Why the US still needs the F-15

[@hamsamich9]

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

[@jlo7770]

I always wonder if people get upset that a handful of f22's are out there?... as in, do f35 pilots get upset they didn't get into a f22 or the other way around? I guess that goes with some of the US's other planes. The b2 or sr71. I wonder if there's any female f22 pilots? Seems like a big risk since they push them through training more so then men.. I know some chick ditched a f35 into the south china sea because of a botched carrier landing. 6 or 12? (Cant remember if they were in 3s or 6s) f22s were dispatched to the middle east from Alaska. There's video of them landing/taking off at some airport in the uk. That was last month I believe, pretty bad ass watching it, as they take off and f15 (Can't remember) and f35s took off behind them as they finished the flight.

[@fathare2085]

@@hamsamich9 Welcome to growing old!

[@confusedcat1633]

@@hamsamich9 wait. So you're telling something that advance is almost 30 yrs old? God knows what US military has in 2024

[@siamak81]

The airframes stay the same but the guts of an F-15 in service today is way different than the 70s. The EX version is going to house most advanced radar systems.

[@jdm1152]

@@fathare2085 Too bad they can't slap in some new components and send us back out flying. Ha

[@mike9347]

I once met an F15 Driver once. Him and his s back seater were really nice blokes. Not up themselves but really down to earth.. im sure i asked every question that they would have been asked a zillion times, but they were very respectful, so i bought them lunch. Top fellas.

[@Farweasel]

Wise fellows too *Always* be polite if there's a reciprocal lunch in the offing 😋

[@mike9347]

@@Farweasel LoL

[@pvtjohntowle4081]

They are called "pilots" who calls them "drivers" you muppet.

[@mike9347]

@@pvtjohntowle4081 charming. I'll bet your popular where ever you are.

[@alecfoster4413]

@@pvtjohntowle4081 The USAF pilots I know use that term tongue-in-cheek all the time. I'm sure Mike picked up on it when he made friends with those two F-15 "Drivers". Lighten up.

[@ralph.aguinaldomd]

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

[@ideadlift20kg83]

I agree but maybe it looks modern because we never really go into how old something truly is and how much air craft development has slowed down externally. Development on internals have skyrocketed. A F15 from the 80s stand no chance against a modernized F15 today.

[@matthew4107]

as someone very interested in combat vehicles, i can tell you the f15 looks incredibly dated. but i know what you mean, we have barely progressed from cold war era looks. 6th gen REALLY look quite different though. which is just around the corner.

[@sultanabran1]

these jets are designed 100% for function and 0% for aesthetics. physics hasn't changed from the 1960s.

[@F14-talktomegoose]

just behind the F14 !!

[@esbenbuurlkke5775]

@@sultanabran1 so the phyics changed before the 1960’s?

[@Planner38]

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.

[@lewiswilson3224]

@@Planner38 nah they have had some lost in combat, just not in A-A combat. But SAM sites and ground fire have destroyed a handful of eagles

[@MICHAELJD6]

When I was a teenager the guys in the NZ air force said the F 15 sucked. They said the sky hawk was better. You can read about the sky hawk on Wikipedia. Simple, reliable, cheap, maneuverable.

[@abergethirty]

​@@MICHAELJD6 Any pilot is going claim whatever are flying is the best. The Skyhawk is outclassed by the F5 Freedom Fighter for Christ Sakes.

[@MotoroidARFC]

​@lewiswilson3224 yes. Some Strike Eagles were downed by ground air defenses.

[@lewiswilson3224]

@@MotoroidARFC I think it was during desert storm if I’m not correct

[@scotw148]

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

[@Mustapha1963]

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.

[@luffirton]

@@Mustapha1963 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.

[@DefiantSix]

The difference of course is that the F-15 is still competitive in the modern air combat environment. The Sopwith Camel would have been dog meat in the Vietnam Conflict.

