This was uploaded on 9/18 is the birthday of the USAF! It is the 66th birthday and although i am Australian i still Celebrate the USAF's birthday along with STEALTHy!


For a time, the McDonnell Douglas (now under Boeing) F-15 Eagle series was the pinnacle of American air superiority, incorporating advanced technologies and forward-thinking design that evolved into a highly maneuverable and performance-enhanced multi-role fighter platform. The F-15 was designed to succeed the highly-respect, but ultimately aged, McDonnell F-4 Phantom II series from the Vietnam War years and would go on to achieve an excellent kill-to-loss record - at one time totaling 100 combat kills to no losses.

The F-15 (in its air superiority/interceptor form) entered service with the United States Air Force in 1976 and was quick to position itself as the best fighter platform in the world - capable of engaging any enemy aircraft at range. The prototype was designated the YF-15A with the first production models taking on the F-15A designation. This was followed by the two-seat F-15B (initially the TF-15A) two-seat variant. The F-15C was another single-seat model introducing the F100-P-220 series engines. The F-15D was of similar scope though a two-seat version. The aircraft first saw combat actions in Israeli hands when Israeli F-15's shot down Soviet-produced Syrian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 "Fishbed" fighters in a much publicized confrontation. Since then, the series has been introduced in a variety of limited "flavors" including a two-seat trainer conversion model, a strike platform and the improved "Strike Eagle" two-seat attack variant.

The base interceptor F-15 Eagle provides the pilot with a modern approach to air combat complete with digital avionics and engine systems as well as cockpit management through multi-function displays (MFDs) and a detailed Heads-Up Display (HUD) unit. This provides the pilot with the ability to fly the aircraft without taking his view from the action ahead and outside. The powerful afterburning Pratt & Whitney afterburning turbofan engines can propel the F-15 to speeds upwards of 1,600 miles per hour.

Specifications for the
Boeing / McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Fighter / Interceptor / Multi-role / Air Superiority Aircraft

Country of Origin:United States
Manufacturer:McDonnell Douglas / Boeing - USA
Initial Year of Service:1976
Production:1,500

Focus Model:Boeing / McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle
Crew:1 or 2

Length:63.78ft (19.44m)
Width:42.78ft (13.04m)
Height:18.50ft (5.64m)
Weight (Empty):27,000lbs (12,247kg)
Weight (MTOW):56,002lbs (25,402kg)

Powerplant:2 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburn generating 25,000lbs of thrust.

Maximum Speed:1,650mph (2,655kmh; 1,434kts)
Maximum Range:600miles (966km)
Service Ceiling:62,992ft (19,200m; 11.9miles)
Rate-of-Climb:50,000 feet per minute (15,240m/min)

Hardpoints:7
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
1 x M61A1 20mm internal rotary cannon

Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:

4 x AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
2 x AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles
GBU-10 Laser-Guided Bombs
GBU-12 Laser-Guided Bombs
GBU-24 Laser-Guided Bombs
GBU-15 Electro-Optically Guided Bombs
AGM-130 Powered Bombs
GBU-31 JDAM
GBU-32 JDAM
JSOW Conventional Bombs
Cluster Munitions
B51 Nuclear Bombs
B61 Nuclear Bombs
AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles
AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles

Up to 16,000 lbs of various ordnance.

Variants:
YF-15A - Prototype Model Designation

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F-15A - Single-Seat Variant

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F-15B - Dual-Seat Variant; initially designated as the TF-15A.

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F-15C - Single seat model fitted with F100-P-220 23,450lb engines; updated systems throughout; improved APG-70 radar system.

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F-15D - Two-seat model fitted with F100-P-220 23,450lb engines; updated systems throughout; improved AGP-70 radar system.

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F-15E "Strike Eagle" - Strengthened airframe; improved advanced air-to-air capabilities; improved ground attack capabilities.

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TF-15A - Initial Designation for the twin-seat F-15B model.

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F-15J - License-produced Japanese single-seat model based on the F-15C.

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F-15DJ - License-produced Japanese two-seat model based on the F-15D.

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F-15I "Ra'am" (Thunder) - Israeli Export Model produced in the United States.