Why the US still needs the F-15

The F-15 first flew in 1972, and fifty years later, the US Air Force is still flying F-15 Eagles in Europe. An upgraded model – the F-15EX Eagle II – is due to begin deploying in the next few months, potentially extending the lifespan of the F-15 until the 2050s, 90 years after the first F-15 took to the skies. Despite operating in every major conflict of the last forty years and scoring more than 100 kills, an F-15 has never been downed by enemy action. So what makes the F-15 Eagle so formidable? And are we justified in suggesting that the F-15 is the greatest fighter jet of all time?

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CREDITS
F-15 Primecuts, by Travis Burcham, via DVIDS-
James McDonnell, SDASM Archives, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
F-15 Baz, Davidi Vardi Pikiwiki Israel, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Operation Litani VIII / IDF Spokesperson's Unit
National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A F-15 fighter jet piloted by then-Maj. Wilbert 'Doug' Pearson Jr. flies an ASM-135 anti-satellite missile on Sept. 13, 1985: Paul E. Reynolds/U.S. Air Force photo
Paul E. Reynolds, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Technicians with Explorer 1, Public domain, via Jet Propulsion Laboratory
F-15s of the Israeli Air Force, Public domain, via IDF Spokesperson's Unit

[ralph.aguinaldomd]

The F15 is nearly 50 years old and still looks modern. Truly a timeless machine 👀

[Planner]

The F-15 is truly the greatest fighter of all time. Not only is it still operational after 50 years, it is still in production. Countries with vast resources, including the US and Israel, are not continuing to purchase the F-15 because that is all that is available to them. Rather, they continue to purchase F-15s because it remains extremely valuable and can fulfill a variety of roles that other aircraft cannot. Finally, not a single F-15 has been lost in combat. It is truly a legendary aircraft.

[scotw]

I love these Imperial War Museum videos, thank you for making them.

[micksmithson]

"The new engines can produce 29, 000lbs of thrust, 5000 tonnes more than the F-15E's engines".
Yeah that seems like an error ;)

[Mustapha]

Consider this: the F-15 was first tested in the early 1970s and first deployed in the late 1970s- and, through constant technological upgrades, is still a first-line fighter today. This is roughly akin to taking a Sopwith Camel and using it in Vietnam.

[steveward]

Had the homour and pleasure of a session in the Eagle Driver simulator when it was at Lakenheath thanks to a good friend who was in the 492nd "Bolars", thanks again "Bulldog" ... 👍

[SanDiegoHarry]

let's be honest... the EX is to the MudHen what the Rhino is to the F/A-18. It's a whole new weapon's system disguised as an update.

[richardhendroff]

Hattie Hearn, thank you so much for your enthralling, passionate and well researched story of the F 15! It's thanks to you that the story of our technical achievements and history is passed on successfully in the most fitting environment of the museum and its artefacts. Thank you again from Perth Western Australia :)

[Iskelderon]

Sadly, the F-22, which was supposed to be the F-15 for the new century, was never produced in high enough numbers. Therefore, the 15 gets upgrade after upgrade.

[lastguy]

To become a space ace he'd have to shoot down five satellites i believe..

[davydatwood]

As a Canadian, patriotism requires me to argue that the greatest fighter jet of all time was the CF-105 Arrow - but I'll concede the F-15 is the greatest fighter jet to actually enter production. :)

[reconhippy]

Awesome vid. I'm visiting the IWM next time in UK

[andrewtuff]

Super video, easy to follow (they aren’t always) and what a great original design! Thanks for posting.

[isgawd]

The USAF policy makers likes to point out that five F-15s couldn't fend off a single F-22 in a simulated combat training exercise. Of course the generals who sanctioned this exhibition have been trying to _justify_ the cost of each of those very pricy and somewhat operationally limited Raptors. From an original desire to have around 750 F-22s, the Air Force could only actually afford a number less than 200, each coming with an internal weapons bay that doesn't allow a lot of flexibility when comes to ordnance variety and mission types. Multi-role the Raptor clearly is not. And THAT is exactly why the Eagle is still very much alive and kicking.

[Jeffrey-cz]

The F-15 has been a singularly successful airplane, due to it's designers at McDonnell Douglass. They produced a plane that has been and continues to be one of the few truly great fighter planes. With advancements and upgrades to its airframe and avionics, this plane will continue to be an effective fighter.

[justy]

@ 1:10 she states an F-15 has never been lost in combat.. That is simply very false. Perhaps no F-15 may have been lost in air to air combat, but some have been downed by ground fire.. 2 confirmed F-15Es were lost in the first Gulf War to Iraqi ground fire and a few more unconfirmed accounts of Saudi F-15 losses over Iraq and Yemen.

[AstroDork]

Great video. I bet shes kicking herself at the "5000 tons more..." slip up at 11:45. She obvioulsy knows what shes talking about

[amphilbey]

Love these videos, thank you. Growing up in the 80s with the Cold War went to many airshows and love visiting the IWM with the kids

[luffirton]

I think it’s one of the best decisions the US Air Force have done to date. Why depreciate a winning design for a new design that’s not known to be a new winner.
It is the ultimate superiority multirole fighter and by giving it new more effective and fuel efficient engines, new avionics, better radar and technology it can continue to serve. Not only should it be more cost effective to operate in larger numbers but will allow for the US to have a fighter that can go inn first or second in a conflict for the next 40-50 years depending on the type of treat environment. It will be the F-35 or the F15EX going in first to establish air superiority with F-22.

[hamsamich]

I always forget how old most “modern” jet fighters are. Even the F22 is almost 30 years old which is crazy to me.