Whats the difference

[Abhi 3]

both F-15C and E look same,can anybody diagrammatically explain the difference.

[Silverbolt 104]

i'd say the A and C looks the same but....

 

the difference is huge, F-15E is an Dedicate Strike Platform, its intent ro replace F-111 Missions.

F-15C is an Air Superiority fighter, but its also capble to use air to ground ordinance, such as dumb bombs and anti radiation missiles.

 

also, F-15E is Biplace, while C is monoplace.

Edited December 7, 2009 by Silverbolt

[Fubar512 1,350]

As Silverbolt explained, the "E" is a two-place, dedicated strike version, while the "C" is an upgraded version of the F-15A air superiority fighter.

 

The F-15C is an improved version of the original F-15A single-seat air superiority fighter. Additions incorporated in the F-15C include upgrades to avionics as well as increased internal fuel capacity and a higher allowable gross takeoff weight. The F-15C is armed with the AIM-7M Sparrow or AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), the AIM-9M Sidewinder, and a 20-millimeter cannon. The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory beginning in 1979. Kadena Air Base, Japan, received the first F-15C in September 1979. These new models have Production Eagle Package (PEP 2000) improvements, including 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) of additional internal fuel, provision for carrying exterior conformal fuel tanks and increased maximum takeoff weight of up to 68,000 pounds (30,600 kilograms). Externally, the differences between the F-15A and F-15C are so slight as to make identification difficult; the only reliable indicator is the aircraft serial number. All F-15As have tail numbers starting with 73- through 77-, while F-15Cs have tail numbers beginning with 78- through 86-. The operational F-15C force structure is approximately 300 aircraft assigned to operational units. The F-15C is the Air Force's primary air superiority fighter, serving with active duty units at Langley AFB, VA, Eglin AFB, FL, Mountain Home AFB, ID, Elmendorf AFB, AK, Tyndall AFB, FL, Nellis AFB, NV, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, Lakenheath AB, England and Kadena AB, Okinawa. In the mid-1990s the F-15C experienced declining reliability indicators, primarily from three subsystems: radar, engines, and secondary structures. A complete retrofit of all three subsystems could be done for less than $3 billion.

 

F-15E: Although the slogan of the F-15's original design team was "Not a pound for air-to-ground," the F-15 has long been recognized as having superior potential in the ground attack role. In 1987 this potential was realized in the form of the F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15E became the newest fighter in Tactical Air Command when the 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., accepted delivery of the first production model in April 1988. The 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., was the first operational F-15E Strike Eagle wing in the Air Force.

 

While new to the operational inventory, F-15E Strike Eagles were among the first airframes tasked to react to events in the Persian Gulf in August 1990. The 4th Fighter Wing deployed two F-15E squadrons to Southwest Asia in August and December of that year, and spearheaded an attack on Iraqi forces Jan. 16, 1991. The war was brought to a swift and successful conclusion in late February 1991.

 

Unlike previous models, the F-15E uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. The two engine dual role fighter capable of speeds up to MACH 2.5. It is capable of carrying an external payload of up to 24,500 pounds, to include fuel tanks, weapons pylons, missiles, and bombs. The maximum takeoff weight ofthe F- 15E is 81,000 pounds. The basic empty weight is 36,500 pounds. Considered to be the most advanced tactical fighter aircraft in the world, the F-15E is the fifth version of the Eagle to come off the McDonnell Douglas assembly line in St. Louis, Mo., since 1972. While retaining the best features of its predecessors, the "E" model is equipped with an array of new avionics and electronics systems.

 

The mission of the Strike Eagle is as succinct as that of its air-to-air cousin: to put bombs on target. While previous models of the Eagle are assigned air-to-air roles, the "E" model is a dual-role fighter. It has the capability to fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions, and fight its way back out. The F-15E performs day and night all weather air-to-air and air-to-ground missions including strategic strike, interdiction, OCA and DCA. Although primarily a deep interdiction platform, the F-15E can also perform CAS and Escort missions. The F-15E is especially configured for the deep strike mission, venturing far behind enemy lines to attack high value targets with a variety of munitions.

 

The Strike Eagle accomplishes this mission by expanding on the capabilities of the air superiority F-15, adding a rear seat WSO (Weapon Systems Operator) crewmember and incorporating an entirely new suite of air-to-ground avionics.

