As a fast, long-range strike aircraft capable of penetrating defended airspace and delivering precise ground strikes, the F-15E may well be the most versatile aircraft in the US inventory.
While the original McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was designed strictly for air-to-air engagements, the later E-variant, the Strike Eagle, was designed as a dual-role fighter, capable of engaging targets on the ground and in the air.
Well-equipped to perform deep interdiction missions, the F-15E’s mission profile is highly distinct, including several critical phases: ingress to the target, target engagement, and recovery. Each mission stage leans upon the F-15E’s carefully selected sensors and weapons systems. When paired with tactical planning, the F-15E has demonstrated a high degree of success in contested environments.
The F-15E Strike Eagle’s Specifications
- Year Introduced: 1989
- Number Built: Approx. 513
- Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)
- Height: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
- Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)
- Weight: ~44,500–50,000 lb (20,185–22,680 kg) under standard conditions
- Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofans
- Thrust: ~29,000 lbf (129 kN) each with afterburner
- Top Speed: Mach 2.5+ (1,875+ mph / 3,017+ km/h) at altitude
- Range: ~2,400 mi (3,900 km) ferry range with conformal fuel tanks and drop tanks
- Combat radius: ~790 mi (1,270 km) with typical load
- Service Ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,300 m)
- Loadout:
- Max External Payload: ~23,000 lb (10,400 kg)
- Weapons Capacity Includes:
- Air-to-Air Missiles: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder
- Air-to-Ground Munitions: JDAMs, GBU-12/24 Paveway II/III, AGM-158 JASSM, AGM-130, AGM-65 Maverick
- Gun: 1× M61A1 Vulcan 20mm rotary cannon (510 rounds)
- Other: Can carry external fuel tanks, targeting pods (Sniper XR or LANTIRN), and electronic warfare pods
- Aircrew: 2 (Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer)
A Typical F-15 Eagle Mission, Explained
F-15E missions are planned extensively. Pilots and their weapon systems officers (WSO) are briefed on operational objectives, threat assessments, weather conditions, rules of engagement, and available support assets (AWACS, tankers, electronic warfare platforms). Flight routes are carefully planned with terrain-masking, used to reduce the likelihood of detection on enemy radar.
During ingress, the F-15E flies at medium to low altitude depending on the threat environment. The F-15E’s terrain-following radar allows for low-altitude flying even in poor weather or at night, whereby the jet can hug the contours of the terrain and avoid radar detection. En route to the target, the crew remains vigilant as they scan for both enemy fighters and surface-to-air (SAM) missile threats with onboard radar, electronic warfare systems, and data from allied platforms.
As the F-15E nears the target area, the WSO manages targeting systems such as the Sniper or LANTIRN targeting pods to acquire ground targets. The F-15E can carry a wide assortment of ammunition for ground targets such as GPS-guided JDAMs, laser-guided bombs, bunker-busting munitions, or stand-off weapons like the AGM-158 JASSM, which are assigned based on the specifics of the mission at hand.
One of the primary attributes of the F-15E is its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, often completing precision strikes while maintaining high flight speeds. The advantage of the two-crew system lies in its division of labor, allowing the pilot to focus on flying and/or threat evasion. At the same time, the WSO handles weapons delivery and sensor operations. The division of labor enhances mission effectiveness, despite the complexity of environments the F-15E often encounters.
After weapons are released, the F-15E begins the egress phase of the mission—rapidly exiting the target area to minimize exposure to enemy defenses. When needed, the crew will deploy countermeasures such as chaff, flares, and electronic jamming to evade radar or infrared-guided threats. Depending on the situation, the F-15E will typically depart using either terrain-following or a high-speed climb.
Upon returning to base, the F-15E crew completes a detailed debrief within which mission data is exhaustively reviewed, including weapons effectiveness, target damage assessment, and intelligence gaps.
The F-15E’s mission profile utilizes all of the aircraft’s impressive tools. As a fast, long-range strike aircraft capable of penetrating defended airspace and delivering precise ground strikes and engaging enemy aircraft, the F-15E may well be the most versatile aircraft in the US inventory. With a unique blend of speed, power, survivability, and sensor fusion, the F-15E is a cornerstone of US multi-role combat operations.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a Senior Defense and National Security Writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