[@SquareHeadSlacker]

It's not the equivalent at all. Technology has different rates of change. The Sopwith Camel as a platform was obsolescent within a few years. Not the case at all with the F15.

[@JeffEbe-te2xs]

Wrong The F15 can defeat any other plane in service today

[@therandomrollercoasterride8751]

Yes but you’ve got to consider that ww2 pushed aircraft development like 20 to 30 years

[@BarrettL1970]

Meanwhile the Navy has yet to replace the 'fleet guardian' F-14. F-15 is a legendary beast!

[@steveward53]

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" ... 👍

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

Was that the kind where it moves around/moves the seat around to simulate forces on the pilot? That is really cool if so....did you have piloting or sim experience before? Or did they have an "easy" mode? (Sounds funny on a military simulator, but I imagine it would be hard to get anywhere without training otherwise lol)

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

If "When in doubt, throttle out." Was a plane.

[@davydatwood3158]

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. :)

[@wertiff541]

@davydatwood3158 They cf-105 was never a fighter. It was an interceptor. Canada had great aircraft at that time with the cf-100 canuck. There ultimately was no use for the cf-105 that being said, we could have sold the technology to the Americans for more than it cost us to develop it.

[@davydatwood3158]

@@wertiff541 Given the debacle that the Bomarc turned out to be, I'll disagree strongly with the assertation that there was no use for the Arrow. It getting cancelled was Canada's unwillingness to actually spend money on defence, pure and simple, and a problem that predates Confederation. And yes, the Arrow was an interceptor. By that token, F-14s aren't fighters either. Western militaries rarely draw a hard line between interceptors and air-superiority ships, and generally lump both together under "fighter" - so I', comfortable in asserting that the Arrow was, indeed, a "fighter."

[@nookbandit]

Promoting a concept that was stopped 65 years ago makes all you Canadians look silly. In that time man has been to space, landed on the Moon, landed crafts on Mars and the moon of Saturn, created vaccines for numerous diseases and yet Canadians are willing to die on the sword of a test program. Cmon Canada join the 21st century and beyond

[@Wargasm54]

The 105 was cool. Kinda reminds me of the American Valkyrie. Sadly, it never saw mass production either.

[@williestyle35]

The whole "controversy" and destruction of the CF - 105 fighter / interceptor program is a disgraceful piece of Canadian / USA "relations". The US should have simply bought up the program and kept its "top secret" use of titanium under wraps, instead of "recommending" the cash strapped Canadian government make it all disappear. There are a few good videos on the CF - 105, including one from the old "Discovery - Wings" program - but only a couple that talk about the background "deal" that ended that darn fine aeroplane.

[@Jeffrey-c2z]

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.

[@richardhendroff3035]

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 :)

[@jumperpence]

@@richardhendroff3035 informative and entertaining. Excellent presentation. Reminds me that I need to revisit this amazing museum.

[@andrewtuff6257]

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

[@reconhippy8352]

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

[@peterslaby9782]

Imagine F-15’s being used as missile trucks supporting networked F-35’s and F-22’s. That combo would kill anything in the sky.

[@micksmithson6724]

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

[@theChickenstones]

I fear that the stated climb rate from take-off of 50,000' a minute is a bit off too.

[@beany1987]

No, it is right. On reheat, they produce just over 6000lb extra thrust on each engine, so 12000lb of thrust overall or just over 5 tons. Also, because of that difference, the top speed of the jet has now increased by 211 mph to 1864mph.

[@micksmithson6724]

@@beany1987 Watch the video, she says "five thousand tons" NOT 5 tons

[@alexoman177]

I'm sure she meant 5000 lbf, that's my interpretation. :)

[@LloydMcElheny-d2w]

OK, five tons. It's still pretty impressive.

[@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.

[@williestyle35]

Something like that. Plus, the F - 22 order being cut back costs us more for each aircraft, shamefully. While the F - 22 was not specifically meant to fully replace the F - 15 on a one for one basis, the reduced number of F - 22's is stupid and wasteful of tax payers money.

