F 15e
The Strike Eagle, a derivative of the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter, proved its worth in Desert Storm and Operation Allied Force, carrying out deep strikes against high-value targets, combat air patrols, and providing close air support for coalition troops. The F-15E Strike Eagle can be distinguished from other U.S.
Eagle variants by its darker camouflage and the conformal fuel tanks mounted along the engine intakes.
Development
In March 1981, the USAF announced the Enhanced Tactical Fighter program to procure a replacement for the F-111 Aardvark. The concept envisioned an aircraft capable of launching deep interdiction missions without requiring additional support by fighter escort or jamming.
General Dynamics submitted the F-16XL, while McDonnell Douglas submitted a variant of the F-15 Eagle. On 24 February 1984, the USAF awarded the ETF to McDonnell Douglas' F-15E Strike Eagle. The Air Force initially planned to purchase 392 F-15Es.
A McDonnell Douglas F-15E prototype (71-0291).
The F-15E's first flight was on 11 December 1986. The first production model of the F-15E was delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in April 1988.
The "Strike Eagle", as it was dubbed, received initial operational capability on 30 September 1989 at Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Variants of the F-15E have been developed for Israel (F-15I), Korea (F-15K), Saudi Arabia (F-15S), and Singapore (F-15SG).
The first production F-15E (86-0183) in flight.
The F-15E will be upgraded with the Raytheon APG-63(V)4 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar after 2007. It combines the processor of the APG-79 used on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with the antenna of the APG-63(V)3 AESA being fitted on the F-15C. The radar upgrade is expected to begin in 2008. In 2009, the APG-63(V)4 radar was designated APG-82.
While most of the F-15C/Ds are being replaced by the F-22 Raptor there is no slated replacement for the F-15E.
The F-15Es are expected to remain in service past 2025. The Air Force is currently pursuing the 2018 Bomber, a medium bomber concept which could also take over the Strike Eagle's "deep strike" profile. The "A" variant of the F-35 Lightning II, which is projected to eventually replace many other attack aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II, could also take over much of the F-15E's role.
Design
F-15E Strike Eagle lands in England at RIAT 2008
The F-15E's deep strike mission is a radical departure from the original intent of the F-15, since the F-15 was designed as an air superiority fighter under the mantra "not a pound for air-to-ground." The basic airframe, however, proved versatile enough to produce a very capable strike fighter.
The F-15E, while designed for ground attack, retains the air-to-air lethality of the F-15, and can defend itself against enemy aircraft.
The F-15E prototype was a modification of the two-seat F-15B. The F-15E, despite its origins, includes significant structural changes and much more powerful engines.
The back seat is equipped for a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO pronounced 'wizzo') to work the new air-to-ground avionics. The WSO uses multiple screens to 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.
During the war, F-15Es flew hunter missions during the night over western Iraq, searching after mobile SCUD launchers that threatened neighboring countries. By conducting random bombings in suspected areas, F-15E crews hoped to deter the Iraqis from setting up for a SCUD launch.
On the first day of the war, approaching H-2 airfield, a formation of Strike Eagles were tracked by three Iraqi MiG-23s and two MiG-29s and there were two notable opportunities for the F-15E to claim its first air-to-air kill.
On the opening night one F-15E tracked a MiG-29 and attempted to engage it but had difficulties in acquiring the MiG-29's thermal signature in order to target an AIM-9 Sidewinder. Several other F-15Es simultaneously tried to engage the lone MiG-29 but errors and bad luck prevented them from getting the kill.
Another MiG-29 was shot down by his own wingman and an F-15E was close by to yet another MiG-29, but the pilot elected not to engage as there were USN F-14s on the way to the area.
On the night of 18 January, during a strike against a Petrol Oil and Lubricant plant near Basrah, an F-15E was lost to enemy fire and the pilot and WSO were killed. F-15E crews described this mission as the most difficult and dangerous mission of the war as it was heavily defended by SA-3s, SA-6s, SA-8s and Rolands as well as of anti-aircraft artillery.
Two nights later, a second and final F-15E was downed by an Iraqi SA-2; the crew survived and managed to evade capture for several days and were even in contact with two coalition aircraft, but SAR crews were unable to rescue them due to security issues as one of the downed airmen did not properly identify himself on the radio with proper codes. The two airmen were later captured by the Iraqis.
Even though air-to-air kills had eluded the F-15Es, four Strike Eagles destroyed 18 Iraqi jets at Tallil air base using GBU-12s and CBU-87s, but on 14 February, their luck changed as an F-15E scored its first and only air-to-air kill: a Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopter.
The attack was in response to a request for help by US Special Forces, when five Iraqi helicopters were spotted. The lead F-15E of a formation of two (from the 335th) acquired a helicopter unloading Iraqi soldiers through the FLIR pod and released a GBU-10.
They also conducted secret missions attempting to kill Saddam Hussein, bombing what were believed to be places where the Iraqi president was hiding, but with no luck. As the ground war was coming closer, F-15Es began tank plinking, attacking Iraqi tanks and armoured personnel carriers in Kuwait.
Following 42 days of heavy combat for the F-15Es, a cease fire came into effect on 1 March 1991.
Since the F-15Es were not allowed to open fire, the aircraft made high speed passes as close as they dared in the hope that their wake turbulence would snap a rotor blade. F-15Es from 494th Fighter Squadron "Black Panthers" deployed to Turkey in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
F-15Es would fly into combat over the next decade on numerous occasions. In December 1998, Operation Desert Fox was conducted because Iraq refused UNSCOM inspections.
On 28 December 1998, three F-15Es each dropped two GBU-12 500-pound precision-guided munitions (PGMs).