-15Es of the 4th Operations Group in formation
Role Multirole fighter, strike fighter
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
First flight 11 December 1986
Introduction April 1988
Status Active
Primary users United States Air Force
Royal Saudi Air Force
Israeli Air Force
Republic of Korea Air Force
Produced 1985–
Number built 334+[1]
Developed from McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Variants Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle.

Development

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Genesis

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In the 1960s, the United States Air Force (USAF) sought a fighter to replace its F-4 Phantom IIs. The aircraft turned out to be the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle which, although can perform air-to-ground missions, were strictly used for air-superiority roles. In fact, the F-15 Special Project Office opposed the idea of an F-15 performing interdiction roles, giving rise to the phrase "Not a pound for air to ground."[2] The F-15 went on to become a successful fighter, with over 100 aerial combat victories but no losses in dogfights.[3][4]

The second TF-15A, designated 71-0291, used by McDonnell Douglas for demonstration purposes

Despite the lack of interest from the USAF, McDonnell Douglas quietly worked on an F-15-derived interdiction fighter. The company envisaged the aircraft as a replacement for the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark and the remaining F-4s, as well as to augment the existing F-15s.[5] In 1978, the USAF initiated the Tactical All-Weather Requirement Study (TAWRS) which looked at McDonnell Douglas's proposal and other options. After considering the purchase of further F-111Fs, the TAWRS group recommend that the USAF pick the F-15E as the service's future strike platform.[6] To further exploit the F-15E's secondary air-to-ground capabilities, McDonnell Douglas and Hughes in 1979 started collaborating on the two-seater.[7]

To assist in the design of the F-15E, McDonnell Douglas chose the second TF-15A prototype, serial number 71-0291, as the demonstrator. The aircraft, known as the Advanced Fighter Capability Demonstrator, first flew on 8 July 1980.[6] The aircraft was previously used to trial conformal fuel tanks (CFT), which were initially designed for the F-15 under the designation "FAST Pack", with FAST standing for "Fuel and Sensor, Tactical.[6] The aircraft was subsequently fitted with a Pave Tack laser designator pod to allow it to independently deliver guided bombs.[8] The aircraft was displayed at the 1980 Farnborough Airshow.[9]

Enhanced Tactical Fighter

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The F-16XL which competed with the F-15E for the USAF's Enhanced Tactical Fighter contract

In March 1981, the USAF announced the Enhanced Tactical Fighter (ETF) program to procure a replacement for the F-111 Aardvark. The program was later renamed the Dual-Role Fighter (DRF) competition. The concept envisioned an aircraft capable of launching deep interdiction missions without requiring additional support by fighter escort or jamming.[10] General Dynamics submitted the F-16XL, while McDonnell Douglas submitted the F-15E. The Panavia Tornado was also a candidate, but since the aircraft lacked a credible air-superiority capability, coupled with the fact that it is not American-made, it was not seriously considered.[9]

The DRF evaluation team, under the direction of Brigadier General Ronald W. Yates, ran from 1981 through 30 April 1983, during which the F-15E logged more than 200 flights, demonstrated take off weight of more than 75,000 pounds (34 t), and validated sixteen different weapons-carrying configurations.[11][12] McDonnell Douglas, to assist 71-0291 in the evaluation, added to the program other F-15s, designated 78-0468, 80-0055 and 81-0063. The single-engine F-16XL was a promising design which, with its radically-redesigned cranked-delta wing, lifted the F-16's performance enormously. In the event that they were chosen, the single- and two-seat versions would have been designated F-16E and F-16F, respectively.[12] However, on 24 February 1984, the USAF chose the F-15E as the replacement for its F-111s. Some of the key factors in the decision were the low development costs of the F-15E compared to the F-16XL (US$270 million versus US$470 million), the belief that the F-15E has future growth potential, and the security of the two engines.[11] The USAF was initially expected to procure 400 aircraft, but the figure was revised downwards to 392.[12]

