Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Air Superiority Aircraft
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas (McDonnell), Boeing Defense, Space & Security (Boeing)
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle Aircraft Overview
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a fourth-generation, twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft designed for air-to-air combat. It was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) in the 1960s and entered service in the 1970s. The F-15 Eagle is considered one of the most successful modern fighter aircraft, and it has an outstanding combat record with over 100 victories and no losses in aerial combat.
The F-15 Eagle is characterized by its high speed, maneuverability, and advanced avionics systems, which allow it to operate effectively in a variety of mission scenarios. It is armed with a variety of air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, as well as a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon. The F-15 has also been adapted for air-to-ground missions and is capable of carrying a range of bombs and missiles.
Over the years, the F-15 Eagle has been upgraded with advanced avionics and weapon systems, including the latest version, the F-15E Strike Eagle, which is a two-seat, all-weather, dual-role fighter designed for air-to-ground missions. The F-15 remains a critical component of the USAF’s fighter force and is also in service with several other countries’ air forces around the world.
McDonnell Douglas F-15C Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)
- Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
- Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
- Wing area: 608 sq ft (56.5 m2)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 64A006.6; tip: NACA 64A203
- Empty weight: 28,000 lb (12,701 kg)
- Gross weight: 44,500 lb (20,185 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 68,000 lb (30,844 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 13,455 lb (6,103 kg) internal
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofans, 14,590 lbf (64.9 kN) thrust each dry, 23,770 lbf (105.7 kN) with afterburner
McDonnell Douglas F-15C Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.54 (1,650 mph, 2,655 km/h) at high altitude
- Mach 1.2, 800 kn (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at sea level
- Combat range: 1,061 nmi (1,221 mi, 1,965 km) for interdiction mission
- Ferry range: 3,000 nmi (3,500 mi, 5,600 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
- Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)
- g limits: +9
- Rate of climb: 67,050 ft/min (340.6 m/s) (with 3 pylons)
- Wing loading: 73.1 lb/sq ft (357 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 1.07 (1.26 with loaded weight and 50% internal fuel)
McDonnell Douglas F-15C Armament
- Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon, 940 rounds
- Hardpoints: Total 9: two under-wing (each with additional two missile launch rails), four under-fuselage (for semi-recessed carriage of AIM-7 Sparrows) and a single centerline pylon station, optional fuselage pylons (which may include conformal fuel tanks) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,300 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Missiles: *** 4× AIM-7 Sparrow
- 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder
- 8× AIM-120 AMRAAM
- Other: *** up to 3 × 600 US gallons (2,300 L) external drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time.
- MXU-648 Cargo/Travel Pod – to carry personal belongings and small pieces of maintenance equipment.
- Missiles: *** 4× AIM-7 Sparrow
