Date Posted: 2012-04-04 23:24:33.
Subject: Meiya air Headquartered in Sanya & Seaplane
Name: samward
Message: On March 26th, Meiya air headquartered in Sanya & seaplane delivery and order signing ceremony mainly organized by Sanya Municipal People’s Government and CaaC Central and Southern Regional administration, assisted by Meiya air Co., Ltd. was held in Sanya. Vice Mayor of Sanya Zhou Gaoming participated the ceremony entrusted by Mayor of Sanya Wang Yong. Vice Director of CaaC Central and Southern Regional administration Qin Xisheng, Stationmaster of CaaC Sanya air Traffic Management Station Lan Jianqiong, Director of CaaC Sanya Safety Oversight administration an Yingze, Division Chief of Ga Department of CaaC Central and Southern Regional administration Feng Hongsheng, Director of Sanya Development and Reform Commission Zhang Li, Director of Financial Bureau of Sanya Xu Huanzhong, Director of Urban Planning Bureau of Sanya Su Jinming, Director of Sanya Resource Bureau of Land and Environment Cheng Chunman, Director of Transportation Bureau of Sanya Huang Xinghai, Director of Sanya Marine Fishery agency Zhang Huazhong, Director of Sanya Maritime Safety administration Zhang Xipeng, Director of Sanya Land Reserve Center Ji Duanrong, Chairman of Sanya Urban Investment and Development Co., Ltd. Li Wei, International Sales Vice President of Cessna aircraft Company Bill Harris, and Commercial Officer of american Consulate General Guangzhou Jay Biggs have participated the ceremony.

General Manager of Meiya air Deng Jun introduced: Meiya air is a complete Ga operation industry chain integrated with the Ga policy and tourism resources in Hainan and Sanya. It will drive the subsidiary project constructions. Meiya air headquarter is composed with four parts as Sanya International Seaplane Center, Meiya air Industrial Park, Meiya air Seaplane Operation and Passenger Center and Meiya air Headquarter Office Building and Living area. Meiya air business takes seaplane and amphibian aircraft as main type, combines with major projects such as air tour, air exhibition, flight carnival, aircraft sales, FBO and flight training etc.

In this two Cessna208 aircrafts delivery ceremony, Vice Mayor Zhou Gaoming on behalf of Sanya Government said: the development of Meiya air program can greatly improve the tourism environment of Sanya and bring social capital. Meanwhile, it can also enhance the high-standard tourism image of Sanya, and increase employment and tax revenue. It will play a dual role to stimulate both the tourism and Ga industry in Sanya and Hainan. It will also transfer the land economy of Sanya to marine economy which has innovative significance.

On that day, Meiya air continued signing the order of 10 aircrafts with the world’s largest Ga aircraft manufacturer Cessna. Until 2015, Meiya air plans to have a fleet of 20 aircrafts in Sanya.

The vice director of CaaC Central and Southern Regional administration Qin Xisheng concluded: as the first seaplane commercial operation project in China, Meiya air headquartered in Sanya signifies that Sanya made an important step in the development of Ga.

Date Posted: 2012-03-03 20:51:20.
Subject: China’s Business Jet Market Explodes
Name: aaachina
Message: The otherwise dormant Chinese business jet market has come to a turning point, triggered by the air control relax reform. This week, airbus and Boeing have held their press conference, predicting that each of them will sell over 5 business jets to China each year, while Bombardier also showed that over the next 10 years, total sales of business jets in China will reach over 600 units.

according to Li Bing, sales superintendent of Boeing Greater China, government, large corporates, business leaders etc are their main clients. This year Boeing is expected to deliver 3 business jets, mainly to VIP charters such as Hainan airlines, and air China. Upto now Boeing has sold 195 business jets worldwide. although only with 8 Boeing jets, China is among the fastest growing regions.

Comparatively, airbus’s business jet marketing in China is much quicker. among its 170 sets of business jets sold worldwide, China owned 20. This year airbus has already sold 2 jets to China, to be delivered to DeerJet and Southern airlines. Last year, airbus sold 15 business jets worldwide, China took 15%.

