Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15E Strike Eagle

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

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role version of the very successful basic F-15 air superiority fighter. The Strike Eagle is designed to perform both air-to-air superiority and ground-attack roles, and thanks to a number of improved internal systems, it can operate in all weather conditions, low altitude and day/night operations.

The F-15E Strike Eagle retains the same qualities that made the original F-15 Eagle so successful, and incorporates enough new elements to differentiate it from previous designs. Overall, the USAF Strike Eagle provides a system that can enter enemy territory, destroy designated ground targets, and then fight on its own without the need for specialized air support units.

The first F-15A first flew in 1972, and deliveries to the U.S. Air Force began in November 1974eventually including the F-15B variant. The improved Eagle appeared as the F-15C and F-15D (two-seat) models, and deliveries began in 1979.

The F-15E followed and was first delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing in Arizona in April 1988.

Unlike the original F-15 Eagle design, the Strike Eagle features a two-seat cockpit with tandem seats for the pilot (front seat) and weapons systems officer (rear seat). The front cockpit is dominated by three multifunctional screens that display different modes.

This is emphasized by the information head-up display (HUD) system, which is displayed in a clear glass holder above the instrument panel. The advanced HUD allows pilots to keep an eye on the area ahead without having to look at the instrument panel, as the HUD displays a wealth of flight-related information. Night operation is further enhanced by the HUD, which displays a clear, daytime-like view of the area ahead.

The rear cockpit of the WSO has four large customizable screens that allow officers to choose which display shows the desired system mode. These modes include a full range of weapons, available threats, real-time moving maps, target selection, electronic warfare, radar and various other aircraft systems.

Strike Eagle is equipped with a powerful APG-70 series radar system. The system allows pilots to fight all airborne threats, while weapons systems officers focus on locating and targeting targets of opportunity on the ground all safely from a distance.

GPS can handle real-time navigation and situation updates in a central on-board computer. Electronic boarding passes are available in both cockpits.

The LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared at Night) system allows the Strike Eagle to fly at low altitudes in bad weather and at night. The system also allows aircraft to lock onto and engage enemy targets without interference from sunlight or weather. The LANTIRN system is implemented by using two bottom capsules consisting of a target system and a navigation system. Of course, the targeting system is responsible for targeting the designated target and relaying this information to other onboard computer systems (including weapons).

The navigation pod uses a terrain-following system that allows assisting low-altitude flight.

Strike Eagles are powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 series engines with approximately 25,000 and 29,000 pounds of thrust, respectively, with afterburner capability. These engines provide a combined power output of 50,000 pounds of thrust on the 220 Series engines and 58,000 pounds of thrust on the 229 Series engines.

These engines are integrated with the rest of the aircraft through an advanced technology digital electronic engine control system. The basic design of the F-15 has a high engine thrust-to-weight ratio, which allows the aircraft to accelerate even on steep climbs.

This functionality is retained in the E model.

As a dual role performer, the Strike Eagle is designed to carry a range of ammunition for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. As a result, the system can use virtually any available USAF munitions as needed. This provides the USAF with a multi-role platform capable of handling many different types of mission engagements, with minor modifications as needed. Standard armament is a 20mm multi-barrel cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition. For close air-to-air engagements, the Strike Eagle is armed with the AIM-9 (Type M) Sidewinder missile.

Medium air-to-air combat can be attacked using the Sparrow missile AIM-7 (F/M variant) and its successor, the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile). Strike Eagle can hold 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder and 4 x AIM-7 Sparrows or 8 x AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles in a typical array.

Air superiority components inherent in the F-15's base design were carried over to the F-15E model. Due to the low wing loading of the design, maneuverability was not sacrificed, allowing the aircraft to make sharp turns without losing too much speed.

The F-15E's air-to-surface sorties can be carried out using any available nuclear or conventional USAF weapons, including air-to-surface missiles (AGM-65 Maverick), laser-guided bombs, conventionally thrown bombs, and area denial weapons. Hardpoints under the fuselage can also be reserved via 2 x 750 gallon fuel tanks to further increase the Strike Eagle's range.

The tanks are designed as a compliant, low-drag system designed to not compromise the smooth aerodynamic contours of the base airframe.

The capabilities of this class-leading aircraft include a top speed above Mach 2.5 (1,875 mph), a range of 2,400 miles and a ceiling of 60,000 feet. Fuel capacity is 35,550 lbs when the compliant tank is equipped with 3 external tanks. The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight is listed as 81,000 lbs. The prime contractor was the McDonnell Douglas Company, today a subsidiary of Boeing.

Strike Eagle is operated by the United States, Israel, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

The F-15E Strike Eagle debuted in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Early raids included facilities, while later raids targeted armoured vehicles and Scud hunting.

It was later incorporated into the "Operation North Watch" and "Operation South Watch" initiatives after the Gulf War.

Operation Denial of Flight and Operation Joint Force are other no-fly zone initiatives where Strike Eagle came up. Serbian ground targets in the conflict were hit by a series of guided and unguided bombs when needed, although Strike Eagle pilots kept an eye on the many surface-to-air missile systems scattered across the battlefield (an F-117 Nighthawk stealth Jager previously lost to such people).

Of course, the plane later appeared in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Afghanistan, the F-15E used guided and unguided bombs to devastating effect on Taliban ground forces and installations.

In Iraq, Strike Eagles roughed up the Iraqi Republican Guard in Medina, attacking defensive areas at will and destroying ground targets (including some 65 grounded MiGs).

Although the F-15 Eagle family originated in the 1970s, the entire F-15 Eagle family will continue to exist for some time due to its versatility and evolution as new requirements are passed on. The Strike Eagle has a distinct advantage in maintaining these qualities of its famous F-15 fighter lineage without sacrificing performance, even considering the stress the airframe is subjected to in heavy long-range engagements.

With that in mind, it will be a while before Strike Eagle (or Eagle for that matter) is replaced in global frontline service.

Like the F-15C fleet currently in service with the U.S. Air Force, the F-15E is expected to participate in a Boeing-led upgrade program to modernize routes by 2040 (announced March 2015).

This is due to late deliveries of the Lockheed F-35 Lightning II series and limited availability of the Lockheed F-22 Raptor 5th generation fighter. About 413 F-15C and F-15E aircraft will be part of the program.

Specification

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Performance

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Changes