# McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

The **McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle** is a two-seat, twin-engine dual-role fighter of the [United States Air Force](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-states-air-force), designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including long-range interdiction at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.<sup>[1](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/%20/lang/f-15e-strike-eagle/)</sup> Developed from the F-15 air superiority fighter by [McDonnell Douglas](https://www.edgepedia.org/mcdonnell-douglas) (now Boeing), it was selected in 1984 over the [F-16XL](https://www.edgepedia.org/general-dynamics-f-16xl) in the Air Force's Dual-Role Fighter competition and first delivered to operational units in December 1988.<sup>[2](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/elegance_in_flight.pdf?emrc=f8edbf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://janes.migavia.com/usa/mdc/f-15e.html)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Dual-role fighter for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions; can fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy ground positions, and fight its way out<sup>[1](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/%20/lang/f-15e-strike-eagle/)</sup> |
| Crew | Two: a pilot in the front seat and a weapon systems officer in the rear<sup>[1](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/%20/lang/f-15e-strike-eagle/)</sup> |
| First delivery | 29 December 1988, to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; wing declared operational October 1989<sup>[3](https://janes.migavia.com/usa/mdc/f-15e.html)</sup> |
| Dual-Role Fighter decision | Announced 24 February 1984; the Air Force planned 392 F-15Es at an incremental acquisition cost of $1.5 billion<sup>[2](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/elegance_in_flight.pdf?emrc=f8edbf)</sup> |
| Desert Storm record | 2,172 sorties flown, 2,124 targets struck in Iraq and Kuwait; two F-15E aircraft lost<sup>[4](https://www.iraqiairforcememorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-1991.pdf)</sup> |
| Fleet plan | Retain an F-15E fleet of 99 aircraft with the F100-PW-229 engine and divest aircraft with -220 engines only; 99 EPAWSS electronic warfare kits funded<sup>[5](https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025-28_Force_Structure_Changes_Exhibit.pdf)</sup> |
| Radar upgrade | The Radar Modernization Program replaces the legacy APG-70 mechanically scanned radar with the APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array<sup>[6](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/486296/f-15e-takes-first-flight-with-new-radar-system/)</sup> |

## Development

The Strike Eagle began as an industry-funded demonstration. By early 1981 McDonnell-Douglas had built an F-15 Advanced Fighter Capability Demonstrator from F-15B serial 71-0291, first flown on July 8, 1980, and popularly named the "Strike Eagle," a name that carried over to the production aircraft. Demonstrated with [conformal fuel tanks](https://www.edgepedia.org/conformal-fuel-tank) and an air-to-ground load of 22 Rockeye dispensers plus four [AIM-9 Sidewinder](https://www.edgepedia.org/aim-9-sidewinder) missiles for self-defense, it drew favorable Air Force reviews, including a flight report by Vietnam ace Steve Ritchie.<sup>[2](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/elegance_in_flight.pdf?emrc=f8edbf)</sup>

The Air Force's Enhanced Tactical Fighter requirement, first proposed in its fiscal 1980 budget, was reworked after Congress declined to fund it, becoming a derivative development of an existing fighter. The competition paired the F-15E against [General Dynamics](https://www.edgepedia.org/general-dynamics)' cranked-arrow-wing F-16XL. On February 24, 1984, the Air Force announced the F-15E as the Dual-Role Fighter winner, citing the need to operate over long ranges in adverse weather, day or night. The service planned to acquire 392 aircraft.<sup>[2](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/elegance_in_flight.pdf?emrc=f8edbf)</sup>

Flight testing continued through the early 1980s: the industry-funded prototype completed accurate blind weapons delivery trials at Edwards and Eglin Air Force Bases in 1982, and product improvements were tested on the Strike Eagle, an F-15C, and an F-15D between November 1982 and April 1983, including a first take-off at 34,019 kg (75,000 lb), 3,175 kg (7,000 lb) more than an F-15C with conformal tanks. The first production F-15E (86-183) flew on December 11, 1986.<sup>[3](https://janes.migavia.com/usa/mdc/f-15e.html)</sup>

## Design and systems

The F-15E carries a pilot and a [weapon systems officer](https://www.edgepedia.org/weapon-systems-officer), whereas earlier F-15 models are assigned air-to-air roles. Its navigation system uses a laser gyro and a [Global Positioning System](https://www.edgepedia.org/global-positioning-system) to continuously monitor position and feed the central computer and a digital moving map in both cockpits. The APG-70 radar lets crews detect ground targets at long range; after sweeping a target area the crew can freeze the air-to-ground map and return to air-to-air mode to clear for air threats.<sup>[1](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/%20/lang/f-15e-strike-eagle/)</sup>

