Boeing F-15E, F-151 Strike Eagle

he F-15 was originally intended as dual-role air­craft, incorporating ат-to-ground capability and wired for the carriage of air-to-ground ordnance, This ground attack role was abandoned in 1975, but later resurrected in 19R2, when the second TF-15A was modified as the privately-developed ‘Strike Eagle’ It was conceived as a replacement for the F-111. Development of the the resulting F-15E began in February 1984 and the first production air­craft made its maiden flight on 11 Decemoer 1986, The F-15E’s primary mission is air-to-ground strike, for which it carries a wide range of weapons on two underwing pylons, underfuselage pylons and 12 bomb racks mounted directly on the CFTs. It introduces redesigned controls, a wide field of vision HUD, and three multi-purpose CRTs displaying navigation, weapons delivery and systems operations, The rear-cockpit WSO employs four multi-purpose CRT terminals for radar, weapon selection and monitoring of enemy tracking systems. The WSO also operates an AN/APG-70 synthetic aperture radar and LANTIRN navigation and targeting pods. The navigation pod incorporates its own TFR, which can be linked to the aircraft’s flight control system to allow automatic coupled terrain following flight. The targeting pod allows the aircraft to self-desig­
nate LGBs. The F-15E’s original F100-PW-220 turbofans were soon replaced by P&W’s F100-PW – 229 engine under the Improved Performance Engine competitive programme,

The F-15E has been exported to Israel as the F-151 Ra’am, and to Egypt as the F-15S Israel has acquired 25 F-15ls and the first two aircraft were delivered in January 1998. Israel’s F-15ls are identi­cal to USAF F-15Es, but the Saudi F-15S aircraft have been downgraded, with some air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities deleted. The first of 72 F-15Ss made its maiden flight on 19 June 1995. Boeing has offered another version of the the F-15Er the F-15K, to South Korea.

The USAF took delivery of 209 F-15Fs between 1987 and 1994, A follow-o batch of 17 aircraft was delivered in 2000, bringing that total up to 226 aircraft. These F-15Es were equipped with new advanced data processors, a new digital mapping system, provisions for an upgraded Programmable Armament Control System, expanded smart weapons carriage capability (to include JDAM), and an embedded Global Positioning Sysiem/lnertial Navigation System for increased accuracy. The USAF plans to upgrade all its Strike Eagles to this standard.

Specification: Boeing F-15E Eagle Powerplant: wo 129.45-kN (29.100-lb)

Pratt & Whitney F’OO-PW-229 turbofans Dimensions: wing span 13.05 m(42 ft 10 in); length 19.43 m (63 ft 9 in); height 5.63 m (18 ft 5.5 in)

Weights: operating empty 14379 kg (3′ ,700 lb); maximum take-off 36741 kg (81.000 lb) Performance: maximum evel speed ‘clean’ at high altitude more :han 2655 kmh (1.550 mph); maximum rate of climb at sea level more than 15240 m (50,000 ft) Der minute; combat radius 61270 km (790 miles)

Armament: one M61A1 20-mm cannon with 940 rounds; maximum ordnance load of 11113 kg (24.500 lb)