Construction of the first three F-15Es started in July 1985. The first of these, 86-0183, made its maiden flight on 11 December 1986.[11] Piloted by Gary Jennings, the aircraft reached a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 and a height of 40,000 feet (12,000 m) during the 75-minute flight.[11] This aircraft had the full F-15E avionics suite and the redesigned front fuselage, but not the aft fuselage and the common engine bay.[11] The latter was featured on 86-0184, while 86-0185 incorporated all the changes of the F-15E from the F-15.[11] On 31 March 1987, the first officially-completed F-15E made its first flight.[13] The first production F-15E was delivered to the USAF in April 1988.[14]

Upgrade programs

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Stealthy Eagle

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Main article: Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle

The F-15SE Silent Eagle is a proposed upgrade of the F-15E by Boeing using stealth features, such as internal weapons carriage and radar-absorbent material.[15] Distinguishing features of this version are the conformal weapons bays (CWB) that replace the conformal fuel tanks (CFT) to hold weapons internally and the twin vertical tails canted outward 15 degrees to reduce radar cross section. Weapons storage takes the place of most of each CWB fuel capacity.[15]

The first production F-15E, s/n 86-0183, was modified to the F-15E1 configuration to serve as a Silent Eagle demonstrator. It first flew on 8 July 2010 with a left-side conformal weapons bay[16][17] and on 20 July 2010 launched an AMRAAM from the CWB.[18] The Silent Eagle is aimed at current F-15 users such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea.[15]

Design

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Overview

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The F-15E's deep strike mission is a radical departure from the original intent of the F-15, since the F-15 was designed as an air-superiority fighter under the mantra "Not a pound for air-to-ground."[2] The basic airframe, however, proved versatile enough to produce a very capable strike fighter. The F-15E, while designed for ground attack, retains the air-to-air lethality of the F-15, and thus can defend itself against enemy aircraft.[19]

The aircraft is powered only by the Pratt & Whitney F100, although the revised engine bay can also accommodate the General Electric F110.[20] Of the two P&W variants that power the F-15E, the F100-PW-220 was the original version, which can deliver 23,830 lb (106.0 kN) in afterburner. It was followed by the F100-PW-229 which can deliver 29,100 lb (129.45 kN) in afterburner.[20] The engines incorporate digital electronic engine control, allowing the F-15E to accelerate from idle power to maximum afterburner in less than four seconds.[14] The F-15E's maximum speed is Mach 2.5.[14]

Although the F-15E shares the same external appearance with the F-15, McDonnell Douglas had extensively redesigned the F-15E's structure so the aircraft can perform its air-to-ground missions. Approximately 60 percent of the aircraft was redesigned, enabling the aircraft to sustain 9-g while carrying a heavy bomb load.[20] The aircraft has an increased maximum takeoff weight of 81,000 lb (36,741 kg).[20] Due to the structural strengthening, the F-15E has a 16,000-hour fatigue life.[21] McDonnell Douglas redesigned the forward fuel tank, reducing fuel capacity by 51 US gallons (190 L) to 2,019 US gallons (7,640 L), housed in structural wing tanks and six fuselage tanks.[21] To off set this, the F-15E accommodates two conformal fuel tanks (CFT) which hug the fuselage and add 1,446 US gallons (5,474 L) of fuel to the internal capacity. While they cannot be jettisoned, the CFTs could be removed in 15 minutes.[6] To off set this, the F-15E accommodates two conformal fuel tank (CFT) which hug the fuselage and add 1,446 US gallons (5,474 L) of fuel to the internal capacity. These could be removed in 15 minutes, and cannot be jettisoned.[6] Another three 610 US gal (2,300 L) drop tanks can be carried, but for long-range missions, the aircraft is air-refuelable.[22]

Avionics and sensors

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An F-15E carrying an AAQ-13 navigation pod to the left and the AAQ-14 targeting pod to the right (top). The AAQ-13 gives the pilot an infrared view (bottom).