[@RonJohn63]

Sometimes, existing *upgradable* kit is More Than Good Enough (especially when the F-35 exists).

[@tikewhite1044]

@@Iskelderon WHILE I'm SENSITIVE TO YOUR FEELINGS .... I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE F-15. I'm EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO HER. SHE IS THE QUEEN OF AIR SUPERIORITY. ♠️THE VANITY ADDICT♠️

[@SuperCrow02]

Why waste the ace up your sleeve when you already have a winning deck? We keep the F-22's and their technology from the forefront so that they cannot be captured/copied. Vaulted for future wars.

[@tikewhite1044]

​@@williestyle35 ARE YOU CRYING?. WHAT ARE YOU CRYING ABOUT?. WHILE YOU'RE EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO THE F-22.... THE F-15 HAS JUSTIFIED HER PRESENCE FOR OVER 50 YEARS; REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. ; THE F-22 IS HIGH MAINTENANCE; AND COST MORE PER HOUR TO FLY.... AS WELL AS MAINTAIN. YOU'RE SORE ABOUT YOUR BABY GOING INTO OBSCURITY.... AND NOBODY CARES; ESPECIALLY ME!!!. YOU CAN'T SPEAK ILL OF MY F-15. ♠️THE VANITY ADDICT♠️

[@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

[@TheTermigrot]

One point of note, the Foxbat, in achieving it's high speed record, could not do the same feat without replacing the engines. Also, the idea that it was a maneuverable aircraft that NATO suspected and the USSR disproved. It was an interceptor: speed was the primary focus. And it did it well.

[@hisaddle]

I spent my first 45 yrs in St. Louis. Relatives, neighbors, friends worked/work at the factory where these and F18's are built. Glad that with all the foreign orders too, they can keep the F15 line running so we dont lose all that knowledge, and skill etc. going. An Uncle worked there 40+ years in scheduling. He said it took 1.5 years for all the F15 stuff to make it to the finished plane. Hard to explain. I guess they can make two a month, that is the F18 rate.

[@alucardofficial7074]

The host for this show is excellent.

[@steveharvey6421]

The combat in air to air is amazing.

[@darrell9546]

The most impressive aerial display I ever saw was a solo F-15 at a big air show in 1991, after the first Gulf war. Everything in the Air Force inventory was on display, including the first public showing of the F-117. The Navy's Blue Angels were the star billing of the show. That F-15 did its thing just before the Blue Angels, and it put them to shame. Everything the F-15 did it did with great authority. It was jaw dropping to watch.

[@NicolasMiari]

"Entered service in January '76..." No wonder I was a huge fan as a kid. We were born on the same month!

[@cheekeongchan6605]

The F-15 has been upgraded extensively via the F-15E series through overseas sales. Foreign countries paid for integration of various weapons, etc. Saudi Arabia paid for the fly by wire upgrade. Having easy access maintenance panels on the airframe also helped. The current latest F-15EX is an advanced and modern non-stealth fighter equivalent to any other despite being a 50 year old design.

[@jackdaugaard-hansen4512]

The F15 first flew in 1972 and was put into service 4 years later, a comparison would be an early aircraft from the 1900s being used in the Korean War, or ww1 fighter in the Vietnam war or a world war 2 fighter in the gulf war, of course technology was changing a lot more back in those days but it’s still pretty cool

[@Dwendele]

It's still flying because it's arguably the greatest jet fighter ever built. Can fly missing an entire wing, never been defeated, has shot down a satellite in space, has a weight to thrust ratio that let's it break the sound barrier while flying straight up, capable of carrying a wider range of weapons than any other jet.... And there's more.

[@carsonm7292]

The slogan in the Senate was "not a pound for air-to-ground" when discussing funding for the F-15. The program was to strictly be an air superiority fighter; no money or tonnage was to go to developing strike capability. McDonnell Douglas was so confident in their own design that they developed the Strike Eagle of their own initiative without any promise or contract to actually procure the thing from DoD.

