Question about the F-15 S/MTD

[tonipm99]

So, I was looking for info on the F-15 S/MTD, and realized that there were two F-15s with canards and TVC; S/N 71-0290 (the one which we've always seen) and S/N 71-0291.

 

There's only one image available, which I thought to be faked as it was not only armed, but also painted in a green camo;

 

 

The camo is the same in another shot of the 71-0291;

 

 

My question is; does anyone have more info about this? I know 71-0291 was used as a testbed for the F-15E and also used for the bicentennial of the US, but there is absolutely no info about it being ever modified with TVC and canards. Also, all images of the "real" S/MTD and later ACTIVE show that its S/N is 71-0290.

[+1977Frenchie]

There is plenty images available of this particular bird...

 

The F-15 S/MTD is an American test aircraft with canards and 2D thrust vectoring nozzles (that was later upgraded to 3D thrust vectoring). It was built to study the effects and advantages of thrust vectoring nozzles. It was later used as the F-15 ACTIVE (Advanced Control Technology for Integrated Vehicles) from 1993–1999 and from 1999 to 2008 for the Intelligent flight control system program. The two cockpits were equipped with the electronics of the F-15F Strike Eagle, while the canards are the horizontal stabilizators of the F/A-18 Hornet.

 

So the Canards are okay, the exhaust nozzles??? But for the Camo... forget it as it was a NASA bird...

[+streakeagle]

I believe any image showing 0291 with canards/nozzles is photoshopped. Only one ACTIVE demonstrator.

[+Menrva]

I believe any image showing 0291 with canards/nozzles is photoshopped. Only one ACTIVE demonstrator.

 

Especially the first one, since it resembles a F-15S/MTD which was included in some Ace Combat games. It had that kind of nozzles, not the usual ones. I guess it's photoshopped, nice one though.

[tonipm99]

Actually, the S/MTD had these nozzles;

 

 

In the 90s it was modified a second time with the 3D TVC seen in Frenchie's image. I guess I'll just forget about it. Too bad there's not much info about the whole S/MTD and later ACTIVE projects. Thanks for your answers people.

[+Menrva]

I didn't know, thanks for the info tonipm99!  I agree, what a pity that there is not much info regarding this plane.

[+streakeagle]

I don't particularly care for the vector nozzles, as they add quite a bit weight, reduce the power output of the engine, and give you minimal return except at the very edges of the flight envelope, particularly at low speeds. However, the F-15 was really cheated out of being the dogfighter it could have been due to a lack of a leading edge flap or slat and no maneuvering flaps. So, the canard does a lot to fix that without even having vector nozzles. Of course with a canard and vector nozzles, the F-15 could finally dance with the other teen fighters who all add much better low speed/high-AoA characteristics.