The largest business jets represented by BBJ (Boeing) and aCJ (airbus) with dozens of passenger capacity, have a space 4 times that of smaller ones such as Bombardier and Gulfstream. Their flight range is also much longer. However, with the convenience of spareparts and repair service sharing of their mainstream jets, their operation cost is yet lower than those smaller jets, therefore the big business jets of Boeing and airbus have been securing their position as the topmost business jet suppliers.

In the myriad of business aircraft types, helicopter is also an important member. EuroCopter, world’s largest helicopter manufacturer said, along with the opening of the low sky, demand of helicopters in China will also be released, which is suppressed for too long.

Recent data showed that currently China has no more than 100 private jets, while the U.S. has more than 18000 business aircrafts.

at the moment, the Beijing Capital airlines, which is a joint venture of Hainan airlines and Beijing Capital Tourism, is the largest business jet operator, Its predecessor was the DeerJet. Capital airlines has 24 business jets, and hence has the largest fleet in asia Pacific region, accounting for 90% of China’s total fleet. To meet with the market change of wealth redistribution to the Orient, China airlines, Eastern airlines and Southern airlines are also planning for the business aviation.

China airlines plans to set up a joint venture with the Beijing Municipal Government to operate VIP chartering. a new type of BBJ jet will be purchased. Previously the China airlines has only 4 Gulfstream jets under management. Eastern airlines invested RMB 50 million in a business jet charter company in 2008, and plans to increase its fleet to 3 this year. Southern airlines, until now not yet involved in business aviation, has also planned to procure a aCJ business jet, and will probably found an independent business jet company.

However, air control in China has impeded the business jet chartering. Passengers are unable to drive directly to beside the jet to get aboard, nor can they alter their route at the last moment. In addition, apart from a few cities with business jet terminals, the rest of Chinese cities have no specialized facilities for business charters. These two factors have become the two largest barriers towards successful development of the Chinese business aviation market and industry, therefore, industry insiders predict that it needs time before the market will really take off.

---

Mr Chen Minghua, CEO of aaa (www.helioslab.org)

Date Posted: 2012-12-27 03:45:55.
Subject: MiG-21 - still unpleasant surprise at Cope India e
Name: michael82
Message: Draft copy of the exercise Cope India report says:
While the superb performances of IaF Sukhoi-30s were somewhat anticipated, the performance of MiG-21Bison came as a major “unpleasant surprise” to the USaF officials. It also validates the claim of the Russian officials that they are capable of successfully converting “second generation” late-model MiG-21bis fighters to “fourth generation combat platforms”. Inherently the significant positive attributes enjoyed by MiG-21s were their dog fighting ability in WVR (Within Visual Range) combat. Even the earlier models had a low corner velocity of 556 kilometers per hour and at Mach 0.5 had an instantaneous turn rate of 11.1 degrees per second. The MiG-21Bison with more powerful R-25 engines not only considerably bettered this performance but it may also be credited with “jackrabbit” acceleration, a very critical attribute in WVR combat.

Something in-line to:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Performance-Practice-Unexploited-maneuverability/dp/8660210174/ref" class="usrwhite">http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Performance-Practice-Unexploited-maneuverability/dp/8660210174/refa>=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356439329&sr=1-1

among many fourth generations attributes added to the IaF MiG-21Bison design, the incorporation of HMS (Helmet Mounted Sight) and high-off-boresight R-73RDM2 NBVR/WVR (Near Beyond Visual Range/Within Visual Range) aaMs (air-to-air Missiles) have turned it into a “Great Equalizer” in the WVR combat scenario. Conceptually a small number of MiG-21Bisons maintaining “radar silence” can be guided towards their aerial target by a couple of Sukhoi-30s by secure data links in accordance with MFFC (Mixed Fighter Force Concept). Upon entering into an WVR combat envelope the MiG-21Bisons armed with HMS and deadly NBVR/WVR missiles had the capability of destroying even fifth-generation fighters alike F/a-22 Raptor as assessed by high-profile Fighter analyst Ben Lambeth of RaND Corporation. according to Lambeth “in visual combat everybody dies at the same rate.” F/a-22 also has to slow down if forced into a WVR combat scenario and loses the advantage of its super-cruise attributes. The situation further complicates if the IaF Sukhoi-30s have acquired the capability of providing target illumination for RVV-aE (aa-12 adder) BVR missiles being launched from IaF MiG-21Bisons at extended ranges.

