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 inclement
weather and perform its primary function as an air-to-ground attack aircraft.
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.
An
inertial navigation system uses a laser gyro 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 air crews to detect ground targets from longer
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 as far away as 10 miles. Once tracking has been started,
targeting information is automatically handed off to infrared air-to-surface
missiles or laser-guided bombs.
One of
the most important additions to the F-15E is the rear cockpit, reserved for 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 screen 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 that is 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.
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 Air Force Base, Va.
The
single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory in
1979 and were delivered to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, 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 Air Force Base, Ariz., in April 1988.
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
Date deployed:
April 1988
Inventory: Active force, 217; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0