Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15E Strike Eagle
In 1981, the USAF issued a requirement for a F-111 Aardvark replacement, including in the specification an aircraft that could defend itself as well as undertake missions: the F-111, despite its designation, was at a severe disadvantage against enemy aircraft. Both General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas responded with variants of their successful F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle fighters respectively. General Dynamics’ F-16XL, which used a “cranked-arrow” delta wing on a two-seat F-16B, was impressive and innovative compared to McDonnell Douglas’ submitted F-15E—which was simply an upgraded two-seat F-15B with conformal fuel tanks loaded with additional hardpoints. The austere backseater’s position in the conversion trainer F-15B was significantly changed to a full-suite weapons systems operator station, with multifunction displays, while the radar systems and electronic countermeasures suite were a generation more advanced than those on the F-15 fighter. Because the bombload would be carried on six hardpoints attached to the conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), which itself increased the aircraft’s range significantly, the underwing hardpoints were left open for defensive missiles; in a pinch, F-15Es could easily be used as emergency fighters.
This simplicity, however, was what led the F-15E to be chosen, as McDonnell Douglas could put the aircraft into immediate production, whereas General Dynamics would have to open or convert a new production line. The F-15 also had two engines, which increased survivalbility, and more parts commonality with F-15s already in service. The first F-15E Strike Eagle flew in December 1986, with deliveries to the USAF beginning in 1988. While the APG-70 radar was superb—F-15E pilots regularly tracked cars moving along German autobahns in training—the system was further improved by the all-weather LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods, allowing the F-15E to strike in any weather or at night, something vital over Central Europe.
The F-15E’s intended role of fighting the Warsaw Pact in Europe, however, was never to occur. Instead, the aircraft was among the first deployed in Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, and would see heavy action throughout the First Gulf War against Iraq the following year. F-15Es were mostly used to attack fixed targets, but this soon switched to hunting down Iraqi mobile Scud launchers and then hitting the tanks of the Iraqi Republican Guard with laser-guided bombs. The Strike Eagle’s all-weather capability served it well: in the middle of Operation Desert Storm, the weather deteoriated, which was only worsened when Saddam Hussein ordered the destruction of Kuwaiti oil wells. F-15Es still struck their targets on a regular basis; the aircraft had been proven. Strike Eagles also scored two aerial kills during the war and immediately afterwards, both Iraqi Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters.
Since 1991, the Strike Eagle has been used in every conflict fought by the United States, including the defense of Kurdish no-fly zones, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Second Gulf War against Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. While they typically use laser-guided bombs such as the GBU-10 and GBU-28 “bunker buster,” they are also capable of carrying guided missiles. McDonnell Douglas’ decision to retain the internal gun in the Strike Eagle has also proven well-founded, as F-15Es have used their guns to strafe targets, sometimes mere feet in front of troops in contact. In 2010, USAF F-15Es became the first aircraft in the inventory aside from the F-22 Raptor to use synthetic aperature AESA radars. The F-15E is expected to outlive its F-15C fighter “cousin,” with no real replacement on the horizon, and will likely stay in the inventory until 2030.
The F-15E has also been extensively exported, including to Israel (F-15I), Saudi Arabia (F-15S), South Korea (F-15K), and Singapore (F-15SG); these aircraft have also been used in combat, with Israeli F-15Is being used to destroy a Syrian chemical weapons factory in 2009 and in strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists, while Saudi F-15Ss have attacked al-Qaeda affiliated rebels in Yemen.
This F-15E Strike Eagle represents an aircraft of the 4th Fighter Wing based at Seymour-Johnson AFB, as it would have appeared during deployment in the First Gulf War. It is configured for Scud hunting, with two GBU-12 laser guided bombs, six CBU-87 cluster bombs, and two AIM-9L Sidewinders for self-defense.
Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15E Strike Eagle
In 1981, the USAF issued a requirement for a F-111 Aardvark replacement, including in the specification an aircraft that could defend itself as well as undertake missions: the F-111, despite its designation, was at a severe disadvantage against enemy aircraft. Both General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas responded with variants of their successful F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle fighters respectively. General Dynamics’ F-16XL, which used a “cranked-arrow” delta wing on a two-seat F-16B, was impressive and innovative compared to McDonnell Douglas’ submitted F-15E—which was simply an upgraded two-seat F-15B with conformal fuel tanks loaded with additional hardpoints. The austere backseater’s position in the conversion trainer F-15B was significantly changed to a full-suite weapons systems operator station, with multifunction displays, while the radar systems and electronic countermeasures suite were a generation more advanced than those on the F-15 fighter. Because the bombload would be carried on six hardpoints attached to the conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), which itself increased the aircraft’s range significantly, the underwing hardpoints were left open for defensive missiles; in a pinch, F-15Es could easily be used as emergency fighters.
This simplicity, however, was what led the F-15E to be chosen, as McDonnell Douglas could put the aircraft into immediate production, whereas General Dynamics would have to open or convert a new production line. The F-15 also had two engines, which increased survivalbility, and more parts commonality with F-15s already in service. The first F-15E Strike Eagle flew in December 1986, with deliveries to the USAF beginning in 1988. While the APG-70 radar was superb—F-15E pilots regularly tracked cars moving along German autobahns in training—the system was further improved by the all-weather LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods, allowing the F-15E to strike in any weather or at night, something vital over Central Europe.
The F-15E’s intended role of fighting the Warsaw Pact in Europe, however, was never to occur. Instead, the aircraft was among the first deployed in Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, and would see heavy action throughout the First Gulf War against Iraq the following year. F-15Es were mostly used to attack fixed targets, but this soon switched to hunting down Iraqi mobile Scud launchers and then hitting the tanks of the Iraqi Republican Guard with laser-guided bombs. The Strike Eagle’s all-weather capability served it well: in the middle of Operation Desert Storm, the weather deteoriated, which was only worsened when Saddam Hussein ordered the destruction of Kuwaiti oil wells. F-15Es still struck their targets on a regular basis; the aircraft had been proven. Strike Eagles also scored two aerial kills during the war and immediately afterwards, both Iraqi Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters.
Since 1991, the Strike Eagle has been used in every conflict fought by the United States, including the defense of Kurdish no-fly zones, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Second Gulf War against Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. While they typically use laser-guided bombs such as the GBU-10 and GBU-28 “bunker buster,” they are also capable of carrying guided missiles. McDonnell Douglas’ decision to retain the internal gun in the Strike Eagle has also proven well-founded, as F-15Es have used their guns to strafe targets, sometimes mere feet in front of troops in contact. In 2010, USAF F-15Es became the first aircraft in the inventory aside from the F-22 Raptor to use synthetic aperature AESA radars. The F-15E is expected to outlive its F-15C fighter “cousin,” with no real replacement on the horizon, and will likely stay in the inventory until 2030.
The F-15E has also been extensively exported, including to Israel (F-15I), Saudi Arabia (F-15S), South Korea (F-15K), and Singapore (F-15SG); these aircraft have also been used in combat, with Israeli F-15Is being used to destroy a Syrian chemical weapons factory in 2009 and in strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists, while Saudi F-15Ss have attacked al-Qaeda affiliated rebels in Yemen.
This F-15E Strike Eagle represents an aircraft of the 4th Fighter Wing based at Seymour-Johnson AFB, as it would have appeared during deployment in the First Gulf War. It is configured for Scud hunting, with two GBU-12 laser guided bombs, six CBU-87 cluster bombs, and two AIM-9L Sidewinders for self-defense.