Warplanes of the USA: McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael Ammons)

First Lt. Charles Schuck firing an AIM-7 Sparrow medium range air-to-air missile from a McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle while supporting a Combat Archer air-to-air weapons system evaluation program mission, 2 March 2006.

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). Following reviews of proposals, the United States Air Force (USAF) selected McDonnell Douglas's design in 1969 to meet the service's need for a dedicated air superiority fighter. The Eagle took its maiden flight in July 1972, and entered service in 1976. It is among the most successful modern fighters, with over 100 victories and no losses in aerial combat, with the majority of the kills by the Israeli Air Force.

The Eagle has been exported to many countries, including Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Although the F-15 was originally envisioned as a pure air superiority fighter, its design included a secondary ground-attack capability that was largely unused. It proved flexible enough that an improved all-weather strike derivative, the F-15E Strike Eagle, was later developed, entered service in 1989 and has been exported to several nations. Several additional Eagle and Strike Eagle subvariants have been produced for foreign customers.

The USAF had planned to replace all of its air superiority F-15s with the F-22 Raptor by the 2010s, but the severely reduced F-22 procurement forced the service to operate some F-15C/Ds until 2026 and replace them with newly built F-15EX Eagle II in order to retain an adequate number of air superiority fighters. The F-15E Strike Eagle is expected to continue operating in the USAF into the 2030s. The F-15 is in service with numerous countries, with production of enhanced variants ongoing. (Wikipedia)

(USAF Photo)

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing-loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.A multi-mission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, "identification friend or foe" system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.

The pilot's head-up display projects on the windscreen all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.The F-15's versatile pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.A variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. An automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the heads-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the heads-up display.The Eagle can be armed with combinations of different air-to-air weapons: AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder or AIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings and an internal 20mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.The F-15E is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system.For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution APG-70 radar and low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods. (USAF)

The first F-15A flight was made in July 1972, and the first flight of the two-seat F-15B (formerly TF-15A) trainer was made in July 1973. The first Eagle (F-15B) was delivered in November 1974. In January 1976, the first Eagle destined for a combat squadron was delivered.The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory beginning in 1979. These new models have Production Eagle Package (PEP 2000) improvements, including 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) of additional internal fuel, provision for carrying exterior conformal fuel tanks and increased maximum takeoff weight of up to 68,000 pounds (30,600 kilograms).The F-15 Multistage Improvement Program was initiated in February 1983, with the first production MSIP F-15C produced in 1985. Improvements included an upgraded central computer; a Programmable Armament Control Set allowing for advanced versions of the AIM-7, AIM-9 and AIM-120A missiles, and an expanded Tactical Electronic Warfare System that provides improvements to the ALR-56C radar warning receiver and ALQ-135 countermeasure set. The final 43 included a Hughes APG-70 radar. F-15C, D and E models were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm where they proved their superior combat capability. F-15C fighters accounted for 34 of the 37 Air Force air-to-air victories. F-15E's were operated mainly at night, hunting SCUD missile launchers and artillery sites using the LANTIRN system.They have since been deployed for air expeditionary force deployments and operations Southern Watch (no-fly zone in Southern Iraq), Provide Comfort in Turkey, Allied Force in Bosnia, Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. (USAF)

(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Seefeldt)

An F-15C Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron flies during a routine training exercise April 15, 2019, out of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.

General Characteristics‍

‍Primary function: Tactical fighter. Contractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp. Power plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100, 220 or 229 turbofan engines with afterburners. Thrust: (C/D models) 23,450 pounds each engine. Wingspan: 42.8 feet (13 meters). Length: 63.8 feet (19.44 meters). Height: 18.5 feet (5.6 meters). Weight: 31,700 pounds. Maximum takeoff weight: (C/D models) 68,000 pounds (30,844 kilograms). Fuel  Capacity: 36,200 pounds (three external plus conformal fuel tanks). Payload: depends on mission. Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2 class). Ceiling: 65,000 feet (19,812 meters). Range: 3,450 miles (3,000 nautical miles) ferry range with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks. Crew: F-15A/C, one; F-15B/D/E, two. Armament: One internally mounted M-61A1 20-mm, six-barrel cannon with 940 rounds of ammunition; four AIM-9 Sidewinder and four AIM-120 AMRAAMs or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs, carried externally. Unit Cost: A/B models - $27.9 million (fiscal year 98 constant dollars); C/D models - $29.9 million (fiscal year 98 constant dollars). Initial operating capability: September 1975. Inventory: Total force, 249. (USAF)