[@pearsonator123]

Wilbur you legend - from your Australian cousin

[@ReiAristia]

Gotta love the Ace Combat ahh background music near the start of the video, really felt the "world's greatest fighter jet" vibe

[@Cybernaut551]

The F-15 is iconic.

[@Istandby666]

In 1985, I was at Edwards Air Force Base during this flight.

[@lastguy8613]

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

[@Alex-hu5eg]

@@lastguy8613 one satellite

[@DefiantSix]

Just because you aren't aware of the other 4 satellite kills, doesn't mean they aren't there. We could tell you about them, but then we'd have to unalive you.

[@williestyle35]

That was the existing traditional "convention" for scoring as an Ace. But I guess they can just make up whatever they want for "space combat". lul

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

Hopefully now that the superpowers and even a couple up coming superpowers like India have shot down a satellite each, we can agree to stop making a mess of good orbits lol

[@SanDiegoHarry1]

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.

[@kenchen704]

Except the Rhino is even more radical, with major aerodynamic changes that goes with everything else. The F15’s fundamental aerodynamics has stayed basically the same, just having some nicer nozzles and a sick flight-by-wire system (finally)

[@farstrider79]

@@SanDiegoHarry1 Can we not just continue to lie to ourselves, reality is so harsh.

[@MotoroidARFC]

Yup. The Qatari version was very good which made the USAF take notice when they realized they could not afford and operate an F-35 only fleet. Just the FBW alone gave it an additional pylon on each wing.

[@williestyle35]

​@@MotoroidARFC it was not only that the USAF could not *afford* to fully replace the F - 15 with the F - 35, it is also that the F - 35 is not as dominant in the air to air combat role. While there might not be as much closer range air combat in coming years, the F - 35 is a more "versatile" aircraft, for multirole and "strike" missions, but less for mixing it up with other specialist fighters.

[@MotoroidARFC]

@@williestyle35 they can't even afford the operating costs for the ones they have now. They're using them less to reduce costs.

[@Landonia_]

the picture of the F-4 with the Jolly Rogers livery at 6:39 looks like a DCS screenshot.

[@goobfilmcast4239]

Modern Stealth Fighters like the F-35 will enter contested airspace first. With its more limited payload, the F-35 will take out air defense system creating a "path in the sky" and send targeting data back to F-15s carrying a whole bunch more boomy booms to finish the job. Think of the F-15 as a Missile Truck....that can fly at over mach 2 and turn on a dime. Upgraded F-15s will speed up the retirement of the B-1. The B-52 will still be around awhile, however. The Pacific is a BIG Ocean.......

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Magnificent machine.

[@WesSites]

The F4 was a fantastic aircraft, its problem was the doctrine not the weapon system. The aircraft was designed to make aerial kills BVR, and the doctrine at the time required visual confirmation before the pilots were allowed to fire upon the enemy. A limited war is one you cannot win, something the US has continued to fail to understand.

[@grantchin1526]

4:04 dangerously close to scraping the ground!!!

[@FranckLarsen]

Wait a minute. The F14 is a vital part of this story. It needs be mentioned!

[@dert693]

Great vid! Thanks for the info.

[@ntsejfamyaj]

I see pairs of F-15EX flying over my home every day, as I live under their flight path. I'm glad we have them here to defend the skies.

[@keithwaller4545]

Its just the best modern fighter made and still looks so good . And for 90% of the time 👍

[@54mgtf22]

Great work IWM

[@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

[@993isgawd]

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.