 

One of the most important additions to the F-15E is the rear cockpit, reserved for a weapon systems officer (WSO). On four television-like screens, the WSO can display information from the radar, electronic warfare or infrared sensors, monitor aircraft or weapon status and possible threats, select targets, and use an electronic "moving map" to navigate. Two hand controls are used to select new displays and to refine targeting information. Displays can be moved from one screen to another, chosen from a "menu" of display options.

 

In addition to three similar screens in the front seat, the pilot has a tranparent glass screen (head-up display) at eye level that displays vital flight and tactical information. The pilot doesn't need to look down into the cockpit, for instance, to check weapon status. At night, the screen is even more important because it displays a video picture, generated by the forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, that is nearly identical to a daylight view of the world.

 

Strike Eagles are equipped with LANTIRN, enhancing night PGM delivery capability. The F-15E outbord and inboard wing stations and the centerline can be loaded with various armament. The outboard wing hardpoint are unable to carry heavy loads and are assign for ECM pods. The other hardpoints can be employed for various loads but with the use of multiple ejection racks (MERs). Each MER can hold six Mk-82 bombs or "Snakeye" retarded bombs, or six Mk 20 "Rockeye" dispensers, four CBU-52B, CBU- 58B, or CBU-71B dispensers, a single Mk-84 (907 kg) bomb F- 15E can carry also "smart" weapons, CBU-10 laser quided bomb based on the Mk 84 bomb, CBU-12, CBU-15, or another, laser, electro-optical, or infra-red guided bomb (including AGM-G5 "Maverick" air-to-ground) missiles. For air-to-ground missions, the F-15E can carry most weapons in the Air Force inventory. Italso can be armed with AIM 7F/M Sparrows, AIM-9M Sidewinders, and AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) for the air-to-air role. The "E" model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun which can carry up to 450 rounds.

 

Advanced avionics systems give the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in bad weather. An inertial navigation system, developed by Honeywell, uses a laser gyro to continuously monitor the aircraft's position and provide information to the central computer and other systems, including a digital moving map in both cockpits.

 

At the heart of the F-15E is the APG-70 radar. In the air-to-air mode, the APG-70 can provide range, altitude, airspeed, and other information on aircraft at ranges exceeding 100 miles. The Hughes Aircraft Company APG-70 radar system allows aircrews to detect ground targets from longer ranges. For example, the crew can pick out bridges and airfields on the radar display from more than 80 miles away, while at closer ranges targets as small as vehicles can be easily detected. One feature ofthis system is that after a sweep of a target area, the image on the screen can be frozen while the radar itself is turned off to avoid enemy detection systems. The APG-70 can produce near photo quality images of the ground by using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. SAR imaging is made possible by enhancing the radar returns received from the process known as the Doppler Shift. One job of the APG-70 is to locate aircraft flying close to the ground while the F-15E is flying well above them (20,000 - 30,000 feet above them for example). A pulse radar looking down on the earth would see EVERYTHING -- mountains, buildings, lakes, and the aircraft. This would make it difficult (or impossible) to find an aircraft flying at low altitude. A continuous wave radar (or other radar using Doppler technology) will only "see" objects that are moving (the radar's computer will filter out the speed of the F-15E). Thus, the Doppler shift gives advanced radars like the APG-70 the ability to see aircraft flying at very low altitudes.

 

Considered the cream ofthe new avionics crop is the Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system manufactured by Martin Marietta. The system consists of two pods attached to the exterior of the aircraft. The navigation pod contains terrain-following radar which allows the pilot to safely fly at a very low altitude following cues displayed on his head up display (HUD). This system also can be coupled to the aircraft's auto pilot to provide "hands off' terrain-following capability.

 

The second pod, the targeting pod, contains a laser designator and a tracking system that mark an enemy for destruction from as far away as 10 miles. Once tracking has been started, targeting information is automatically handed offto infrared air-to-surface missiles or laser-guided bombs.