The USAF began deploying F-15C, D, and E model aircraft to the Persian Gulf region in August 1990 for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During the Gulf War, the F-15 accounted for 36 of the 39 air-to-air victories by the U.S. Air Force against Iraqi forces. Iraq has confirmed the loss of 23 of its aircraft in air-to-air combat.[72] The F-15C and D fighters were used in the air-superiority role, while F-15E Strike Eagles were used in air-to-ground attacks mainly at night, hunting modified Scud missile launchers and artillery sites using the LANTIRN system.[73] According to the USAF, its F-15Cs had 34 confirmed kills of Iraqi aircraft during the 1991 Gulf War, most of them by missile fire: five Mikoyan MiG-29s, two MiG-25s, eight MiG-23s, two MiG-21s, two Sukhoi Su-25s, four Sukhoi Su-22s, one Sukhoi Su-7, six Dassault Mirage F1s, one Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft, one Pilatus PC-9 trainer, and two Mil Mi-8 helicopters. According to NHHC, F-15s may have also shot down a friendly F-14 Tomcat.[74] In addition, the F-15E achieved its first-ever air-to-air kill on 14 February 1991, destroying an Iraqi Mi-24 "Hind" helicopter with a GBU-10 laser-guided bomb.[75] Air superiority was achieved in the first three days of the conflict; many of the later kills were reportedly of Iraqi aircraft fleeing to Iran, rather than engaging American aircraft. Two F-15Es were lost to ground fire, and another was damaged on the ground by a Scud strike on King Abdulaziz Air Base. (Wikipedia)

(Master Sgt. Roy Santana, US Air Force Photo)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle flies in the Owens MOA, California. The aircraft is assigned to the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno, California, 7 Nov 2013.

(Staff Sgt. Joe McFadden, USAF Photo)

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle, 194th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard.

(Adrian Pingstone Photo)

USAFE McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle (code LN/91-335) arrives for the 2014 Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England. LN means Lakenheath (in England), 91 is the year the aircraft was ordered, and 335 is the last three digits of the serial.

(Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers, USAF Photo)

Capt. Matt Bruckner, an F-15 Eagle pilot assigned to the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing, at Langley Air Force Base, Va., flies a combat air patrol mission 7 October 2007 over Washington, D.C., in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The aircraft is a McDonnell Douglas F-15C-35-MC Eagle (s/n 83-0026).

(SRA D. Myles Cullen, USAF Photo)

F-15D Eagle, 90th Fighter Squadron (FS) performs a 90-degree right wing over maneuver during a simulated air-air combat exercise conducted in support of Exercise NORTHERN EDGE 2002. The AIRCRAFT is armed with two AIM-120 Advance Medium Range Air-TO-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), one AIM-9 Sidewinder Missiles and one SN/1387 Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP), 30 April 2002.

(Master Sgt. Roy Santana, USAF Photos)

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle (Serial No. 84-0014), 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard, Fresno.

(TSGT Michael Ammons, USAF Photo)

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, United Kingdom, releases a GBU-28 "Bunker Buster" 5,000-pound Laser-Guided Bomb over the Utah Test and Training Range during a weapons evaluation test hosted by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron (FWS) from Eglin AFB, Florida, 5 Aug 2003.

(Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown, U.S. Air Force Photo)

A Tyndall F-15C takes off from here for Cooperative Cope Thunder. Six F-15Cs and 81 service members deployed here from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, to participate in Cope Thunder, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored air combat training exercise, at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, 19 June 2003.

(Staff Sgt. William Greer, U.S. Air Force Photo)

A 494th Fighter Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle takes to the sky en route to a deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, 14 July 2003.

(Master Sgt. Thomas Meneguin, U.S. Air Force Photo)

An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

(USAF Photo)

McDonnell Douglas F-15E-49/50-MC Strike Eagles 90–0235, 90–0243, 90-0233 (391st Fighter Squadron Flagship), 90–0253, 90–0236 & 90–0250 of the 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Operations Group at Mt. Home AFB.

Preserved McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters

Although the F-15 continues to be in use, anumber of older USAF and IAF models have been retired, with several placed onoutdoor display or in museums.

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United States
F-15A

(Camp7Chris Photo)
• 71-0280 – 37th Training Wing HQ Parade Ground, Kelly Field (formerly Kelly AFB), San Antonio, Texas. EG, C/N 1/A001.  First Eagle built, painted as (Serial No. 85-0114), 33rd TFW.