[@clydedoris5002]

Raptor is still arguably the best fighter in the world for 20+ years

[@MotoroidARFC]

​@@clydedoris5002just not cost effective for mundane tasks

[@williestyle35]

​@@MotoroidARFC the problem with the F - 22 "Raptor" became the "mundane tasks". It simply was not designed with enough mission flexibility and was never going to be cost effective to fully replace the F - 15. The real shame of cutting back the F - 22 order to less than 200 aircraft is that it cost us a bunch more money per aircraft delivered. The internal weapons bays are essential to the F -22's "stealth", but as mentioned, it is a limiting factor on the missions and munitions the F - 22 can complete. sad

[@JeffEbe-te2xs]

Because even today it’s one of the best planes in the world No one comes close The F14 is up there also

[@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.

[@douglassauvageau7262]

Consider the legacy of the B-52, C-130, et al. Sustaining the production of proven airframes / platforms and incorporating improvements in avionics, weaponry, et al seems a winning strategy. Recent history testifies to the need to sustain operations beyond the "Shock and Awe" phase.

[@jamesrussell5620]

Just being a Gary - you show MiG 23s when you are talking about the MiG 25

[@sheilah4525]

IT’S THAT GOOD.

[@TheDeadbone1961]

A true workhorse.

[@jos1515]

Because it's badass

[@markymark3572]

Still one of the world's finest fighters.

[@deanwatt]

360 degree view? Through the floor of the cockpit?!

[@songkok7hitam]

F-15EX just genius.

[@evokki0075]

Wish F-14 would have been as successful. Much more beautiful design.

[@madkoala2130]

It was expensive as hell to maintain just like his brother F-111. Those swing wing designs dont give much benefits for amount of maintenance hours they require for safe reliable flight (also F-14 if we account inflation was more expensive per unit then F-22).

[@StevenKeery]

Nice looking plane.

[@jacuzzibusguy]

Is it true the f15 can accelerate past the sound barrier while ascending straight up?

[@LuGer212]

USSR: build a scam. USAF: I will so wholeheartedly overspend, overengineer, overeverything - and it's gonna work, actually.

[@SalemGhassanHanna]

Was the MiG-25 a scam? It was never meant to be a dogfighter, just a high-speed interceptor. The USAF only ASSUMED it would be agile.

[@Wargasm54]

It’s still flying because it’s a badass jet. The A-10 could keep flying too if they just gave it some love and modern upgrades.

[@williestyle35]

The A - 10 is a "program" the USAF only took on because it added funds to their budgets. The Air Force is really not super happy to be in the "ground pounding" business - it shows in the neglect that has been piled up on the A - 10. Besides, it could never actually fulfill it's primary "tank buster" role on a modern battlefield. I have always liked the *ideas* and purpose behind the A - 10, but the Air Force vastly oversold it's capabilities and their commitment to support the Army with it. The funding should have gone to more and better helicopters like the RAH-66 Comanche.

[@jlo7770]

​@@williestyle35I kinda feel like the days of low and slow aircraft is coming to an end. I don't see attack helicopters being super effective against a modern military. Just looking at how Russia rolled into ukraine in the first days with their heli's and getting a bunch of them smacked out of the sky with relatively older tech shows how far things have come a long. Theres definitely some operations where they can't be beat but on a large scale I think they'll become obsolete due to their vulnerability..

[@williestyle35]

@@jlo7770 main battlefield use of "low and slow" aircraft, especially helicopters in an attack role *might* not have much future... But the helicopter for troop transport (to near the battlespace), supply, and the other assorted support and specialty roles are here to stay, till something beyond tilt - rotor aircraft come online.

[@jlo7770]

@@williestyle35 I think it largely depends on the theater of operations.. who is fighting who, ya going into a 3rd world country with little to no air defense, not much to worry about. Fighting a major country with adequate air defense I think it'd be a different story. I know I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a helicopter on the front line in ukraine, way too many have gone down on both sides.

[@williestyle35]

@@jlo7770 yep. That is partly why I listed some of the "other" roles helicopters fulfill, away from the main battlespace. But even "3rd world countries" can challenge "low and slow" attack aircraft - see the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and American stinger missiles. But in general you are correct : in most theaters outside of the heavily militarized countries - air defenses will be weak enough for most any aircraft like the A - 10 or attack helicopters will have many more opportunities (though such "3rd World" theaters of operations also a kind of a waste of the supposed "main role" of a "tank buster" like the A - 10 because they would have few if any tanks to bust).

