One of the planes that is a source of pride for the American Air Force. An F-15 Eagle, an extremely maneuverable tactical fighter, was shot down by Iranian forces on Friday. This is the first time since the beginning of the War in the Middle East that an American plane has been lost in combat.
The plane, identified as an F-15, was targeted while flying over central Iran, in the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. The pilot managed to eject and was successfully rescued during a raid, but the aviator himself has not yet been located.
Initially, the Iranian agency Tasnim had indicated that it was an F-35, described by Donald Trump as an “almost invisible fighter.” But the photos and videos released suggest that it is more likely an F-15 Eagle, according to Axios.
A mission: to win and maintain superiority in the air
Designed in the 1970s, the F-15 Eagle is a tactical fighter aircraft designed to ensure air superiority, as summarized by the US Air Force. Its mission is to pursue and destroy enemy aircraft, day or night and in any weather, to enable the United States to win and maintain superiority in the air on the battlefield.
Its strengths include a speed of up to Mach 2 (3020 km/h), high maneuverability, and significant payload capacity. Its high thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading allow it to perform tight turns without losing speed.
Another strong point of the F-15 Eagle is its advanced avionics system. Its heads-up display allows the pilot to track essential information without losing sight of the target. In addition, its Doppler pulse radar can detect and track targets over long distances, including at low altitudes.
An aircraft capable of carrying multiple missiles
In terms of armament, the American aircraft can carry several air-to-air missiles, including four AIM-120 AMRAAM and four AIM-9 Sidewinder, or a 20mm M-61A1 cannon. Its automated system allows for quick switching between different weapon types in combat mode.
According to the US Air Force, the cost of an aircraft is around $27.9 million for the early versions (F-15 A and B) and $29.9 million for the F-15 C and D, in constant values since 1998.
The more recent F-35 has a different philosophy. It aims to be more stealthy and harder to detect than an F-15, with a lower radar signature. The aircraft is also slower. Its speed is Mach 1.6 (approximately 1930 km/h). Both aircraft are often considered complementary within the US aviation.
Several versions of the F-15 Eagle have been released since its entry into service in 1976. “The F-15C, D, and E were deployed in the Persian Gulf in 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm, where they demonstrated their combat superiority,” says the US Air Force. “The F-15C achieved 34 of the 37 US Air Force air victories,” the US Air Force continues, noting that the aircraft were also deployed in southern Iraq, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
The incident in central Iran on Friday could mark a symbolic turning point for this aircraft known for its performance. In late March, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have hit and severely damaged an American F-35 in Iranian skies.