(Author Photo)
• 71-0281 – Tactical Air Command Memorial Park, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Hampton, Virginia.

( Richard Lockett Photo)
• 71-0283 – Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.

(Glenn Chatfield Photo)
• 71-0285 – Boeing Avionic Antenna Laboratory, St. Charles, Missouri.

(Dave Murray Photo)
• 71-0286 – A GF-15A; Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, in storage. Previously on display at Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, Rantoul, Illinois.

(USAF Photo)
• 72-0119 "Streak Eagle" –C/N 19/A017. At the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.

(Dsdugan Photo)
• 73-0085 – Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia.

(Author Photos)
• 73-0086 – JZ, C/N 24/A020. Louisiana Military Museum, Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana.

(John Bennett Photo)
• 73-0099 – Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia.

(Author Photos)
• 74-0081 – Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

(Rickmouser45 Photo)
• 74-0084 – C/N 56/A045, AK, Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, Anchorage, Alaska.

(USAF Photo)
• 74-0095 – C/N 68/A056, TY, Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Florida. This aircraft was flipped and severely damaged by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

(USAF Photo)
• 74-0114 – Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

(USAF Photo)
• 74-0117 – Langley AFB, Virginia.

(aeroprints.com Photo)
• 74-0118 – Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona.

(Alan Wilson Photo)
• 74-0119 – Castle Air Museum, Atwater, California.

(Glenn Chatfield Photo)
• 74-0124 – C/N 100/A085, "Gulf Spirit", OT, Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida.

(Daniel L. Berek Photo)
• 75-0026 – National Warplane Museum, Elmira Corning Regional Airport, New York. Painted as (Serial No. 83-0033), FF, C/N 123/A106, “Spirit of the Virginia Peninsula”.

(kb7ywl Photo)
• 75-0033 – Eglin Parkway entrance to 33d Fighter Wing complex, Eglin AFB, Florida.

(Tech. Sgt. Regina Young, Georgia Air National Guard Photo)

(C. Mark Sublette Photo)

• 75-0043), Georgia Air National Guard. being moved onto a concrete pad in front of the Warner Robins City Hall.

(Adrian Brooks Photo)
• 75-0045 – USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile, Alabama. Painted as (Serial No. 77-9078).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)
• 76-0008 – C/N 86/A160, ST, March Field Air Museum at March ARB, Riverside, California.
• 76-0009 – Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

(Air Heritage Museum Photo)
• 76-0012 – Air Heritage Aviation Museum, Beaver County Airport, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

(Greg Goebel Photo)
• 76-0014 – Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, Oregon. C/N 193/A166, mounted on a pylon at McMinnville Municipal Airport.

(Author Photo)
• 76-0018 – CN 197/A170. Hickam Field, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii.

(Author Photos)
• 76-0024 – Peterson Air and Space Museum, Peterson AFB, Colorado.

(ksr8s Photo)
• 76-0027 – National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.

(Louis DePaemelaere Photos)
• 76-0037 – Holloman AFB, New Mexico.
• 76-0040 – Otis ANGB, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Author Photos)
• 76-0042 - United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. C/N 224, A194, below the Chapel.

(Articseahorse Photo)
• 76-0048 – McChord Air Museum, McChord AFB, Washington.

(Carlos Aleman Photo)
• 76-0057 - Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. Aircraft previously bore"Vegas Strong" paint scheme to honor victims of 1 Oct 2017 shooting.

(Tony Hisgett Photo)
• 76-0063 – Pacific Aviation Museum, Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. C/N 0249/A215.  Hangar 79.
• 76-0066 – Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon.
• 76-0067 – Dyess Air Force Base, Linear Air Park display area on base.
• 76-0076 - DeBary, Florida. Marked as 33rd Fighter Wing F-15C (Serial No. 85–0125) – roadside park.
• 76-0080 – Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida.
• 76-0088 – 131st Bomb Wing Heritage Park, Whiteman AFB, Missouri.
• 76-0108 – Lackland AFB/Kelly Field Annex, Texas.
• 76-0110 – gate guard, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. C/N 314/A262, painted as F-15C (Serial No. 86-0177), mounted on concrete pylon.

(walkingwildly Photo)

(Martin McGuire Photo)
• 77-0068 – Arnold AFB, Manchester, Tennessee. ET, C/N 342/A280.  Main Gate.
• 77-0084 – 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
• 77-0090 – Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Utah.
• 77-0102 – Pacific Coast Air Museum, Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, California. “First Responder”.. One of two Massachusetts Air National Guard 102nd Fighter Wing aircraft scrambled in first response to terrorist air attacks on 11 September 2001.
• 77-0146 – Veterans Park, Callaway, Florida.

