F-15 Eagle ( Boeing )F-15 Eagle ( Boeing )
(Note: Links in italics are external links)
The F-15 is the front line air superiority fighter for the U.S. Air Force.
Its missions include air superiority, anti-satellite and tactical ground strike. It is
primarily a single seat fighter (F-15C) but a tandem seat model is in operation also.
With its APG-70 multi mode pulse-Doppler radar manufactured by Hughes it has a look/down-shoot/down capability and can track targets from a range of 100 miles.
In 1980, the E version was introduced as a dedicated all-weather strike aircraft with a new radar system and advanced specialized avionics for use in ground attack. The F-15E is the tandem seat model mentioned earlier (also the "B" model).
The F-15 E is powered by two Pratt and Whitney afterburning turbo fans (F100-PW-229) producing 60,000 lbs. of thrust. This gives the F-15 a max high altitude speed of Mach 2.54 (1,676 mph) and a sea level top speed of Mach 1.2. It has a combat radius of about 500 miles.
It is equipped with an M61-A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon manufactured by Martin Marietta (G.E.) with 512 rounds of ammunition and carries various air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons including the AIM-9 Sidewinder, as well as anti-satellite missiles. The F-15 E is also equipped with the LANTIRN night navigation attack pod system.
The F-15 is nearly identical in size to the F-14 Tomcat with a maximum takeoff weight of 81,000 lbs. The F-15 first flew on 27 July 1972 and became operational 14 November 1974. The first models were "A" models. The "C" models became operational in 1979 and the "E" models were delivered with minimal operational capability in 1989.
Boeing makes the F-15E at its plant in St. Louis, Mo. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produces the F-15J under license in Japan. Approximately 1,500 F-15s have been delivered worldwide to the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard and to the air forces of Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Sunset on the flight line
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 42 ft. 9 3/4 in.
Length: 63 ft. 9 in.
Height: 18 ft. 7 1/2 in.
Weight: 81,000 lbs. max.
Cost: $10,890,000
Armament
One 20mm M-61A1
Vulcan cannon, 4 AIM-7 Sparrow, and 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, plus 15,000 lbs.
mixed ordnance carried externally.
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PERFORMANCE
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100
turbofans of 25,000 lbs. thrust each. F-15Es are powered by twin Pratt & Whitney F100-P&W-229 engines,
generating 29,000 pounds of thrust each.
Maximum speed: Plus 1,600 mph.
Range: 3,450 miles with external fuel tanks.
Service Ceiling: 65,000 ft
Examples of this type may be
found at:
United States Air Force Museum
Langley A.F.B. Air Park
Hill AFB Museum
USAF History and Traditions Museum
Tyndall Air Park
USAF Armament Museum
Museum of Aviation
Edward J. Peterson Space Command Museum
USAF Academy
Kelly Field Heritage Museum
Holloman AFB
McChord Air Museum
Louisiana ANG - New Orleans
Massachusetts ANG - 102nd FW, Otis ANGB
Ohio ANG - 121st ARW, Rickenbacker ANGB
Pima Air & Space Museum
