Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle

The History of the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle, produced by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing), represented the pinnacle of American air superiority. It replaced the aging F-4 Phantom II and became a highly maneuverable and versatile multi-role fighter with an impressive combat record, boasting 100 kills at one point. Introduced in 1976, the F-15 quickly proved its capabilities as a world-class combat platform, excelling in air-to-air engagements. It featured single-seat (F-15A and F-15C) and two-seat (F-15B and F-15D) variants.

Over time, the F-15 evolved into different versions, including a two-seat trainer, a strike platform, and the upgraded two-seat attack variant known as the Strike Eagle. Its cockpit incorporated modern digital avionics and displays, allowing pilots to manage the aircraft efficiently. The F-15 boasted powerful engines capable of speeds exceeding 1,600 mph.

The F-15's standard armament included a 20mm Gatling cannon, air-to-air missiles, and a variety of munitions for ground attacks. It was made available to select international customers, such as Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, due to U.S. export restrictions. While the introduction of the F-22 Raptor signaled the F-15's eventual retirement, it continued to serve on the front lines until the transition to newer aircraft.

Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle Specification

BASICS

Year: 1976

Status: Active, In-Service

Crew: 1 or 2

Manufacturing: 1,500 Units - McDonnell Douglas / Boeing - USA / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) - Japan

Roles: Fighter; Interception; Ground Attack

DIMENSIONS

Length: 63. 78 ft (19. 44 m)

Width/Span: 42.78 ft (13.04 m)

Height: 18.50 ft (5.64 m)

WEIGHTS

Empty Weight: 27,000 lb (12,247 kg)

MTOW: 56,002 lb (25,402 kg) (Diff: +29,002lb)

POWER

2 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 afterburning turbofan engines developing 25,000 lb of thrust each.

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Speed: 1,875 mph (3,017 kph; 1,629 kts)

Service Ceiling: 65,010 feet (19,815 m; 12. 31 miles)

Maximum Range: 2,402 miles (3,865 km; 2,087 nm)

Rate-of-Climb: 50,000 ft/min (15,240 m/min)

ARMAMENT

Standart:

1 x 20mm M61A1 internal rotary automatic cannon.

Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:

2 x AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missiles.

4 x AIM-7 "Sparrow" air-to-air missiles.

2 x AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

GBU-10 Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs).

GBU-12 Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs).

GBU-24 Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs).

GBU-15 Electro-Optically Guided Bombs.

AGM-130 Powered Bombs.

GBU-31 JDAMs.

GBU-32 JDAMs.

JSOW Conventional Bombs.

Cluster Bombs.

B51 Nuclear Bombs.

B61 Nuclear Bombs.

AGM-88 "HARM" anti-radiation missiles.

AGM-65 "Maverick" air-to-surface missiles.

Up to 16,000 lb of externally-held ordnance.

VARIANTS

YF-15A - prototype model

F-15A - single-seat all-weather air superiority variant; 384 examples.

F-15B (TF-15A) - two-seat training variant; 61 examples.

F-15C - single-seat all-weather air superiority model (upgraded) with F100-P-220 23,450 lb thrust engines; continuously updated systems; improved radar system APG-70; 483 examples.

F-15D Two-seater trainer with F100-P-220 23,450 lb engine; continuously updated systems; improved AGP-70 radar system; 92 examples.

F-15E Strike Eagle - Ground attack variant; reinforced airframe; maintains air-to-air capability.

TF-15A - Original designation for the two-seat F-15B model.

F-15J - Licensed production Japanese single-seat model based on the F-15C; 141 copies (2 built in Missouri).

F-15J "Japanese Super Interceptor" - Modernization program covers 98 F-15J fighters.

F-15DJ - Licensed production Japanese two-seater model based on the F-15D; 37 examples (12 from Missouri).

F-15I "Ra'am" (Thunder) - Israeli export model, American made.

F-15K "Slam Eagle" - F-15 model of the Republic of Korea Air Force.

F-15SG - F-15 variant of the RSAF

F-15N "Seahawk" - Naval variant proposed to the US Navy as a competitor to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat Fleet Defender.

F-15N-PHX - Naval variant proposed to the US Navy in support of the AIM-54 "Phoenix" AAM to challenge Grumman's F-14.

F-15QA - Qatar Air Force export model.

F-15X "Advanced Eagle" - Proposed, modernized single-seat USAF form to succeed aging fleet of F-15C/D fighters.

F-15EX - Advanced form proposed for the USAF and based in the F-15QA serving Qatar.