Date Posted: 2004-10-09 03:57:25.
Subject: against unmanned aircraft
Name:
Message: people who is with me im sick of unmanned aircraft takin ower jobs im a student pilot at the moment here in australia and looking for a carrer in the RaaF when im old enough to join but i always see documentrys on unmanned aircraft it getts me annoyed becuase hey us pilots are here to serve and fly the aircraft u know fair enough u might get shot down but thats what happens in war, let us have the fun of flying a multimillion dollar aircraft and destroying ower targets, we might make a mistake here and there but what happend if the computer suddenly fries or the aircraft gets hacked but some little terriost who listen in computer studdies u might have a situation that u might not have no control and it could destroy what ever it wants (hey anything is possible nower days u never know who your at war with) if a human is in the cockpit flying the aircraft the pilot can shut down the system and then eject u might loos a multimillion dollar aircraft but hey none of the allied troops or government are harmed but theres allways another side of the story u dont just get the technoldegy u need people to creat it and that creats jobs less pilots will die and if the person who is in command of the UaV's for some reason can not fly the aircraft any more he can swop over to another person so you can creat longer missions what im bacly sayin is that pilots train for along period of time im 16 at the moment started flyin at 15 and ill be flying for the rest of my life and when u get excite becuase your joinin the militay and you have been in for a few years trainin and theres a shortage of aircraft then hey the government is goin to buy more aircraft then u find out its a UaV it would get u annoyed because a computer has just taken over you role which you have gone threw the hardest pilots trainin in the country for nothing bacly thats my thorts

Date Posted: 2008-08-23 04:22:54.
Subject: aircraft that should return to the air
Name: v_bomber
Message: TSR2 it was MORE advanced than the tornado and it origanated from a 1956 order (english eletric actually began work in the late 40s!!! Thinking that ot would be wanted) It was more advanced than f111 they were worried that if we exported it f111 sales would fall dramitically It got everything right and was better than the order specification. The first prototype flew over 20 flights but there were many prototypes after it.

The second prototype would never fly; the government, in the Budget Day announcement on the 6th of april 1965, announced that the TSR.2 programme was to be terminated immediately. The aircrew were at the time having lunch in a pub near Boscombe Down; on hearing the shocking announcement they rushed back to the airfield in an attempt to get XR220 into the air and to at least present the government with a second flying prototype. This was not to be; permission was denied. While the management of BaC were informed before the budget speech was made, they were forbidden to tell their employees, who then had to hear the news on the radio. The House of Commons was in uproar over the cancellation; but no debate could take place during the budget speech so not only had the government treated BaC's workforce with contempt, they had tried to slip a major defence project cancellation past the opposition. a debate one week later in the house was a rough ride for Denis Healey (the new Defence Minister), who tried to justify the cancellation on the basis that the F-111 could be bought more cheaply, though he could not state a cost or exact timescale for the buy. Healey has since stated that getting american backing for an International Monetary Fund loan was not a reason behind the British order for the F-111 instead of continuing the TSR.2 programme. However, the TSR.2 was certainly a serious worry to the americans, being vastly more capable than the F-111 and could have made a serious dent in the F-111's export prospects. a denial from a politician, as the TSR.2 programme showed on numerous individual occasions, is not worth the paper they refuse to write it on.

---

'The distant flash of lightning howling through the thunder' ex RaF ligthning pilot recalling lightning of 1973 through thunder

Date Posted: 2004-08-15 14:17:38.
Subject: aircraft that should return to the air
Name:
Message: obsolete: 1 no longer in use: an obsolete word. 2 outmoded in design, style, or construction: an obsolete locomotive.

the b36 was superceded by the b47 and by the time it was completely removed from service, the b52. both of these were a generation past the b36--swept wing high subsonic jets with mid-air refueling capabilities. they could also carry the same or more in terms of payload. the b36 was essentially a pre-ww2 design that didn't fly until after the war ended. it was an anachronism.

the sr71 is a great aircraft. however it is 5 times more expensive to operate than the u2. on the other hand it only takes 1/4 the time to fly a mission. its special capabilities are no longer needed however. satellites have taken over the recce mission especially over extremely hostile territory--china, russia, etc. the u2 is also much more mission adaptable. wing pods with extra sensors can be added.