The LANTIRN system, two pods mounted on the exterior of the aircraft, gives the F-15E weapons-delivery accuracy day or night and in poor weather.<sup>[1](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/%20/lang/f-15e-strike-eagle/)</sup> Beyond strike, the aircraft's mission set includes close air support, time-sensitive and dynamic targeting, destruction of enemy air defenses, offensive and defensive counter air, homeland defense, non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and air interdiction.<sup>[7](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D301-PURL-LPS81703/pdf/GOVPUB-D301-PURL-LPS81703.pdf)</sup>

## Operational history

**Desert Storm.** The F-15E entered service only months before Iraq invaded Kuwait, and a "Desert Eagle Team" of Air Force and contractor technicians hurriedly prepared the new aircraft for combat. During Operation Desert Storm the F-15E flew with a 95.5 percent fully mission-capable rate under adverse conditions.<sup>[8](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D-PURL-gpo188674/pdf/GOVPUB-D-PURL-gpo188674.pdf)</sup> F-15Es flew 2,172 sorties and struck 2,124 targets in Iraq and Kuwait; two F-15E aircraft were lost.<sup>[4](https://www.iraqiairforcememorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-1991.pdf)</sup> The 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron's crews employed the first laser-guided bomb used in combat by the F-15E and claimed the first Strike Eagle air-to-air victory, and an F-15E of the 335th destroyed an Iraqi Mi-24 Hind helicopter with a laser-guided bomb.<sup>[9](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/660249/desert-storm-the-strike-eagles-opening-act/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[10](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1027120/strike-eagle-still-soars-after-30-years/)</sup> One airframe, serial 89-0487, remains the only F-15E in Air Force inventory credited with an air-to-air kill.<sup>[11](https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/455th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/275181/487-more-than-just-paint/)</sup>

The aircraft later saw action in the skies above the former [Yugoslavia](https://www.edgepedia.org/yugoslavia) (as part of Deny Flight and Allied Force), Iraq (through Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, and Iraqi Freedom), and Afghanistan (during Enduring Freedom).<sup>[7](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D301-PURL-LPS81703/pdf/GOVPUB-D301-PURL-LPS81703.pdf)</sup> Strike Eagles hit Afghan targets in [Operation Enduring Freedom](https://www.edgepedia.org/operation-enduring-freedom) and performed air-to-ground missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.<sup>[12](https://www.boeing.com/content/dam/boeing/v2/company/history/pdf/Boeing_Products.pdf)</sup> On a deployment by the 335th Fighter Squadron, F-15E aircrems logged over 9,250 hours in combat, released upwards of 2,000 bombs, and eliminated over 80 high-value ISIL figures.<sup>[10](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1027120/strike-eagle-still-soars-after-30-years/)</sup>

**Operation Epic Fury.** In the 40-day campaign against Iran that began February 28, 2026, a Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18 mistakenly shot down three F-15E Strike Eagles over Kuwait on March 1-2; all six aircrew ejected and were recovered. A fourth F-15E was shot down over Iran on April 3, with both crew members recovered in separate search-and-rescue operations. The rescue of that crew employed hundreds of personnel and roughly 176 aircraft.<sup>[13](https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/05/22/congressional-report-tallies-42-us-aircraft-lost-or-damaged-in-operation-epic-fury/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[14](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-f15-rescue-caine-trump)</sup> A Congressional Research Service report tallied 42 U.S. aircraft lost or damaged in the campaign overall.<sup>[13](https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/05/22/congressional-report-tallies-42-us-aircraft-lost-or-damaged-in-operation-epic-fury/)</sup>

## Modernization and fleet plans

The Radar Modernization Program replaces the F-15E's more than 20-year-old APG-70 mechanically scanned radar with the APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array, retaining legacy functionality while adding expanded mission capabilities.<sup>[6](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/486296/f-15e-takes-first-flight-with-new-radar-system/)</sup> The Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS), the electronic warfare suite that will equip all F-15EXs and retained F-15Es, reached its first F-15E milestone when two equipped aircraft arrived at [RAF Lakenheath](https://www.edgepedia.org/raf-lakenheath), England, on January 16, 2025.<sup>[15](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4034876/first-f-15e-strike-eagles-equipped-with-advanced-epawss-system-arrive-at-libert/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[16](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-15ex-electronic-warfare-suite-supply-chain-issues/)</sup> The Government Accountability Office has reported that EPAWSS suffers from vanishing vendor syndrome supply issues and difficulty installing the system on legacy aircraft.<sup>[16](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-15ex-electronic-warfare-suite-supply-chain-issues/)</sup> To speed installation, the Air Force established a dedicated EPAWSS Speedline at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, slated to receive its first aircraft in June 2026.<sup>[17](https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4500511/air-force-launches-epawss-speedline-to-accelerate-f-15e-modernization/)</sup>

