The targeting pod contains a laser designator and a tracking system that mark an enemy for destruction at long ranges. Once tracking has been started, targeting information is automatically handed off to GPS or laser-guided bombs.
One of the most important additions to the F-15E is the rear cockpit with the weapons systems officer. On four screens, this officer can display information from the radar, electronic warfare or infrared sensors, monitor aircraft or weapons status and possible threats, select targets and use an electronic "moving map" to navigate. Two hand controls are used to select new displays and to refine targeting information. Displays can be moved from one screen to another, chosen from a menu of display options.
In addition to three similar screens in the front seat, the pilot has a transparent glass heads-up display at eye level that displays vital flight and tactical information. The pilot doesn't need to look down into the cockpit, for example, to check weapon status. At night, the screen is even more important because it displays a video picture nearly identical to a daylight view of the world generated by the forward-looking infrared sensor.
The F-15E is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 engines that incorporate advanced digital technology for improved performance. For example, with a digital electronic engine control system, F-15E pilots can accelerate from idle power to maximum afterburner in less than four seconds, a 40 percent improvement over the previous engine control system. Faster engine acceleration means quicker takeoffs and crisper response while maneuvering. The F100-PW-220 engines can produce 50,000 pounds of thrust (25,000 each) and the F100-PW-229 engines 58,000 pounds of thrust (29,000 each).
Each of the low-drag conformal fuel tanks that hug the F-15E's fuselage can carry 750 gallons of fuel. The tanks hold weapons on short pylons rather than conventional weapon racks, reducing drag and further extending the range of the Strike Eagle.
For air-to-ground missions, the F-15E can carry most weapons in the Air Force inventory. It also can be armed with AIM-9M Sidewinders or AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, or AMRAAM for the air-to-air role. The "E" model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun that can carry up to 500 rounds.
Background
The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through its high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low-wing loading. It was the first U.S. operational aircraft whose engines' thrust exceeded the plane's loaded weight, permitting it to accelerate even while in vertical climb. Low-wing loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.
The first flight of the F-15A was made in July 1972. In November 1974, the first Eagle was delivered to the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where training began in both F-15A and B aircraft. In January 1976, the first F-15 destined for a combat squadron was delivered to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Virginia.
The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory in 1979 and were first delivered to Kadena Air Base, Japan. These models were equipped with production Eagle package improvements, including 2,000 pounds of additional internal fuel, provisions for carrying exterior conformal fuel tanks and increased maximum takeoff weight of 68,000 pounds.
The first production model of the F-15E was delivered to the 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke AFB, Arizona, in April 1988.
General Characteristics
Primary function: Air-to-ground attack aircraft
Contractor: The Boeing Company
Power plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 turbofan engines with afterburners
Thrust: 25,000 - 29,000 pounds each engine
Wingspan: 42.8 feet (13 meters)
Length: 63.8 feet (19.44 meters)
Height: 18.5 feet (5.6 meters)
Weight: 37,500 pounds ( 17,010 kilograms)
Maximum takeoff weight: 81,000 pounds (36,450 kilograms)
Fuel capacity: 35,550 pounds (three external tanks plus conformal fuel tanks)
Payload: depends upon mission
Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2.5 plus)
Range: 2,400 miles (3,840 kilometers) ferry range with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Ceiling: 60,000 feet (18,288 meters)
Armament: One 20mm multibarrel gun mounted internally with 500 rounds of ammunition. Four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and four AIM-120 AMRAAM or eight AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. Any air-to-surface weapon in the Air Force inventory (nuclear and conventional)
Crew: Pilot and weapon systems officer
Unit cost: $31.1 million (fiscal year 98 constant dollars)
Initial operating capability: September 1989
Inventory: 219 total force
A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle Flies above the Mariana Islands in support of exercise Valiant Shield 18, Sept. 18, 2018. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces in relation to current operational plans. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Bumpus)
A row of F-15 Eagles, deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, for exercise Tandem Thrust 03, line up before takeoff April 24. The exercise is a joint endeavor conducted in the Marianas Islands including forces from the U.S., Canada and Australia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Photo by Airman 1st Class Abby M. Young)
Personnel can report any and all suspicious activities by calling 801-777-3056. Suspicious activities observed and then reported through the Eagle Eyes program are immediately shared with local law enforcement agencies, counter-terrorism personnel and military commanders for rapid assessment and investigation.
Suspicious activities observed and then reported through the Eagle Eyes program are immediately shared with local law enforcement agencies, counter-terrorism personnel and military commanders for rapid assessment and investigation.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigation administers an Air Force-wide program called Eagle Eyes. It's an anti-terrorism initiative that teaches individuals how to identify and report possible terrorist activity. The program provides a 24-hour hotline, allowing information to be reported as soon as suspicious activity occurs. Reports are disseminated among federal and local law agencies, as well as to commanders, in order to ensure appropriate action is taken. If something looks out of place, don't hesitate to report it. Alert the proper authorities through all channels possible. Any information can be helpful. It is always better to report an incident to security and law enforcement officials. Visit the Eagle Eyes website to learn more about the program or to report suspicious activity.
