Pictures courtesy Israeli Air Force

picture courtesy
members.tripod.com/ ~F15JEagle

Picture courtesy USAF

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F-15 Strike Eagle

The F-15 is the USAF's frontline tactical air superiority fighter. The F-15, was designed and developed to match the capability of the soviet MiG-25. Thought the MiG-25 can outperform the F-15 in terms of speed, the F-15 proved to be a better fighter than the MiG-25 which is used to reconaissance. The F-15 has seen action over the Persian gulf, though it has flown many missions over Iraq, not a single F-15 was lost in combat.

The F-15 was designed to be fast, agile and effective on its enemies. The F-15 achieves what is known as air superiority thorough various means. These include its agility, maneuverability, weapons and avionics which are user friendly and is made of the cutting edge technology. The F-15, was designed in such a way that a single crew member can work effectively and safely during his or her mission. The F-15 has high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. This makes the F-15 highly maneuverable. The high thrust-to-weight ratio of the F-15 allows it to make turns without losing airspeed.

Development and Deployment

The F-15 made its maiden flight in July 1972. The trainer version of the F-15 was made in 1973. The first of the F-15B fighter was delivered in November 1974 to the 58^th air tactical wing in Luke AFB, Arizona. The first F-15 intended for combat purposes was delivered to the 1^st Tactical fighter wing at Langley AFB. Other units of the F-15 have been deployed in various locations like Bitburg AB-Germany, Tyndall AFB-Florida, Eglin AFB-Florida, Soesterberg AB-Netherlands and Elmendorf AFB-Alaska. In January 1982 the 48^th Fighter-Interceptor squadron at Langley AFR became the first air-defense squadron featuring the F-15.

Versions of the F-15

F-15A - Single seat tactical air superiority fighter.
F-15B - Two seat fighter/trainer.
F-15C - Single seat tactical air superiority fighter.
F-15D - Two seat fighter/trainer.
F-15E - Single seat tactical air superiority fighter.
F-15I - Export version of the F-15 for Israel.

Avionics

The avionics of the F-15 was designed to be useful for multi mode missions including air-to-air and air-to-ground attack missions. The avionics of the F-15 is different from the avionics of many other fighters in the world today. The avionics include inertial navigation system, flight insturments, TACAN (tactical air navigation), ECM, communications and a digital computer for performing in-flight functions. The upgradation programme of the F-15 has made significant improvement in its avionics.

Radar


The advanced pulse-Doppler radar onboard the F-15 allows the pilot to illuminate high and low flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It allows the pilot to track targets which fly at a very low altitude with maximum efficiency. The F-15's radar can be used for both close combat mode and BVR mode (beyond visual range). The radar has the capability to aquire targets automatically.

Self defense

The self defense system of the F-15 carries an onboard ECM (electronic counter measures) and an electronic warfare system. The ECM is used for jamming or confusing the enemy radar while a missile is being launched. The electronic warfare system is used for indicating incoming missiles and to deploy the necessary countermeasures. The F-15 also has an IFF (identify friend or foe) system which allows the F-15 to know whether the aircraft which it is engaging is a friend or a foe with the help of a transponder signal.

Weapons

The F-15 carries a variety of weapon systems. These include air-to-air weapons as well as air-to-ground weapons. The F-15 carries a 20mm Gatling gun with 940 rounds of ammo, versions of the AIM-7 sparrow missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and AIM-9 sidewinder missiles. The F-15 D and D models have a low-drag conformal fuel tanks, they are designed in such a war that they can be used for being attached to the sides of the intake trunks of the F-15.

Engines

The F-15 is fitted with two Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners. These engine are very effective and are very useful while performing air combat maneuvers. The F-15's engine lets out a thrust of 25000 pounds each.

Technical Specifications
Length	19.43m
Height	5.69m
Wingspan	13.06m
Max Speed	Mach 2.5
Ceiling	19.697m
Takeoff weight	30600kg
Range	3450 miles
Cost Per unit	$15M