The Air Force's force structure plan calls for maintaining an F-15E fleet of 99 aircraft with the more powerful F100-PW-229 engine, divesting only aircraft with -220 engines, and shifting resources toward newer fighters; the FY 2025 budget initiated partial divestment of the F-15E fleet while funding 99 EPAWSS kits.<sup>[5](https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025-28_Force_Structure_Changes_Exhibit.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[18](https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025_Weapons.pdf)</sup> Legislation has moved to restrain this: a Senate bill would bar the Secretary from retiring any F-15E before the end of fiscal year 2026, and the 2025 [National Defense Authorization Act](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-defense-authorization-act) limits F-15 divestment to maintain fleet levels.<sup>[19](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119s1071eah/html/BILLS-119s1071eah.htm)</sup> Against this backdrop, the 4th Fighter Wing returned an overhauled and modernized F-15E, tail A1688, to the operational fleet on May 28, 2026, after six major avionics modifications and major structural work at depot maintenance, securing the airframe's protected status against near-term divestment.<sup>[20](https://www.dvidshub.net/news/567878/f-15e-strike-eagle-returns-seymour-johnson-secures-place-protected-fleet)</sup>

## References

1. [F-15E Strike Eagle Fact Sheet, U.S. Air Force](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/%20/lang/f-15e-strike-eagle/)
2. [Albert C. Piccirillo, Elegance in Flight: A Comprehensive History of the F-16XL Experimental Prototype, NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/elegance_in_flight.pdf?emrc=f8edbf)
3. [McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle, Jane's (via migavia)](https://janes.migavia.com/usa/mdc/f-15e.html)
4. [The Second Gulf War 1991 (Iraqi Air Force memorial compilation)](https://www.iraqiairforcememorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-1991.pdf)
5. [FY2025-28 Force Structure Changes Exhibit, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)](https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025-28_Force_Structure_Changes_Exhibit.pdf)
6. [F-15E takes first flight with new radar system, U.S. Air Force](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/486296/f-15e-takes-first-flight-with-new-radar-system/)
7. [F-15E Strike Eagle fact sheet, govinfo](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D301-PURL-LPS81703/pdf/GOVPUB-D301-PURL-LPS81703.pdf)
8. [The United States Air Force: Desert Eagle Team account, govinfo](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D-PURL-gpo188674/pdf/GOVPUB-D-PURL-gpo188674.pdf)
9. [Desert Storm: The Strike Eagle's opening act, Air Combat Command](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/660249/desert-storm-the-strike-eagles-opening-act/)
10. [Strike Eagle still soars after 30 years, Air Combat Command](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1027120/strike-eagle-still-soars-after-30-years/)
11. ['487' more than just paint, U.S. Air Forces Central](https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/455th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/275181/487-more-than-just-paint/)
12. [F-15 Eagle Tactical Fighter, Boeing history](https://www.boeing.com/content/dam/boeing/v2/company/history/pdf/Boeing_Products.pdf)
13. [Congressional report tallies 42 US aircraft lost or damaged in Operation Epic Fury, Defense News](https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/05/22/congressional-report-tallies-42-us-aircraft-lost-or-damaged-in-operation-epic-fury/)
14. [U.S. launched "air armada" to rescue F-15 crew in Iran, Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-f15-rescue-caine-trump)
15. [First F-15E Strike Eagles equipped with Advanced EPAWSS system arrive at Liberty Wing, U.S. Air Force](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4034876/first-f-15e-strike-eagles-equipped-with-advanced-epawss-system-arrive-at-libert/)
16. [F-15EX and Its Electronic Warfare Suite Face Supply Chain Issues, Air & Space Forces Magazine](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-15ex-electronic-warfare-suite-supply-chain-issues/)
17. [Air Force launches EPAWSS Speedline to accelerate F-15E modernization, Air Force Materiel Command](https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4500511/air-force-launches-epawss-speedline-to-accelerate-f-15e-modernization/)
18. [FY2025 Weapons Programs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)](https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2025/FY2025_Weapons.pdf)
19. [S.1071EAH, National Defense Authorization Act text, govinfo](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119s1071eah/html/BILLS-119s1071eah.htm)
20. [F-15E Strike Eagle returns to Seymour Johnson, secures place in protected fleet, DVIDS](https://www.dvidshub.net/news/567878/f-15e-strike-eagle-returns-seymour-johnson-secures-place-protected-fleet)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Aviation › Military aviation › Military aircraft by type and era › Fighter aircraft › United States fighters*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license