F-15 The Eagle

The first F-15 flight, involving the original model single-seater, took place in July 1972.

The most recent model, the F-15E, is called the Strike Eagle and sometimes the Beagle. It can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It can fly low, which enables the weapons officer to address ground targets while also identifying and striking at air threats.

The Air Force fact sheet on the F-15 says its avionics system “includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultra-high frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, ‘identification friend or foe’ system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.” The Air Force has more than 500 of the combat aircraft.

The Eagle is a two-seat tactical fighter, powered by two turbofan engines. It is supersonic, flying at a rate of 1,875 miles per hour (Mach 2.5) at an altitude of 65,000 feet. It is more than 63 feet long with a wingspan of nearly 43 feet.