Let Us Tell You Why the F-15 Fighter Is a Real Air Force Legend
Story by Maya Carlin • 3h ago
Meet the F-15: In July, the U.S. military celebrated the F-15 Eagle’s 50thanniversary. For decades, the formidable fighter served as the mainstay of the Air Force’s aerial arsenal due to its versatile and cutting-edge capabilities. The all-weather, super maneuverable tactical fighter can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and out-dogfight any current adversarial aircraft. Its advanced electronic warfare system, hefty weapons payload and high engine thrust-to-weight ratio have made the F-15 Eagle one of the deadliest and greatest fighters ever developed. In fact, the Eagle possesses a truly stunning 104 to 0 kill ratio.
Several variants have emerged from the original F-15 platform, even inspiring the F-35C, which has flown operationally in the majority of wars the Air Force has participated in over the years.
Where did the F-15C come from?
The F-15C is an enhanced variation of the original single-seat air superiority fighter. During the mid-1960s, the F-15 Eagle became the product of the Fighter Experimental (FX) concept. During the Vietnam War, the Department of Defense recognized the need for the U.S. to possess a dedicated air-superiority fighter. While the F-4 Phantom could perform a small air-to-air role in its overall mission, the requirement for a fighter to feature unmatched maneuverability in addition to top-notch weaponry and avionics was only fulfilled by the F-15.
Designed by the defense giant McDonnell Douglas, the F-15 Eagle became the Air Force’s premier fighter instantaneously. In 1972, the F-15A took its first flight and was delivered to the 58thTactical Fighter Training Wing two years later. “Three hundred and sixty-five F-15As were built before production of the F-15C began in 1978. In January 1982, the 48th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Langley Air Force Base became the first Air Force air defense squadron to transition to the F-15.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/let-us-tell-you-why-the-f-15-fighter-is-a-real-air-force-legend/ar-AA15jqY2?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=e2b3f1dbcbc144e6bd5c57270822e02e
