F-15E Strike Eagle, page 2
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reply posted on 28-5-2004 @ 07:52 PM by aerospaceweb
Originally posted by intelgurl
The F-15 that was flown in the ACTIVE research program (1993-1998) and was a modified two-seat "B" model of the McDonnell-Douglas fighter, McDonnell-Douglas is now owned by Boeing.

As CoolHand noted - Skunkworks is Lockheed, the F-15 was therefore not developed at Skunkworks.

The F-15E is a very updated fighter-bomber platform, the first one rolled off the assembly line in 1988 and the last one in 2002. This does not sound like an archaic-ready-for-the-boneyard heap of junk.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the F-15 Active to be mass-produced, it was a one-off testbed for vectored thrust - the culmination of that research is now seen on the F-22.


Intelgurl is right. The F-15 ACTIVE was purely an experimental aircraft built to test technologies for future fighters, like the F-22. It was never intended to go into production.

She's also correct about the F-15E production run, which began in 1985. The first model was delivered to the USAF in 1988. A total of 209 were delivered by 1991. An additional 10 F-15Es were built between 1998 and 2002 to keep the production line open. The F-15 line is now in the process of building the F-15K for South Korea. The F-15K includes a number of upgrades over the F-15E, primarily to improve maintainability and provide a more advanced sensor suite. The first two aircraft are due to be delivered to the South Korean Air Force in 2005.

Finally, I wonder if the Skunkworks confusion might come from the fact that the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) advanced research and development division is called the Phantom Works.

www.boeing.com...

The Phantom Works is responsible for aircraft like the Bird of Prey, X-36, X-45, and Canard Rotor Wing. They were also involved in Boeing's X-32 proposal for the Joint Strike Fighter.


reply posted on 28-5-2004 @ 08:56 PM by Facefirst
The Saudis also have F-15s. Though with an interesting provision in it's sale.Saudi F-15

It is an incredible design. It's track record and length of service is a testament to the talent of the people who designed and tested it.
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