F-15 Eagle
| This article may be deleted soon. | ||
|---|---|---|
 The F-15 Eagle aircraft is a series of fighter aircraft#Air superiority fighter|air superiority fighter]]s, designed for the United States Air Force]]. Production began with the F-15A single-seat and F-15B two-seat (trainer) versions; the current U.S. production versions are the F-15C and F-15D. In the system of fighter generations, it is usually considered fighter aircraft#fourth generation|fourth generation]], with the best available human interfaces, such as HOTAS]] controls from the beginning. Image:USAF F-15C fires AIM-7 Sparrow 2.jpg | thumb | F-15 firing AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile , now replaced by the AIM-120 AMRAAM ]] While an informal motto for the designers was "not a pound for air to ground", a two-seat fighter aircraft#fighter-bomber|fighter-bomber]] variant, the F-15E Strike Eagle]], has proved to be a formidable combat performer. Both the F-15 and F-15E will be replaced by the fifth generation F-22 Raptor]]. As the F-16 Fighting Falcon]] complements the F-15, the F-35A Lightning II]] will complement the F-22. For the United States, the successor to the F-15 air superiority and probably advanced fighter bomber series is the F-22 Raptor]], although Secretary of Defense]] Robert Gates]] has recommended stopping production after 187 airframes. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter]], which will continue and perhaps increase production, still has substantial air-to-air capability, and might well outperform an Eagle but not a Raptor. Upgraded Eagles, however, have been proposed for the export market, such as the Boeing-developed F-15SE Silent Eagle.[1] Eventually, the F-15 airframes will wear out. While the aircraft still can fly, however, its avionics continue to be upgraded. If the NCADE]] missile, in active testing as an air-launched anti-ballistic missile]], with other long-range intercept roles, this might provide a role for F-15's that are not adequate against first-line fighters. RoleBefore the F-15E was developed, the F-15 series was seen as a "high end" air superiority fighter. Under John Boyd]]'s concept of "high-low", the F-16 Fighting Falcon]] was the Air Force low end, intended as a fighter-bomber although having significant air superiority capability. The first F-15A flight was made in July 1972, and the first flight of the two-seat F-15B (formerly TF-15A) trainer was made in July 1973. The first Eagle (F-15B) was delivered in November 1974. F-15s can extend their range both with aerodynamically efficient conformal fuel tanks that effectively become part of the fuselage, as well as wing-mounted drop tanks. Still, they routinely use air refueling]]. In January 1976, the first Eagle destined for a combat squadron was delivered. In 1983, a Multistage Improvement Program was begun, with the first production MSIP F-15C produced in 1985. Improvements included an upgraded central computer; a Programmable Armament Control Set, allowing for advanced versions of the AIM-7 Sparrow]] (now obsolete), AIM-9 Sidewinder]], and AIM-120 AMRAAM]] air-to-air missile]]s; and an expanded Tactical Electronic Warfare System that provides improvements to the ALR-56|AN/ALR-56C]] radar warning receiver and AN/ALQ-135 countermeasure set. The final 43 included a APG-63|AN/APG-63]] radar, of which Version 1 is a Radar#passive electronically scanned array |PESA system]]. APG-63 V(3), now operational, is a second-generation Radar#active electronically scanned array|active array (AESA) system]]. The V(2) was the world's first operational fighter AESA. F-15C, D and E models were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm]] where they proved their superior combat capability. F-15C fighters accounted for 34 of the 37 Air Force air-to-air victories, as well as victories by the Royal Saudi Air Force]]. They have since been deployed for air expeditionary force deployments and Operation NORTHERN WATCH]] andOperation SOUTHERN WATCH]] (no-fly zones in Iraq), Operation Provide Comfort]] in Turkey, Operation Allied Force in Bosnia]], Operation Enduring Freedom]] in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in Iraq. Foreign operatorsThere are a number of foreign operators, including Israel, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, with variants specific to national needs and U.S. export controls. Defensive systemsFor both electronic protection]] and infrared countermeasures]], the AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System [CMDS], is a "smart" dispenser that can integrate with defensive avionics such as radar warning receiver]]s, radar reflector (i.e., chaff) dispensers, radar jammers, as well as helping the pilot with situational awareness of the threat. [2] The ALQ-184|AN/ALQ-184]] is an active jammer attached to the aircraft, and can also tow older decoys. Specifications
References
|
||
