The F-15 Eagle is an aircraft of legends, holding a distinguished place in the annals of aerial combat.

With a combat record that boasts over 100 victories and no losses in aerial engagements, the F-15’s legacy is that of an unrivaled air superiority fighter that has dominated the skies from its inception to the present day.

In the crucible of the Cold War, geopolitical tensions spurred the United States to develop a fighter that could match and surpass the then-pioneering Soviet aircraft.

The conflict in Vietnam had already highlighted the urgency for a more agile and swift fighter. It was the revelation of the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat, a machine capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.0, that intensified this race.

The F-15 Eagle was the U.S. response—a testament to American ingenuity and technological prowess.

McDonnell Douglas, having won the contract in 1969, delivered an aircraft that would revolutionize air combat. The F-15’s first flight was on July 27, 1972, marking the beginning of an era.

With twin Pratt & Whitney F100-P-220 engines, the F-15 held the distinction as the fastest jet fighter in the U.S. military, capable of reaching 1,875 mph—Mach 2.5.

Its advanced radar systems, such as the AN/APG-63, enabled detection of enemy aircraft over 200 miles away, and its weapons systems were equally formidable, incorporating an array of missiles and a multi-barrel gun.

The Eagle’s enduring design saw upgrades and iterations, including the F-15C/D models and the more advanced F-15E Strike Eagle, which carried an extensive weapons package for both air-to-air and air-to-surface engagements.

As conflicts evolved, so too did the F-15, participating in operations from Desert Storm to Enduring Freedom.

Israeli F-15s, in particular, have a distinguished combat history, with the first air-to-air kill in 1979 and an incredible incident in 1983 when an F-15 successfully landed with only one wing after a mid-air collision during a training exercise—a testament to its extraordinary engineering.

This resilience and capability have not only kept the F-15 in service but have prompted continued production and modernization.

Boeing, which took over production from McDonnell Douglas, is set to deliver the F-15EX Eagle II.

This latest variant is slated to include state-of-the-art upgrades such as the Open Mission System for easy future updates, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, fly-by-wire flight controls, and a pair of General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, providing 29,000 pounds of thrust each, an increase of 7,000 pounds over the F-15A

Exported globally, the F-15 has served numerous allies, from Israel to Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Singapore.

Relevant articles:
– What Made The F-15 Eagle Jet A Legend Of The Skies, SlashGear
– Badass Fighter Jet: What’s So Cool About The F-15?, simpleflying.com
– The full story of the F-15 pilot who landed with one wing, Sandboxx
– 9/11 First Responder, Pacific Coast Air Museum