[@johnkochen7264]

Why the F-15 is still flying? Because it is still an awesome jet. Kudos to McDonnell for this amazing fighter.

[@Istandby666]

That's due to the lifting body effect.

[@Idahoguy10157]

The Israeli Air Force flying F-4s against Egypt had a better record than the Americans had over north Vietnam. A big difference being the restrictive rules of engagement the USAF had to adhere too over Vietnam

[@Rob-lq2ny]

Because F35 is still unable to fully replace F15 and fix major issues.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

F-35 was never intended to replace F-15

[@rogerjohnson6676]

@@Orbital_Inclination no, it was intended to replace all the air force inventory, which it will never be able to do. The US Senate has regressed back to the time of McNamara and the TFX programme, and we all know how that worked out. Build a plane to do a job and do it well, no one asks an MBT to transport infantry, or to drop artillery rounds. F-35 and lemon are synonymous in my thesaurus.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

@@rogerjohnson6676 no, it was not. This is simply not true.

[@rogerjohnson6676]

@@Orbital_Inclination really. It's got a navy version, a marine version, an air force version. It's supposed to be ine size fits all, just like the F-111. And we know that that was a complete farce in the end. You can't have a true multi role aircraft that's any good at one job. And I'm sorry but air superiority is the job I want some properly. Hence the F-15, and the F-14. I give you one question, what price freedom. The F-35 will never be made in enough numbers to do anything well.

[@xcx8646]

More than a hundred kills and no losses. This is very impressive when you consider that the US has fielded it against some of the best poorly maintained, out of date aircraft that third world airforces have at their disposal.

[@everythingman987]

It is often stated that the F-15 was a reaction to the MiG-25. This is only partially true. The FX program that birthed the F-15 was already under development before the US learned of the Foxbat’s existence. Some program requirements were changed after the US learned of the Foxbat, and many design changes to the McDonnell FX concept were made that resulted in the F-15, but the FX program was not the US’s “response” to the MiG-25.

[@Twirlyhead]

So it is partially true then.

[@On_The_Piss]

Yes, and the US definitely didn’t lose the Vietnam War.

[@louisgiokas2206]

There were two issues with the F--4 in Vietnam. One was rules of engagement. The US pilots had to visually identify targets before they could engage. This limited them and played into the second issue. The other issue was armament. The F-4 did not have a gun for close in combat. It relied on missiles, which, at the time, were very unreliable.

[@wilsonli5642]

Yep, the F-4 was far more maneuverable than it's given credit for in the popular memory, even if it did look like a flying brick.

[@louisgiokas2206]

@@wilsonli5642 I remember when I saw my first one. I thought it was "cool". It was, at the very least, different.

[@Mortius86-1]

The F-15 remains a great fighter due to modernization of its pilot interface, radar, ordinance, etc...

[@TheCleric42]

One mistake at 6:52: the first Space Ace was Amelia “Buns” Nakamura. See Tom Clancy’s Red Storm Rising for details.

[@darthioan]

@@TheCleric42 not sure if this is to be meant as tongue in cheek

[@billevans7936]

Could be the large presence in the European theatre ...just maybe

[@janusz4156]

50 years of F-15 in 2022 - fighter-icon and flagship fighter of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War nad Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.

[@daniel_lucio]

"Moral questions", oh my God...

[@The_kneidlach_engineer]

No moral implications during Gulf Wars...

[@michaelodonnell7011]

@@The_kneidlach_engineer Come on... They had weapons of mass destruction. If only Dr David Kelly hadn't got injured. Ask Tony Blair.

[@The_kneidlach_engineer]

​@@michaelodonnell7011sarcasm?