The F-15E relies on a number of avionic systems to perform its air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The two most important are the AN/APG-70 I-band radar and the LANTIRN. The radar is an improved development of the APG-63, extending range of detection of other aircraft.[23] However, the most significant addition of the AN/APG-70 is the synthetic aperture radar, which provides high-resolution almost-photographic imagery in all conditions.[9][21]

Meanwhile, the Martin Marietta LANTIRN (low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night) is crucial to the F-15E's primary mission as a strike aircraft. The LANTIRN was developed when the USAF wanted to equip its A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons for night mission to avoid the huge losses if these aircraft were to operate during the day.[24] By flying at night, the F-15E, which turned out to be the launch vehicle of the system, would only be susceptible to radar-guided weapons, which can be more easily countered though jamming and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses.[24]

The LANTIRN consists of the two cylindrical pods, the 430-pound (195 kg) AAQ-13 navigation pod and the 540-pound (245 kg) AAQ-14 targeting pod, located under each engine.[25] The AAQ-13 contains the Texas Instruments Ku-band terrain-following radar, which allows the pilot to fly at 100-foot (30.5 m) altitude, and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera which converts heat emission into an image that can be projected onto the head-up display.[25] The AAQ-14 contains another FLIR that can be used to identify terrain features at long range, and to designate targets for laser-guided bombs.[26] Each LANTIRN package costs approximately US$4 million.[25]

The F-15E is also supported by the tactical electronic warfare system (TEWS) which integrates all countermeasures on the F-15E: radar warning receivers (RWR), radar jammer, radar, and chaff/flare dispensers are all tied to the TEWS to provide comprehensive defense against detection and tracking.[27] This system includes an internally mounted ALQ-135 electronic countermeasure set. The role of the ALQ-135 is to actively and automatically jam surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and interceptor aircraft.[28]

Armament

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The F-15E Strike Eagle, as a strike aircraft, can carry a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance. From the F-15C air-superiority variant, it retains the internally mounted General Electric M61A1 20 mm cannon with 512 rounds, which is effective against enemy aircraft and "soft" ground targets. For self-defense, the aircraft usually carries AIM-9M Sidewinders and/or AIM-120 AMRAAMs.For air-to-ground missions, the F-15E can carry most weapons in the USAF inventory. It also can be armed with AIM-9 Sidewinders, AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-120 AMRAAMs for self-defense (though the Strike Eagle retains the counter-air capabilities from its Eagle lineage, it is rarely if ever used for counter-air missions).

Differences between versions

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Operational history

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United States Air Force

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The first production F-15E was delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base in April 1988, marking the start of the training process.[29] The aircraft received initial operating capability (IOC) on 30 September 1989 with the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.[29]

The F-15E's introduction into combat came after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. The 335th and 336th Tactical Fighter Squadrons were deployed to Seeb Air Base in Oman; these F-15Es subsequently relocated to Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, which was closer to Iraq.[30] The deployment came less than a year after the receipt of IOC, consequently, the F-15Es were initially cleared to fly only a limited amount of ordnance.[30] An F-15E, s/n 87-0203, was lost in a training flight during the deployment in Oman, resulting to the death of both crew members.[31]

Throughout the air war from mid-January to the ceasefire on 1 March 1991, F-15Es were engaged in a variety of roles. When the aerial attack started on 17 January, two flights of F-15Es, one numbered 21 aircraft and the other 24, were tasked with the destruction of Scud surface-to-surface missiles (SAM).[32] The aim of "SCUD hunting", as it would become know, was to prevent Iraq from firing such weapons against neighboring countries.[33] The F-15Es were also engaged in "tank plinking", or the destruction of tanks and armored personnel vehicles, and even the secret, but unsuccessful, role of searching for and killing of Saddam Hussein by destroying his potential hideouts.[32]

