Published March 14, 2005

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Mission

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.

Features

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 enemycontrolled 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 multimission 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 head-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 head-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.

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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

Background

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.

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 20mm 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 98 constant dollars);C/D models - $29.9 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)

Initial operating capability: September 1975

Inventory: Total force, 249

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PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES

An F-15 Eagle takes off from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, July 28. The F-15 is assigned to the 19th Fighter Squadron. The unit is a part of the 3rd Wing at

Elmendorf AFB and is one of three fighter squadrons there. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Laura Turner)

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM -- A row of F-15 Eagles, deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, for exercise Tandem Thrust 03, line up before takeoff

April 24. The exercise is a joint endeavor conducted in the Marianas Islands including forces from the U.S., Canada and Australia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Photo by

Airman 1st Class Abby M. Young)

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