[@negativeindustrial]

Anyone have any knowledge on the version shown at 4:02?

[@matts9]

well done!

[@dbolt6543]

In 1996, IIRC, I was at an air show that had the last F4 Wild Weasel still in service from Nevada as well as F15s and F16s all parked within audible range of each other. This was the last deployment of a US F4 wild weasel as the crew said they had to take it to the bone yard the following weekend and they were warned that all the items in the cockpit had better be there when they landed. The pilot and rear seater had been together since Viet Nam and were going to transition to KC 135s the week after. IIRC the F 15s were under some limitation of maximum speed at the time and the F4 crew liked to point this out. They said, within earshot of the F15E crew that if the F15 had used its long range missiles then they could "eat his ass." From the look on the F15E crews' face they were right. They also referred to the F16s as "Lawn Darts" because of their propensity to crash. I don't know how much of what they said was true but the F15 and F16 crews did not contradict them and looked extremely pissed off. It was a privilege to talk to a crew who had been in the F4 since Viet Nam and who probably flew the last F4 flight for the US.

[@WrittenbytheVictorShorts]

Well presented!

[@Gary-zq3pz]

If you do something right the first time...the Eagle could (conceivably) be equipped with the next engines coming up that can operate in space. From tarmac to high orbit could be a possibility with this plane.

[@kalashnikovdevil]

Honestly calling the F-15EX an upgraded F-15 is a bit of a misnomer... it's a whole different animal compared to the C model. It just looks like the C model, under the hood it's a whole new airframe.

[@johnmcclellan9020]

No scuds were destroyed in the Gulf War.

[@darbyheavey406]

Good design….thats why. A nod to Colonel Boyd, USAF would be nice.

[@EthanRawlins]

The best of the best fighter!

[@notreallydavid]

Is the F-15 the fastest non-weird, non-one-trick pony aircraft ever? (I'd count the MiG 25 as one of the hyperspecialised oddities.)

[@wilsnh9148]

It seems to me that those aircraft that had tremendous speed and agility all boast variants of the delta wing.

[@Mors_Inimicis]

It’s a shame the USAF aren’t able to procure more of the EX model . I’d have loved to have seen the 493rd FS at Lakenheath move to the EX when the C/D’s went away instead of the F35. (This is purely a selfish aviation enthusiasts viewpoint though)😂

[@vanroeling2930]

If the F-15 EX is so wonderful, why is it being assigned to National Guard units stateside and not front line air bases such as Kadena in Japan, Anderson in Guam or Ramstein in Germany??

[@kenny102000]

What does the F-15 do that the more recent F-16 and F-35 don't cover? (genuine question, I don't know much about military jets)

[@Skrramjam]

Higher payload and longer range mainly

[@dumdumbinks274]

The F-15 has a kinematic advantage in air combat, as well as achieving higher altitudes. This translates to longer effective engagement ranges for missiles. The latest version's radar is also considered the most powerful radar mounted on any fighter globally, and combined with it's size providing more room for electronic equipment, it has an advantage in electronic warfare too.

[@noneofyourbuisness2539]

F-15 hopes to down the F-16 long before it can engage, with it's better radar and more specialist anti air role. The F-16 might pose more of a problem in a dogfight, if it can survive closing the distance. Kind of like a sniper compared to regular infantry.

[@peoriaguy8]

F15 A through D models are Air to Air fighters. The E and EX models can do A to A as well as Air to Ground. They basically fill the role of a medium bomber. The 16 and 35 can currently carry a max of two 2k bombs, the 15 can carry 7. It can also carry 3 times more air to air missiles than the 16 ,22, or 35. With conformal fuel tanks the F15 has double the range of an F16 and 2.5 times an F35. It's faster, can carry three times as much ordinance, and has the legs to stay in the air. It's not as nimble as a 16, or stealthy as a 35, but it can deliver more warheads on foreheads per sortie.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

Really need its own movie.