Apart from air-to-ground missions, F-15Es sought out and destroyed enemy aircraft. The first such kill occurred on 14 February, when a Mil Mi-24, while unloading Iraqi troops, was destroyed by a GBU-10. Prior to this, F-15Es destroyed at least 18 parked Iraqi jets at Tallil Air Base using air-to-ground weapons.[34] Conversely, the F-15E experienced two losses, the first one of which occurred on the night of 18 January. During a six-aircraft strike against industrial plants in Basra, described by F-15E crews as extremely difficult because the target was heavily defended, s/n 88-1689 was shot down with the lost of both crew members.[35] This was followed two nights later when F-15E, s/n 88-1692, was downed by an SA-2 SAM; the crew was captured by Iraqi troops.[36]

Royal Saudi Air Force

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Israeli Air Force

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Other operators

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Due to the F-15's combination of air-to-ground capability and air superiority, it has attracted the intention of a number of air forces. The third export customer for the type was South Korea.

Variants

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F-15E
Structural-strengthened F-15 used as a dual-role fighter instead of the single air-superiority mission of the F-15, at the same time maintaining the latter's air-to-air capabilities. It embodies different engines and improved avionics compared to the F-15. The USAF operated 222 F-15Es as of December 2010.[37]
F-15I
Designation of Israeli F-15Es, which are named Ra'am ("Thunder"). Has some different avionics to suit Israel's needs. The Israeli Air Force operated twenty-five as of December 2010.[37]
F-15S
F-15K
Designated F-15K Slam Eagle by its operator, the Republic of Korea Air Force. The F-15K incorporates significantly different avionics from the F-15E. The air force operated forty-six F-15Ks and had fifteen on order as of December 2010.[37]
F-15SG
Designation of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-15Es. F-15SGs differ from F-15Es mainly by having APG-63(V)3 radar. Singapore operated eighteen F-15SGs and had a further six of orders as of December 2011.[37]
F-15U
Proposed variant for the United Arab Emirates. The F-15U would have have more angular and larger wings.[38]

Operators

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 Israel
 South Korea
  • Republic of Korea Air Force has received 40 (including 1 lost in accident) of total 61 F-15K "Slam Eagle" on order as of October 2008.[39]
    • 11th Fighter Wing (제11전투비행단), based at Daegu
      • 102nd Fighter Squadron
      • 122nd Fighter Squadron
 Saudi Arabia
 Singapore
 United States

Specifications (F-15E)

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Data from USAF fact sheet,[14] Davies[46]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 63 ft 10 in (19.43 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)
  • Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.63 m)
  • Wing area: 608 sq ft (56.5 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA 64A006.6 root, NACA 64A203 tip
  • Empty weight: 31,700 lb (14,300 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 81,000 lb (36,700 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-229 afterburning turbofans, 29,000 lbf (130 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Ferry range: 2,400 mi (3,900 km, 2,100 nmi) with conformal fuel tank and three external fuel tanks
  • Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,200 m)