 

The LANTIRN system gives the F-15E unequaled weapons delivery accuracy during the day or night and in poor weather. According to the former commander of Tactical Air Command, Gen. Robert D. Russ, "Two F-15Es with four crew members and 12,000 pounds of conventional bombs will be able to do the same damage to a pinpoint target that only yesterday took eight F-4s, 16 crew members and 48,000 pounds of conventional bombs."

 

The F-15E Strike Eagle's tactical electronic warfare system [TEWS] is an integrated countermeasures system. Radar, radar jammer, warning receiver and chaff/flare dispenser all work together to detect, identify and counter threats posed by an enemy. For example, if the warning receiver detects a threat before the radar jammer, the warning receiver will inform the jammer of the threat. A Strike Eagle's TEWS can jam radar systems operating in high frequencies, such as radar used by short-range surface-to-air missiles, antiaircraft artillery and airborne threats. Current improvements to TEWS will enhance the aircraft's ability to jam enemy radar systems. The addition of new hardware and software, known as Band 1.5, will round out the TEWS capability by jamming threats in mid-to-low frequencies, such as long-range radar systems. The equipment went into full production in late 1999.

 

The cockpit design of the F-15E is one reason it is the most versatile and capable fighter flying today. Seven programmable multi-function displays provide the aircrew with a wealth of information that no aircraft flying today can match. Most functions can be controlled by switches on the throttles and the control stick (referred to as "HOTAS" or Hands On Throttle And Stick). This allows the pilot to control the aircraft's systems without having to remove his hands from the aircraft controls (a significant advantage in demanding phases of flight like an instrument approach in the weather.) The programmable nature of the multi-purpose displays is another outstanding feature that greatly aids the aircrew. For example, the WSO has four displays available in the rear cockpit. On a night low-level mission (using the Terrain Following Radar to fly 500 feet above the ground) most WSOs will have the following information on the displays: Terrain Following Radar, Heads-Up Display (HUD), Air-to-Air radar, Moving Map display. Since each display is programmable, the aircrew can program three separate displays on each multi-function display. Therefore, the WSO can have the engine display (providing the engines' "vital" signs) on the same screen as the Moving Map display. By moving a switch on the hand controller, the engine display replaces the Moving Map display. Hitting the switch again returns the multi-function display to the Moving Map (or the third option if one was programmed).

 

The F-15E is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engines which incorporate advanced digital technology for improved performance. For example, with a digital electronic engine control system, F-15E pilots can accelerate from idle power to maximum afterburner in under four seconds, a 40 percent improvement over the previous engine control system. Faster engine acceleration means quicker takeoffs and crisper response while maneuvering. Each engine can produce 25,000 pounds of thrust.

 

Each of the low-drag conformal fuel tanks that hug the F-15E's fuselage can carry 750 gallons of fuel. The tanks hold weapons on short pylons rather than conventional weapon racks, reducing drag, and further extending the range of the Strike Eagle. Conformal Fuel Tanks were introduced with the F-15C in order to extend the range of the aircraft. The CFTs are carried in pairs and fit closely to the side of the aircraft, with one CFT underneath each wing. By designing the CFT to minimize the effect on aircraft aerodynamics, much lower drag results than if a similar amount of fuel is carried in conventional external fuel tanks. This lower drag translate directly into longer aircraft ranges, a particularly desirable characteristic of a deep strike fighter like the F-15E. As with any system, the use of CFTs on F-15s involves some compromise. The weight and drag of the CFTs (even when empty) degrades aircraft performance when compared to external fuel tanks, which can be jettisoned when needed (CFTs are not jettisonable and can only be downloaded by maintenance crews). As a result, CFTs are typically used in situations where increased range offsets any performance drawbacks. In the case of the F-15E, CFTs allow air-to-ground munitions to be loaded on stations which would otherwise carry external fuel tanks. In general, CFT usage is the norm for F-15Es and the exception for F-15C/D's.

 

The Strike Eagle's flight control system is among the best flying today. It provides excellent handling characteristics throughout the F-15E's vast flight envelope. This remarkable system allows the F-15E to fly at speeds ranging from Mach 2.5 to airspeeds below 150 knots. In addition, it provides exceptional maneuverability. Like most systems on the F-15E, the flight control system has two separate systems for redundancy (either system is perfectly capable of flying the aircraft by itself). The hydromechanical system (mechanical controls that are hydraulically operated) and the Control Augmentation System (CAS) work together to provide manual and automatic control of the aircraft.