[@BarstoolChiraq]

Why does the F-15 STOL/MTD at 4:01 have a camo paint scheme? I thought that was a NASA test platform

[@madkoala2130]

That is picture from model kit, not IRL SMTD paintjob.

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

They need it because they decided to stop making Raptors. Simple as that.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

Also Raptors can't fulfill the ground attack role of the F-15E

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

@@Orbital_Inclination yes, though the F-15E aren’t made anymore.

[@sailyourface]

F-15s also cost a lot less to operate especially for units that don’t need stealth such as air national guard

[@noahway13]

They should have just went ahead and named it F-15exy

[@spana123321]

The Lightning, 2 jet engines with a pilot strapped on capable of Mach 1 in a vertical climb👍👍👍👍👍

[@Pete_Finch]

If only the Soviets had made the MiG-25 even more ugly, perhaps its horrific looks could've scared the Eagles away

[@geraldapollyon655]

And I will always be salty that the F-14 Tomcat didn't get the same treatment that the F-15 got.

[@madkoala2130]

Can you F-14 fans learn that swing wings are hard to maintain and are 10 times more expensive then fixed wing designs. Brand new F-14A was more expensive per unit then F-22 if we account inflation.

[@CarlSöderquist]

You said the new engines produces 5000 TONS more thrust. Some engines!

[@chrisenright7003]

That's about 5 kilotons.

[@rm5902]

good heering She did apologize

[@CarlSöderquist]

@@chrisenright7003 That is near the thrust of the Apollo rocket program.

[@CarlSöderquist]

@@rm5902 Oh she did? I didnt get that, but it is nice of hear.

[@Mis0ph0nia]

Am i the only one thinking of GTA V from the background music?

[@Martin-on2pp]

Hawker Hunter. Newer is not the same as better here...

[@iwonttell4958]

7:13, space ace? I thought you have to score five kills to become an ace, not just one?

[@TruelyGumdrop]

Starscream

[@SonOfTheChinChin]

f-22, su-30, f-16, f-18, su-35, mig-29, mig-35, f-35, j-11, j-15, j-20, gripen: i hope the enemies cant see me f-15: action is coming, i promise you

[@265justy]

@ 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.

[@Wargasm54]

State your sources. The ones that were shot at from ground weapons did receive damage and were out of the fight. But they did manage to limp back to base.

[@265justy]

@@Wargasm54 17/18 January 1991: F-15E-46-MC, 88‑1689, c/n 1098/E073, of the 335th FS, 4th TFW, USAF, was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery on the first day of Operation Desert Storm.[6][25][26] 19/20 January 1991: F-15E-46-MC, 88‑1692, c/n 1101/E076, of the 336th FS, 4th TFW, USAF, was shot down by an Iraqi SA-2E missile during Operation Desert Storm. Both crew members ejected and were POWs.[6][25][26]

[@265justy]

@@Wargasm54 17/18 January 1991: F-15E-46-MC, 88‑1689, c/n 1098/E073, of the 335th FS, 4th TFW, USAF, was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery on the first day of Operation Desert Storm.[6][25][26] 19/20 January 1991: F-15E-46-MC, 88‑1692, c/n 1101/E076, of the 336th FS, 4th TFW, USAF, was shot down by an Iraqi SA-2E missile during Operation Desert Storm. Both crew members ejected and were POWs.[6][25][26]

[@265justy]

@@Wargasm54 You have a thing called Google... Look it up. Several sources state the same thing.. . 2 were shot down in the first Gulf War.. 1 on the first day of the war by heavy gun fire from the ground.. A 2nd was lost to an SA-2.

[@jlo7770]

​@@265justylol I love when people post "source?" They know you cant link anything in yt comments and clearly are too daft to use a search engine. "Send me a link of this claimed thing you said that in my mind is false because I'm too lazy to type it into a search engine". I'm convinced people that type in "source?" Are beyond teaching, their mental abilities are too far gone to be taught anything and not worth wasting one's time on.