Squadron Publications full book | F-15 'Walk Around'
This 'Squadron Publications' F-15 'Walk Around' digital book in full: Free download.
It does not go into the F-15EX, yet remains an excellent read on the F-15 Eagle.
Introduction of the F15 Eagle
- The F-15 Eagle, developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), is considered the best fighter ever built.
- Since its service entry in 1974, it has achieved over 100 aerial victories without being shot down.
- The F-15E Strike Eagle variant can carry up to 23,000 pounds of air-to-ground ordnance with high accuracy.
Development History of the F15 Eagle
- The F-15 originated from the USAF Fighter Experimental (FX) proposal in 1965.
- McDonnell Douglas was selected as the winner in December 1969, with the prototype's first flight on July 22, 1972.
- The first production F-15 was delivered to the USAF in November 1974, with operational units established shortly thereafter.
The F-15 has a maximum speed of 1,650MPH, and a service ceiling of 60,000 ft altitude.
- It can achieve a range of 2,878 miles with external fuel tanks and 3,450 miles with conformal fuel tanks.
- The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics, including the APG-63 and APG-70 radar systems, enabling look-down/shoot-down capabilities.
The Eagle has shot down 91 enemy aircraft in combat with zero losses.
The F-15 has a notable combat record, achieving a 33:0 kill ratio against the Iraqi Air Force during the Gulf War.
- Specifications
- F-15C specifications: Wingspan: 42 ft 9.75 in; Length: 63 ft 9 in; Empty Weight: 28,600 lbs; Maximum Weight: 68,000 lbs.
- Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney F-100-PW-220 engines, each producing 23,450 lbs of thrust.
- Armament includes a 20mm M61A-1 cannon and various air-to-air missiles, including AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Maintenance and Design
- The F-15 features easy maintenance access with numerous access panels and a lower maintenance man-hours per flight hour compared to earlier fighters.
- The design incorporates advanced materials and systems to enhance performance and reduce weight.
- The aircraft's cockpit is equipped with modern avionics and controls, including a Head-Up Display (HUD) and Multi-Purpose Displays (MPDs).
The end is not near! The F-15EX upgrade brings the AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanning Array radar, superior range, multi-target tracking, with low-probability-of-intercept communication and data-sharing with new built-in electronic protection against jamming.
The F-15EX improves upon the original fighter, how?
Open Mission Systems (OMS) is a modular, standards-based avionics backbone. It lets Boeing or the USAF drop in new weapons, sensors, or software algorithms without a full re-certification.
Legion Pod IRST Lockheed Martin/Raytheon’s Legion Pod provides long-range passive infrared search-and-track, enabling stealth-threat detection with zero radar emissions.
Advanced EW Suite The AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) integrates radar warning, missile warning, and countermeasures for next-gen threat environments.
Fly-by-Wire Controls upgrade with newly enhanced and higher performance data-inputs allow for tighter but looser handling, with Artificial Intelligence and pilot adaptive high-G maneuvers, optimized.
A 29,500 lb heavier payload max external load, the EX can haul more weapons—AIM-120 AMRAAMs, small-diameter bombs, even future hypersonics—than any US fighter.
More Powerful Engines Twin GE F110-GE-129 engines (each ~29,500 lbf thrust) out-power the F-15E’s F100s, boosting acceleration, dash speed, and hot-and-high performance.
Glass Cockpit Dual 12×19 in smart displays plus improved HUD give pilots customizable, high-resolution symbology and sensor fusion views.
Two-Seat, Mission-Flexible Design. The rear cockpit can house a weapons officer, a dedicated ISR operator, or an Electronic Warfare operator.
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