 

The hydromechanical system provides inputs to the three primary flight controls - ailerons, rudders, and the stabilator. The ailerons and rudders act fairly conventional (see Flight Controls ); however, the stabilator works in a manner unlike conventional stabilators. A conventional stabilator is used only for pitch control. The stab on the F-15E is used for pitch as well as roll. Example: When the pilot pulls aft on the stick, the stab acts conventionally and both stabs on each side of the aircraft move together (i.e. both trailing edges go up). When the pilot moves the stick to the left in the F-15E, the stabs will move in opposite directions (acting like ailerons) to help roll the aircraft. While simple in concept, the actual workings of the stab and ailerons are extremely complex due to the flight envelope of the Strike Eagle.

 

In most general aviation aircraft, the ailerons and elevators are controlled by the control wheel and the rudders by pedals. The Aileron-Rudder Interconnect (ARI) mechanically links the ailerons and rudders to the control stick. This system automatically applies rudder inputs to correspond with roll inputs requested by the pilot. In simple terms, it automatically deflects the rudder for coordinated turns. Flight above the speed of sound has a different set of rules. For one, very little rudder inputs are required (as a matter of fact, at high Mach numbers rudder inputs can cause structural failure); thus, the ARI disengages above Mach 1.0. Also, when landing in a cross-wind (a wind that is not directly aligned with the runway), rudder inputs can hinder techniques to counter the wind so the ARI is disabled when the wheels on the ground and the speed is above 50 knots.

 

The primary responsibilities of the Control Augmentation System (CAS) system are to provide increased stability (smoothing out turbulance) and to refine the flight control inputs from the pilot provided to the hydromechanical system. It is a fly-by-wire system that overlays the hydromechanical system. It incorporates a sophisticated flight control computer with numerous motion sensors to refine the inputs to the flight control surfaces to respond to the pilot's stick inputs. In other words, it precisely deflects the flight control surfaces to provide the pilot with exactly the inputs he requested based on the amount of force used to move the stick). Again, this system has several redundant systems built within it providing outstanding reliability. The CAS system is sub-divided into 3 systems - PITCH, ROLL, and YAW. (Note: The CAS system does not provide inputs to the ailerons, it uses only differential stab inputs to roll the aircraft. The hydromechanical system provides the only inputs to the ailerons).

 

The Defense Department sustained production of the F-15E by purchasing three aircraft in both FY 1998 and FY 1999. Without FY 1998 procurement, the F-15 production line would begin to close in the absence of new foreign sales. These six additional aircraft, together with the six aircraft approved by Congress in FY 1997, will sustain the present 132-plane combat force structure until about FY 2016. Under current plans by 2030, the last F-15C/D models will have been phased out of the inventory and replaced by the F-22. In June 1999 Boeing delivered the first new F-15E Eagle since 1994 to the U.S. Air Force, the first of 17 F-15Es to be delivered through early 2000. These 17 aircraft will be equipped with new advanced data processors, a new digital mapping system, provisions for an upgraded Programmable Armament Control System, expanded smart weapons carriage capability, and an embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System for increased accuracy. Boeing had previously delivered 209 F-15Es to the US Air Force from 1987 through 1994.

 

In April 2001 the Boeing Company and the US Air Force finalized contract terms for 10 F-15E aircraft, which will sustain production of the fighter into 2004. Boeing began building the planes with initial funding from the Air Force's fiscal year 2000 budget. The aircraft will have several upgrades that make them the most capable F-15Es delivered to date. The planes will be the 227th-236th F-15Es produced by Boeing. Deliveries start during the first half of 2002 and will extend through the last quarter of 2004. Valued at approximately $571.1 million, the contract covers airframes and certain other components. The Air Force will purchase some items separately - such as engines - as it has in the past.

 

Source: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-15.htm

[HotNess 2]

or..to cut it short..ones gray and ones green LOL

 

 

xx v xx

[FastCargo 412]

or..to cut it short..ones gray and ones green LOL

 

 

xx v xx

 

Actually, no.

 

Both versions are grey...the C model is a lighter grey, the E model a darker grey.

 

FC

[Abhi 3]

Both versions are grey...the C model is a lighter grey, the E model a darker grey.

