What Is The F-15 Eagle?
The F-15 Eagle. Undefeated in air-to-air combat with over 100 victories, this twin-engine jet remains an aerial dominance icon.
United States
Origin
Air superiority
Role
Mach 2.5
Top speed
19,800 m
Service ceiling
F-15 Eagle Specifications
The Boeing F-15 Eagle is an undefeated air superiority fighter boasting over 100 aerial combat victories and zero air-to-air losses. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofans hitting Mach 2.5, it features a low wing-loading design and APG-63/82 radar for Beyond-Visual-Range lethality.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph)
Service ceiling
65,000 ft (19,800 m)
Combat radius
575 nmi (1,065 km)
Rate of climb
67,000 ft/min (340 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
63 ft 9 in (19.44 m)
Wingspan
42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)
Empty weight
28,000 lbs (12,700 kg)
Engine
2x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
27 July 1972
Unit cost
$30 million (F-15C)/$80+ million (F-15EX)
Operators
United States, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar
What Weapons Does The F-15 Eagle Carry?
The F-15 is armed with an internal 20mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon and 8 air-to-air missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder), utilising Beyond-Visual-Range pulse-Doppler radar tracking for dogfight dominance.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
M61A1 Vulcan
Category
20 mm Rotary Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (940 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
AIM-120 AMRAAM
Category
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 8 missiles
Range
160 km (99 miles)
AIM-9 Sidewinder
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
35 km (22 miles)
AIM-7 Sparrow
Category
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
70 km (43 miles)
GBU-31 JDAM
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (GPS)
Loadout
Up to 8 bombs (F-15E)
Range
24 km (15 miles)
AGM-158 JASSM
Category
Stand-Off Cruise Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles (F-15E)
Range
370 km (230 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The F-15 Eagle?
The F-15 reaches Mach 2.5, roughly 1,650 mph, making it the fastest multirole fighter in service and faster than both the F-22 and F-35 that followed it. Its thrust-to-weight ratio exceeds one at combat weight, meaning it can accelerate while climbing vertically. In 1975 a stripped F-15 named Streak Eagle broke eight time-to-climb records, several of which had been held by the MiG-25.
How Was The F-15 Eagle Developed?
The F-15 emerged from the FX programme launched after the appearance of the MiG-25, which Western analysts wrongly believed to be a highly manoeuvrable air superiority fighter. McDonnell Douglas designed around a simple brief: not a pound for air-to-ground. The result was a large, powerful, radar-equipped fighter optimised entirely for air combat. It first flew on 27 July 1972 and entered service in 1976.
Has The F-15 Eagle Seen Combat?
Israeli F-15s scored the type's first kills over Syria in 1979 and have accumulated the majority of its victories. American F-15s dominated Iraqi aircraft in the 1991 Gulf War, claiming 34 of the 39 USAF air-to-air kills. Saudi F-15s have engaged Iranian and Yemeni aircraft. In more than fifty years the type has never been lost in air-to-air combat.
Who Operates The F-15 Eagle?
The United States, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Qatar and Singapore all operate the F-15. Production continues with the F-15EX Eagle II for the USAF and export customers, more than fifty years after the prototype first flew.
F-15 Eagle FAQs
Common questions about the F-15 Eagle, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the F-15 Eagle as a civilian?
No, the F-15 Eagle is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the F-15 Eagle?
No, you cannot take the controls of the F-15 Eagle, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the F-15 Eagle cost?
The F-15 Eagle is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Is there a weight or height limit for a jet flight instead of the F-15 Eagle?
The F-15 Eagle is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the F-15 Eagle?
The F-15 Eagle is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the F-15 Eagle?
The F-15 Eagle is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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