(Alan Wilson Photos)
• 77-0150 – Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California.

‍
F-15B

(Skytamer.com, John Shupek Photo)

(kb7ywl Photo)
• 73-0108 – Luke AFB, Arizona.
• 73-0114 – Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, Edwards AFB, California. C/N 41/B009, ED.

(Martin McGuire Photo)
• 75-0084 – Russell Military Museum, Russell, Illinois. ET, C/N 143/B020.

(kb7ywl Photo)
• 77-0154 - Sheppard Air Force Base, Witchita Falls, Texas.
• 77-0159 - Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.

(Adrian Brooks Photo)

(David Poppa Younts Sr. Photo)
• 77-0161 – Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, North Carolina. SJ, C/N 394/B-52, painted as an F-15E, "Spirit of Goldsboro", mounted on a pylon.

‍
F-15C
• 79-0022 – Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo, Colorado. Creditedwith a MiG-23 kill during Operation Desert Storm while flown by Donald Watros. It is painted in the colors of the 22nd Fighter Squadron deployed from BitburgAB, Germany, to Incirlik AB, Turkey.
• 79-0078 – Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia. Currently stored at the museum, it is awaiting restoration and display. Credited with two MiG-21 kills during Operation Desert Storm while flown by Thomas Dietz, when he was on deployment with 53rd Fighter Squadron to Al Kharj AB, Saudi Arabia from Bitburg AB, Germany.
• 80-0014 – Chico Air Museum, Chico, California; transported from Langley AFB, Virginia.
• 85-0101 - New England Air Museum, Connecticut; This aircraft, flown by Capt Rick ‘Kluso’ Tollini scored one MiG-25 kill during Operation Desert Storm on 19 Jan 1991.
• 86-0156 - National Museum of the United States Air Force - On display in theCold War Gallery. This aircraft scored two MiG-29 kills of the Yugoslavia AirForce during Operation Allied Force flown by Captain Jeff "Claw"Hwang of the 493rd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, UK.
‍

Germany
F-15A
• 74-0085 – Spangdahlem AB.
• 74-0109 – Auto Technik Museum, Speyer.
‍

Netherlands
F-15A
• 74-0083 (marked as 77–0132) – Nationaal Militair Museum, Kamp Zeist, formerCamp New Amsterdam AB. Aircraft was based at Camp New Amsterdam and left as agift when the base was closed in 1995.
‍

Japan

(Angelique Perez, U.S. Air Force Photo)

Two Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15's fly alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135 from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, during air refueling training 30 July 2009.
F-15A
• 74-0088 – Kadena AB.
‍

Israel

(TSGT Kevin J. Gruenwald, USAF Photo)

Israeli Defense Force-Air Force F-15I Ra'am aircraft, 12 Feb 2018.

The first kill by an F-15 was scored by Israeli Air Force (IAF) ace Moshe Melnik in 1979. During IAF raids against Palestinian factions in Lebanon in 1979–1981, F-15As reportedly downed 13 Syrian MiG-21s and two Syrian MiG-25s. Israeli F-15As and Bs participated as escorts in Operation Opera, an air strike on an Iraqi nuclear reactor. In the 1982 Lebanon War, Israeli F-15s were credited with 41 Syrian aircraft destroyed (23 MiG-21s and 17 MiG-23s, and one Aérospatiale SA.342L Gazelle helicopter). During Operation Mole Cricket 19, Israeli F-15s and F-16s together shot down 82 Syrian fighters (MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-23Ms) without losses. (Wikipedia)

‍
F-15A

(Bukvoed Photo)
• 73-0098 – Israeli Air Museum, Hatzerim.
• 73-0107 – gate guard at Tel Nof AB.
‍

Saudi Arabia

(Tech Sgt H. H. Deffner, DoD DF-ST-92-07383, Defense Visual Information Center Photo)

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 1700th Air Refueling Squadron Provisional for refueling during Operation Desert Shield. Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C pilots reportedly shot down two Iranian Air Force F-4E Phantom IIs in a skirmish on 5 June 1984. (Wikipedia)
F-15B
• 71-0291 - painted in false Saudi markings as '1315' at Royal Saudi Air Force Museum.
‍

United Kingdom
F-15A
• 74-0131 – Wings of Liberty Memorial Park, RAF Lakenheath.
• 76-0020 – American Air Museum, Duxford.

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