Armament

Avionics

References

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  1. ^ Per Davies 2002, number built for F-15E/I/S is 237, 25 and 72, respectively; total is 334. In addition several F-15Ks have been completed and delivered.
  2. ^ a b Davies and Dildy 2007, p. 35.
  3. ^ Davies and Dildy 2007, inside cover.
  4. ^ Spick 2000, p. 127.
  5. ^ Donald 1995, p. 40.
  6. ^ a b c d e Donald 1995, p. 42.
  7. ^ Davies 2003, pp. 15–16.
  8. ^ Jenkins 1997, p. 42.
  9. ^ a b c Donald 1995, p. 44.
  10. ^ Rininger 2009, p. 85, 88.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Jenkins 1998, p. 36.
  12. ^ a b c Donald 1995, p. 45.
  13. ^ Rininger 2009, p. 89.
  14. ^ a b c d "F-15E Strike Eagle fact sheet". United States Air Force. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  15. ^ a b c Butler, Amy. "Boeing Unveils New Stealthy F-15." Aviation Week, 17 March 2009. Retrieved: 2 September 2011.
  16. ^ Carder, Phillip and Mary Ann Brett. "Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Makes 1st Flight." Boeing, 9 July 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference FI_two_firsts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Carder, Phillip and Mary Ann Brett. "Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Completes 1st Weapon Launch." Boeing, 20 July 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
  19. ^ Jenkins 1998, pp. 35–36.
  20. ^ a b c d Donald 1995, p. 46.
  21. ^ a b c Jenkins 1998, p. 35.
  22. ^ Donald 1995, p. 47.
  23. ^ Donold 1995, p. 48.
  24. ^ a b Donald 1995, p. 49.
  25. ^ a b c Clancy 1995, p. 76.
  26. ^ Clancy 1995, p. 77.
  27. ^ Donald 1995, p. 56.
  28. ^ Jenkins 1998, p. 102.
  29. ^ a b Rininger 2009, p. 89.
  30. ^ a b Rininger 2009, p. 97.
  31. ^ Davies 2005, p. 11.
  32. ^ a b Rininger 2009, p. 98.
  33. ^ Davies 2005, p. 22.
  34. ^ http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1993/January%201993/0193bennett.aspx
  35. ^ Davies 2005, p. 24.
  36. ^ Davies 2005, p. 25.
  37. ^ a b c d "Directory: World Air Forces". Flight International, 14–20 December 2010. pp. 18, 24, 29.
  38. ^ Donald 1995, p. 75.
  39. ^ Duk-kun, Byun. "Air Force receives last shipment of F-15K fighter jet". Yonhap News. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  40. ^ Barrie, Douglas (10 September 2009). "U.S., Saudis Deal For Additional Eagles". Aviation Week. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  41. ^ "Royal Saudi Air Force". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  42. ^ "Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Inauguration of the F-15SG 149 Squadron". MINDEF press release. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 20 Apr. 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  43. ^ "Inauguration of the RSAF's First Local F-15SG Squadron". MINDEF press release. 5 Aprol 2010. Retrieved 20 Apr. 2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  44. ^ "Directory: World Air Forces". Flight International, 11–17 November 2008.
  45. ^ Air Force Historical Research Agency
  46. ^ Davies 2002, Appendix 1
  47. ^ Andreas, Parsch (20 November 2008). "AN/APG – Airborne Fire Control Radars". Designation-systems.net. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  48. ^ a b c Andreas, Parsch (9 October 2007). "AN/ALQ – Airborne Countermeasures Multipurpose/Special Equipment". Designation-systems.net. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  49. ^ Andreas, Parsch (9 October 2007). "AN/APX – Airborne Identification Radars". Designation-systems.net. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  50. ^ Andreas, Parsch (20 November 2008). "AN/ALR – Airborne Countermeasures Receivers". Designation-systems.net. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  51. ^ Andreas, Parsch (20 November 2008). "AN/ALE – Airborne Countermeasures Ejectors". Designation-systems.net. Retrieved 27 September 2010.

Bibliography

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  • Clancy, Tom (1995). Fighter Wing. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-255527-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Davies, Steve (2002). Combat Legend, F-15 Eagle and Strike Eagle. London: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-377-6.
  • Davies, Steve (2003.). Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, All-Weather Attack Aircraft. London: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-378-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Davies, Steve (2005). F-15E Strike Eagle Units In Combat 1990–2005. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841769096.
  • Davies, Steve; Dildy, Doug (2007). F-15 Eagle Engaged, The World's Most Successful Jet Fighter. Osprey Publishin. ISBN 978-1-84603-169-4.
  • Donald, David (1995). "F-15E Strike Eagle". World Airpower Journal. Vol. 21. AIRtime Publishing.
  • Jenkins, Dennis R (1998). McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Supreme Heavy-Weight Fighter. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-081-8.
  • Smallwood, William L. (1994). Strike Eagle – Flying the F-15E In The Gulf War. Brassey's.
  • Jenkins, Dennis R. (1997). McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Warbird Tech. Vol. 9. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press. ISBN 9780933424722.
  • Rininger, Tyson V (2009). F-15 Eagle at War. Minneapolis, US: Zenith Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-3350-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Spick, Mike, ed. (2000). The Great Book of Modern Warplanes. St. Paul Minnesota: Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-7603-0893-4.
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