Mission
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.
Features
The aircraft
uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. Previous
models of the F-15 are assigned air-to-air roles; the “E” model is a
dual-role fighter. It has the capability to fight its way to a target
over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out.
The aircraft’s navigation system uses a laser gyro and a Global
Positioning System to continuously monitor the aircraft’s position and
provide information to the central computer and other systems,
including a digital moving map in both cockpits.
The APG-70
radar system allows aircrews to detect ground targets from long ranges.
One feature of this system is that after a sweep of a target area, the
crew freezes the air-to-ground map then goes back into air-to-air mode
to clear for air threats. During the air-to-surface weapon delivery,
the pilot is capable of detecting, targeting and engaging air-to-air
targets while the WSO designates the ground target.
The
low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night (LANTIRN)
system allows the aircraft to fly at low altitudes, at night and in any
weather conditions, to attack ground targets with a variety of
precision-guided and unguided weapons. The LANTIRN system gives the
F-15E unequaled accuracy in weapons delivery day or night and in poor
weather, and consists of two pods attached to the exterior of the
aircraft.
The navigation pod contains terrain-following radar
which allows the pilot to safely fly at a very low altitude following
cues displayed on a heads up display. This system also can be coupled
to the aircraft’s autopilot to provide “hands off” terrain-following
capability.
The targeting pod contains a laser designator and
a tracking system that mark an enemy for destruction at long ranges.
Once tracking has been started, targeting information is automatically
handed off to GPS or laser-guided bombs.
One of the most
important additions to the F-15E is the rear cockpit, and the weapons
systems officer. On four screens, this officer can display information
from the radar, electronic warfare or infrared sensors, monitor
aircraft or weapons status and possible threats, select targets, and
use an electronic “moving map” to navigate. Two hand controls are used
to select new displays and to refine targeting information. Displays
can be moved from one screen to another, chosen from a “menu” of
display options.
In addition to three similar screens in the
front seat, the pilot has a transparent glass heads up display at eye
level that displays vital flight and tactical information. The pilot
doesn’t need to look down into the cockpit, for example, to check
weapon status. At night, the screen is even more important because it
displays a video picture nearly identical to a daylight view of the
world generated by the forward-looking infrared sensor.
The
F-15E is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 engines
that incorporate advanced digital technology for improved performance.
For example, with a digital electronic engine control system, F-15E
pilots can accelerate from idle power to maximum afterburner in less
than four seconds, a 40 percent improvement over the previous engine
control system. Faster engine acceleration means quicker takeoffs and
crisper response while maneuvering. The F100-PW-220 engines can produce
50,000 pounds of thrust (25,000 each) and the F100-PW-229 engines
58,000 pounds of thrust (29,000 each).
Each of the low-drag
conformal fuel tanks that hug the F-15E’s fuselage can carry 750
gallons of fuel. The tanks hold weapons on short pylons rather than
conventional weapon racks, reducing drag and further extending the
range of the Strike Eagle.
For air-to-ground missions, the
F-15E can carry most weapons in the Air Force inventory. It also can be
armed with AIM-7F/M Sparrows, AIM-9M Sidewinders and AIM-120 advanced
medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) for the air-to-air role. The
“E” model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun that can carry up to
500 rounds.
Background
The F-15’s
superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through its high
engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low-wing loading. It was the first
U.S. operational aircraft whose engines’ thrust exceeded the plane’s
loaded weight, permitting it to accelerate even while in vertical
climb. Low-wing loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area)
is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high
thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without
losing airspeed.
The first flight of the F-15A was made in
July 1972. In November 1974, the first Eagle was delivered to the 58th
Tactical Fighter Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., where
training began in both F-15A and B aircraft. In January 1976, the first
F-15 destined for a combat squadron was delivered to the 1st Tactical
Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va.
The single-seat F-15C and
two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory in 1979 and were
first delivered to Kadena Air Base, Japan. These models were equipped
with production Eagle package improvements, including 2,000 pounds of
additional internal fuel, provisions for carrying exterior conformal
fuel tanks, and increased maximum takeoff weight of 68,000 pounds.
The first production model of the F-15E was delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz., in April 1988.
General Characteristics
Primary function: Air-to-ground attack aircraft
Builder: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Power plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 turbofan engines with afterburners
Thrust: 25,000 – 29,000 pounds each engine
Wingspan: 42.8 feet (13 meters)
Length: 63.8 feet (19.44 meters)
Height: 18.5 feet (5.6 meters)
Speed: Mach 2.5 plus
Maximum takeoff weight: 81,000 pounds (36,450 kilograms)
Service ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,000 meters)
Combat ceiling: 35,000 feet (10,500 meters)
Range: 2,400 miles (3,840 kilometers) ferry range with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Armament: One 20mm multibarrel gun mounted internally with 500 rounds of
ammunition. Four AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles and four AIM-9L/M Sidewinder
missiles, or eight AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. Any air-to-surface weapon
in the Air Force inventory (nuclear and conventional)
Crew: Pilot and weapon systems officer
Unit cost: $31.1 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Date deployed: April 1988
Inventory: Active force, 217; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Point of Contact
Air Combat Command,Public
Affairs Office; 115 Thompson St., Ste. 211; Langley AFB, Va.
23665-1987; DSN 574-5014 or (757) 764-5014; e-mail:
[email protected]
June 2006