FC,AFIK E version sports a dark green camo and a dark grey camo.

Second, i know whats the difference in avionics but i want to know what is the visual difference apart from dual canopy.

[Caesar 305]

I think the most visible difference (other than the two-position cockpit) is the CFTs (or is it FAST packs?) that the F-15E typically carries. As the article Fubar512 posted indicates, the CFTs are compatible with the F-15C also, but I almost always see them on the Echo, not as much on the Charlie.

[+Dave 2,322]

Both versions are grey...the C model is a lighter grey, the E model a darker grey.

FC,AFIK E version sports a dark green camo and a dark grey camo.

Second, i know whats the difference in avionics but i want to know what is the visual difference apart from dual canopy.

 

E has been dark grey since it became operational. They had a EURO green colored prototype but that was not used on the production models. Also F-15E has FAST packs on it that are never removed. It carries the LANTIRN system. Just go to Airliners.net and type in F-15E and C and the differences are abvious.

[FastCargo 412]

As far as the CFTs go, realize there were actually several versions of the CFTs made. The CFTs that the C model can carry are different from the CFTs that the E model carries. Things like mounting of the A2A missiles and A2G pylons. That was one of the changes made in the Eagle model upgrades that have been posted here.

 

The E model pretty much never flies without the CFTs (it has flown without them, but it's very rare, and usually for specific events/cases). The C models on the other hand almost never fly with the CFTs. The Iceland (and maybe Alaska) guys were the units that flew with them on a fairly regular basis, but I think they've stopped doing that.

 

FC

[+Dave 2,322]

FC

 

I went down to our safety office and asked LTC "Wild Bill" Barton (wing safety guru) who is a former Eagle Driver and he said at Kadena for awhile they used them too but it was getting rarer when he left.

[FastCargo 412]

USAFBLT,

 

Thanks brotha...I knew only a few units used them but wasn't sure which ones. Iceland were the only guys I knew for sure had them. I've hardly ever seen them on C/D models...pictures are fairly rare.

 

FC

[+Dave 2,322]

USAFBLT,

 

Thanks brotha...I knew only a few units used them but wasn't sure which ones. Iceland were the only guys I knew for sure had them. I've hardly ever seen them on C/D models...pictures are fairly rare.

 

FC

 

Yeah I have only found about a half dozen pics. LTC Barton said they hated carrying them. With those FAST packs and 3 bags he said it limited your speed, but gave them a great loiter time.

[SayethWhaaaa 245]

Israelis are sposed to use them reasonably frequently on their C/Ds, or so I've heard.

[JediMaster 451]

They don't need the extra loiter time there, but it's possible they've altered them to carry other stuff.

[Abhi 3]

the russians clain that their S-400 SAM wll knock out any aircraft in world.considering the SAM threat how will F-15E perform in such a volatile environment.

[SayethWhaaaa 245]

The "(Insert country here) claim that their (Insert platform here) will knock out any aircraft in world."

 

...statement has been around since the dawn of warfare. And as always, over time, countermeasures and counterparts are always developed. There will be something better than the F-15E. There will be something better than the F-22. There will be something better than the S-400, or the AIM-9X, or the T-90, the M-4 assault rifle, Spectra body armour, Metal Storm CIWS... and so on. Whatever it is, be it a platform, or electronic or operational countermeasures or whatever, it's being worked on as we speak.

Edited December 10, 2009 by Say What?!

[DWCAce 19]

the russians clain that their S-400 SAM wll knock out any aircraft in world.considering the SAM threat how will F-15E perform in such a volatile environment.

 

The Russians (as in the government, not the everyday dude on the street) have boasted such things before, and they've been defeated (the systems that is). Mig-15, -17, -19, -21,-23/27, -29, Sa-2, -3, etc. all defeated by various countries.

[macelena 1,070]

the russians clain that their S-400 SAM wll knock out any aircraft in world.considering the SAM threat how will F-15E perform in such a volatile environment.

 

SA-2 SAMs would knock out phantoms also if allowed to operate at will

 

S-400 emplacements make a target too good for AGM-88E. And mine is the dumbest of the solutions for the SAM trouble

[Abhi 3]

ok thanx guys.