McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

Developed as a replacement for the F-4 Phantom II in the air superiority role, the Eagle has grown into a superb multi-role aircraft. The F-15 has a large wing area as well a high thrust to weight ratio giving it an unrivalledrate of climb. The first two models to enter service were the F-15A single-seat, and F-15B tandem two-seater. Delivered in June 1979 were the F-15C single-seat, and F-15D two-seat variant with an improved engine, track-while-scan air to air capability, ground mapping, and the ability to carry FAST packs for extra fuel and weaponry.

Full-scale development began in 1984 for a powerful dual-role F-15 fighter, named the F-15E Strike Eagle. The first flight of a production F-15E took place on December 11, 1986, with deliveries to the USAF commencing in 1988. Great success in the Gulf War led to export sales of 21 aircraft to Israel, and 72 to Saudi Arabia.

While the F-15E's main role is ground attack, the Strike Eagle is still a very capable fighter. Up to eight AAMs can be used in the air superiority role.

Prime contractor: McDonnell Douglas Aerospace
Nation of Origin: USA
Function: Air superiority and attack
Crew: F-15A/C - 1, F-15B/D/E - 2
Year: 1968
In-service year: F-15A/B - 1973, F-15C/D - 1979, F-15E - 1988

Engine:
F-15C : Two Pratt & Whitney F100-P-220 afterburning turbofans; 23,770 lb thrust each
F-15E : Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofans; 29,100 lb thrust each

Dimensions
Wing span: 13.05 m / 42 ft 10 in
Length: 19.43 m / 63 ft 9 in
Height: 5.63 m / 18 ft 6 in

Weight
F-15C : 44,630 lb empty / 68,000 lb max. take off
F-15E : 32,000 lb empty / 81,000 lb max. take off
Ceiling: 60,000 ft
Speed: 2,655 km/h / 1,650 mph
Range: 5,725 km / 3,570 miles with FAST packs

Armament
F-15C - One 20mm M61A1 Vulcan six-barrel cannon with 940 rounds, plus up to 23,600 lb including nuclear weapons, ASMs, AAMs, rockets, bombs, dispenser weapons, drop tanks, and ECM pods carried on nine external points
F-15E - One 20mm M61A1 Vulcan six-barrel cannon with 512 rounds, plus up to 24,250 lb including nuclear weapons, cluster bombs, freefall bombs, laser-guided bombs, AGM-65 Maverick ASMs, AGM-88 HARMs, AIM-7 Sparrow AAMs, AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs, AIM-120 AMRAAMs, and three fuel tanks on up to eighteen external points