McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle: history and specifications

McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was designed for air superiority alone, on the principle of “not a pound for air-to-ground”. With more thrust than weight, it can accelerate in a vertical climb. It has more than 100 air-to-air victories, and no F-15 is known to have been shot down by an enemy aircraft.

The lesson of Vietnam

The F-15 was designed with the lessons of the heavy, unwieldy fighters of Vietnam in mind. Its large wing and powerful engines gave it both high speed and agility in a dogfight; it had a cockpit with an all-round view and a radar that could find distant targets even against ground clutter. In 1975 a specially prepared F-15 set a series of time-to-climb records.

McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle, side view — McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle: the in-game model from the side.

The unbeaten fighter

The F-15 fought its first air battle with the Israeli Air Force in 1979. Israeli, American and Saudi F-15s have recorded more than 100 air-to-air victories, and no F-15 is known to have been lost in air combat. The two-seat F-15E Strike Eagle, developed for ground attack, grew into almost a separate aircraft.

In WarSimBox

This aircraft cannot yet be flown in the game: it will enter the war in the next stage, together with radar and guided missiles. Its model and data can be inspected in the hangar.

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