In the mid-1970s, Islamic fundamentalists led by the exiled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini began to oppose the pro-American Iranian government under Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi. Approximately 44,000 U.S. citizens, including nearly 10,000 military, civilian, and contract personnel, lived in Iran during the summer of 1978, when protests against the Iranian government significantly increased. As protests continued into the fall, the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed the U.S. Air Force's Military Airlift Command (MAC) to evacuate all dependents who wished to leave. On December 8 and 9, 1978, 11 MAC C-141s and C-5 s evacuated 903 people to the United States and Germany. When conditions failed to improve, the USAF increased the number of MAC flights to evacuate U.S. dependents. The Shah abdicated on January 16, 1979, and the Ayatollah returned from exile on February 1, setting the stage for the establishment of an Islamic state. By February 10, 1979, a total of 34 C-5 and 87 C-141 flights had evacuated 5,732 people from Iran while the Joint Chiefs mobilized helicopters, C-130 aircraft, and a contingent of U.S. Marines in case the U.S. Embassy in Tehran needed evacuation.
On February 14, 1979, armed Iranians stormed the embassy and took 102 Americans hostage. After the Ayatollah's forces intervened and returned control of the embassy to the United States, they allowed the USAF to fly one final C-141 evacuation mission. After that, the U.S. State Department chartered 13 commercial Boeing 747 airliners, which flew an additional 4,099 people out of the country. By March 1, 1979, the U.S. government decided to evacuate all of its citizens except for a minimal staff at the embassy and at several corporate headquarters. Through the rest of the year tensions remained high and in the autumn the U.S. government allowed the exiled Shah to receive cancer treatment in the United States. That action angered many Iranians, and frustration boiled over on November 4, 1979, when Iranians again seized the embassy, along with the Iranian Foreign Ministry, and took 66 U.S. personnel hostage. Thirteen hostages were later released, leaving 53 remaining in Iranian custody. For the remainder of his term, President James E. Carter, Jr., sought their release through a variety of means. None were successful and he soon turned to the U.S. military. After considering several options, President Carter decided to authorize a military rescue operation.
Because the U.S. military had no force ready to conduct such an operation in an area in which the United States had few bases or resources, the mission required five months of intensive planning by personnel from all service branches and the Central Intelligence Agency before receiving the President's approval. Known as Operation Eagle Claw, it called for three USAF MC-130s to carry a 118-man assault force from Masirah Island near Oman in the Persian Gulf to a remote spot 200 miles southeast of Tehran, code-named Desert One. Accompanying the MC-130s were three USAF EC-130s which served as fuel transports. The MC-130s planned to rendezvous with eight RH-53D helicopters from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. After refueling and loading the assault team, the helicopters would fly to a location 65 miles from Tehran, where the assault team would go into hiding. The next night, the team, dependent upon trusted agents, drivers, and translators, would be picked up and driven the rest of the way to the embassy compound. After storming the embassy, the team and the freed hostages would rally at either the embassy compound or a nearby soccer stadium to be picked up by the helicopter force. The helicopters would then transport them to Manzariyeh, 35 miles to the south, by that time secured by a team of U.S. Army Rangers. Once at Manzariyeh USAF C-141 transports would fly the assault team and hostages out of Iran while the Rangers destroyed the remaining equipment (including the helicopters) and prepared for their own aerial departure. An extremely complex operation, Eagle Claw depended on everything going according to plan. Any deviation could cause the entire operation to unravel with possibly tragic consequences.
In the weeks before the mission, USAF combat controllers covertly deployed into Iran to prepare the landing site at Desert One. The mission began on April 24, 1980, when the first MC-130, carrying the mission commander and USAF combat controllers, arrived at the landing site. The combat controllers were tasked with establishing the airstrips and marshalling the aircraft once they had landed. Soon after the first MC-130 arrived, the plan began to fall apart. First, a passenger bus approached on a highway bisecting the landing zone. The advance party was forced to stop the vehicle and detain its 45 passengers. Soon, a fuel truck came down the highway. When it failed to stop, the Americans fired a light anti-tank weapon which set the tanker on fire and lit the surrounding area. Finally, a pickup truck approached but turned around and departed the area. The assault team commanders, however, decided to continue with the mission. Soon the other five MC-130s aircraft arrived at Desert One to wait for the helicopters. The RH-53 helicopters departed the Nimitz and were en route to Desert One. During the flight, two helicopters aborted because of flight instrument and mechanical problems while the pilot of a third helicopter decided to continue on to Desert One despite hydraulic problems. Soon the remaining six helicopters encountered an unexpected severe dust storm and proceeded individually to Desert One, arriving nearly an hour behind schedule.
Once at Desert One, the RH-53 with hydraulic problems could not be repaired, which left the team with one less helicopter than was required to carry the assault team and hostages. With just five helicopters available, the on-scene commander aborted the mission. The plan then shifted to getting the assault team back on the MC-130s while the helicopters refueled and returned to the Nimitz. At that point, tragedy struck. One of the helicopter's rotor blades inadvertently collided with a fuel-laden EC-130. Both aircraft exploded, killing five airmen on the EC-130 and three marines on the RH-53. The team commanders ordered the remaining helicopters abandoned and everyone to board the EC-130s, which soon departed for Masirah Island. With that, Operation Eagle Claw came to an end. President Carter was notified of the mission's failure, and the wreckage at Desert One was broadcast to the world by the Iranian government. In the remaining months of his presidency President Carter continued to work toward the hostages' release, although the government of Iran did not do so until the day of President Ronald W. Reagan's inauguration on January 20, 1981.
A number of significant lessons were learned from Operation Eagle Claw, which led to the establishment of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and its USAF component, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The operation also highlighted the necessity of Joint planning and training.
Capt Gregory Ball, USAFR, Ph.D.
For more information see:
"Crisis in Iran: Operation Eagle Claw" by Edward T. Russell, from the publication: Short of War: Major USAF Contingency Operations 1947-1997.
"Air Force Combat Controllers at Desert One", by Forrest Marion, from Air Power History, Spring 2009.
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