My favorite scenario was an attack on Syria and fighting against Soviet-era fighters and surface-to-air missiles. I wish I could say I had an unblemished experience with the game. The bad guys were good enough to shoot me down in simulations. But the real F-15E Strike Eagle is still a marvel. The F-15 series of variants has a perfect record in real life – enjoying a 104 to zero kill ratio – no losses in over 40 years of flying for the U.S. Air Force. Let’s take a closer look at what made this fighter a true marvel.
A pair of heritage painted F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing conduct aerial maneuvers over southern England June 9, 2019. The Liberty Wing conducts routine training daily to ensure the 48th Fighter Wing brings unique air combat capabilities to the fight when called upon by United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)
What’s Great About the F-15E?The F-15E showed that it could strike deep in any weather night and day in numerous combat engagements. Its targeting system can track an enemy fighter and at the same time paint installations and equipment on the ground for precision-guided bombs.
The MACH 2.5 speed is one its top attributes. The fighter can launch air-to-air Sidewinders and Sparrows plus carry Small Diameter Bombs and JDAMs along with other laser-guided munitions. An M61 Vulcan 20 mm Gatling-style rotary cannon is also included in the arsenal. The airplane also sports an electronic warfare suite with jamming and countermeasures.
History of the F-15 SeriesThe Vietnam War proved the Air Force needed an air superiority fighter that could best enemy airplanes and deliver the goods in close air support roles. This new airplane would replace the F-4 Phantom workhorse.
Designers and engineers worked on the two-year FX competition that had three entrants from Fairchild Hiller, North American Rockwell, and McDonnell Douglas in the late 1960s. McDonnell won the bid for the advanced tactical fighter program in 1969 because of its notable performance and affordable price.
“Streak Eagle” Was a Record-Setting MonsterDesigners and engineers were able to deliver an airplane in three years that met McDonnell’s promises and expectations. The F-15 became known as the Eagle and the first pilot flew it in 1972.
Later that year the fighter entered serial production. One of the first delivered F-15A models was nicknamed the “Streak Eagle.” This airplane blew away several records – numerous time-to-climb feats and high altitude flight. It could climb vertically with amazing thrust, which set it apart from other fighters.
Flying Low, Fast, and LethalThe Air Force loved this air superiority role, but acquisition chiefs wanted an F-15 that could fly low during close air support duties. This led to the F-15E Strike Eagle that first flew in 1986.
The Strike Eagle could carry 23,000 pounds of munitions and had a better navigation system and infrared targeting. That high MACH 2.5 speed came in handy.
The Israelis Went to Combat First with the F-15Israel was an early customer of the F-15, and like my video game, its air force flew against the Syrians. The Israeli F-15s shot down 50 Syrian airplanes in 1982 without losing a single F-15. The U.S.
Air Force’s F-15Cs and Ds had a perfect record against the Iraqis in Operation Desert Storm totaling 34 dogfighting wins in Cs, Ds, and Es against MiG-29s, and Mirage F-1s.