Boeing Fighter Aircraft
Boeing: Fighters / Boeing: Transport / Boeing: Several Aircraft
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle / Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet / Boeing EF-18G Growler
Boeing AV-8B Harrier II / Boeing P-26 Peashooter
Boeing 4 Fighter
Boeing: Trainer: Boeing/Saab T-7A Redhawk
In January 1965, Secretary McNamara asked the Air Force to consider a new low-cost tactical fighter design for short-range roles and close air support to replace several types like the F-100 Super Sabre and various light bombers then in service. Several existing designs could fill this role; the Navy favored the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and LTV A-7 Corsair II, which were pure attack aircraft, while the Air Force was more interested in the Northrop F-5 fighter with a secondary attack capability. The A-4 and A-7 were more capable in the attack role, while the F-5 less so, but could defend itself. If the Air Force chose a pure attack design, maintaining air superiority would be a priority for a new airframe. The next month, a report on light tactical aircraft suggested the Air Force purchase the F-5 or A-7, and consider a new higher-performance aircraft to ensure its air superiority. This point was reinforced after the loss of two Republic F-105 Thunderchief aircraft to obsolete MiG-17s on 4 April 1965
The F-15 has an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage with a large-cantilever, shoulder-mounted wing. The wing planform of the F-15 suggests a modified cropped delta shape with a leading-edge sweepback angle of 45°. Ailerons and a simple high-lift flap are located on the trailing edge. No leading-edge maneuvering flaps are used. This complication was avoided by the combination of low wing loading and fixed leading-edge camber that varies with spanwise position along the wing. Airfoil thickness ratios vary from 6% at the root to 3% at the tip
Role | Air superiority fighter, multirole combat aircraft |
---|---|
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas Boeing Defense, Space & Security |
First flight | 27 July 1972; 48 years ago |
Introduction | 9 January 1976; 45 years ago |
Status | In service |
Primary users | United States Air Force Japan Air Self-Defense Force Royal Saudi Air Force Israeli Air Force |
Produced | 1972–present |
Number built | F-15A/B/C/D/J/DJ: 1,198[1] |
Variants | McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle McDonnell Douglas F-15 STOL/MTD Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle Mitsubishi F-15J |
The F-15 can trace its origins to the early Vietnam War, when the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fought each other over future tactical aircraft. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara was pressing for both services to use as many common aircraft as possible, even if performance compromises were involved. As part of this policy, the USAF and Navy had embarked on the TFX (F-111) program, aiming to deliver a medium-range interdiction aircraft for the Air Force that would also serve as a long-range interceptor aircraft for the Navy.[5
General characteristics
Performance