McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

F-15E Strike Eagle
F-15E Strike Eagle
	An F-15E from the 391st Fighter Squadron
General information
Type	Multirole strike fighter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas (1985–1997) ; Boeing Defense, Space & Security (1997–2017)
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force ; Israeli Air Force ; Republic of Korea Air Force ; For other users, see Operators
Number built	435 (F-15E/I/S/K/SG)
History
Manufactured	1985–2017
Introduction date	1988 ; 30 September 1989 (IOC)
First flight	11 December 1986
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Developed into	Boeing F-15EX Eagle II

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E Strike Eagle is an American all-weather multirole strike fighter^[5] derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Intended for the Dual-Role Fighter (DRF) program (initially called Enhanced Tactical Fighter), the F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high-speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic-warfare aircraft. United States Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles can be generally distinguished from other US Eagle variants by darker aircraft camouflage, conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) and LANTIRN pods mounted behind the engine intake ramps (although CFTs can also be mounted on earlier F-15 variants) and a tandem-seat cockpit.

Initially designed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, the F-15E first flew in 1986 and production continued under Boeing following the companies' merger in 1997. The aircraft became the USAF's primary strike fighter/interdictor starting near the end of the Cold War, gradually replacing the F-111 Aardvark. The Strike Eagle has been deployed for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya, among others. During these operations, the strike fighter has carried out deep strikes against high-value targets and combat air patrols, and provided close air support for coalition troops. It has also been exported to several countries. The F-15E is expected to remain in USAF service until the 2030s. Enhanced versions of the design, called the F-15 Advanced Eagle, remain in production.

^ ^a ^b ^c Davies 2002, p. 90.
^ Splendid Vision, Unswerving Purpose: Developing Air Power for the United States Air Force During the First Century of Powered Flight, Dept. of the Air Force (18 March 2003), p. 253.
^ Cite error: The named reference 88service was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference F15Chrono was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Boeing: F-15E Strike Eagle". Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The Boeing Company. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.

Cite error: There are <ref group=N> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=N}} template (see the help page).

[Davies_p90-1] Davies 2002, p. 90.

[1988service-3] Splendid Vision, Unswerving Purpose: Developing Air Power for the United States Air Force During the First Century of Powered Flight, Dept. of the Air Force (18 March 2003), p. 253.

[88service-4] Cite error: The named reference 88service was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[F15Chrono-5] Cite error: The named reference F15Chrono was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[6] "Boeing: F-15E Strike Eagle". Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The Boeing Company. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.

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