the f4 phantom ii was replaced by the f14 and f15 in the navy and usaf respectively. both of these aircraft are much more capable in every way in comparison to the f4. also of mention is the fact that they were designed to operate much better in the subsonic--especially in a dogfighting scenerio. the f4 after all was not much more than a flying brick at low speed.

the yf23 was deemed not as good as what has become the f22. in that fly off many criteria were looked at.

the c123 was not nearly as capable as the c130. talk to anybody who deals with airlift and they will tell you that anywhere you can put a dc3 down you can put a c130 down. and it can carry so much more than the old c123.

usaf still has some c141 aircraft in its inventory. they have mostly been replaced by the c17. the c17 can carry much more cargo and land it on shorter and rougher strips.

the f20 was a great follow on to the f5. however a few crashes during the showings to many countries all but doomed it. the last nail in the coffin was that usaf didn't buy any. so all the prospect customers decided to buy the f16 instead. the f16 is a much more capable aircraft and can carry a lot more external stores.

the f101 voodoo was a great post-korea interceptor. by vietnam it had been eclipsed by better aircraft like the f4.

the f105 was nothing more than a high speed bomber. it was not designed to tangle with other fighters. as such it was inferior to the f4 in many respects. and by far it was inferior to the f15. it was also lost in greater numbers over vietnam than any other fixed wing aircraft.

Date Posted: 2007-04-08 23:44:41.
Subject: US vs RUSSIa
Name: alwayshot
Message: You have a pretty good perspective on the subject. People Will disagree with a lot of this, and these are just my opinions. But they are the result of a lot of reading and experience. and my opinion is that any confrontation would be much like the Cuban Missile Crisis, a good old Mexican Standoff. Both sides are simply too tough.

as far as air power goes, the Russians do have some formidable aircraft. But there is a reason the USa has an unchallenged air force:-->track record. also to be considered is the fact that american aircraft have been squaring off against comparable Russian aircraft for half a century now, always with discouraging results for the Russian aircraft.

Enough flag waving though. Why would this question even be considered? The air force is just about to become as obsolete as the calvary. Lasers and other ray type weapons are coming out of the woodwork every day. They can be deployed on items like ... satellites for instance. Future versions will be able to either focus on a pinpoint precision target, or fan out like an umbrella. and much of this already a reality, deployment is the next phase. Once that happens an aircraft will be one of the least survivable of all military vehicles. Maybe this is why we are suddenly spending so much on the development of a cloaking device? Or maybe trekkies are just bored.

For those that think nukes wouldn't be involved in the initial conflict? If it were to happen, and the first incident were a naval one, there could very easily be an exchange of tactical nukes. There is very little consequence for the use of nukes in a maritime environment.

But one thing you were right on the mark about; the superpowers definitely don't want to be adversaries any more than they already are in today's world. We all already have more issues than we need to deal with. The biggest thing to worry about in this area is the rumored goal of al Qaeda, which would be to involve China and the western powers in a major war.

as far as bragging rights about Russia and the USa? Both countries have formidable and capable armed forces. absolutely no one wants to see the proof of a definitive answer to this one.

Date Posted: 2005-09-07 15:44:23.
Subject: Please identify mystery UK all-grey prop plane
Name:
Message: Please help solve this mystery which has been intriguing me for a long time.

In the summer of 1987 (or thereabouts) I was a student in Durham city, Durham county, UK. One day I was sitting at my desk next to the window working. I was on the top floor of a tall long terrace of houses of three or four stories (I think the street was called Old Elvet), which was on the edge of shallow valley so that I was overlooking the meadows towards the river. (Not the very steep valley near the cathedral).

I happened to look up, and was surprised to see a small airplane silently coming in a glide towards me (to be exact it was a little to one side) with the engine switched off. It was about to crash into the terrace of houses, but at literally the last second the engine was switched on and it just managed to hop over the roofs. I had not heard it before, so it may have had the engine turned off for a long time.

The aircraft was unusual. It was painted all over in the same shade of light grey - the same shade as an overcast sky. I presume this was to camoflage it against the sky. I do not remember any identification letters. It also had what I think might be called a rotary engine as I could see the piston cases arranged in a circle around the propellar shaft. The wings were fixed at the roof of the cabin. It was not a Cesna or any modern plane. It looked like something out of the 1930s or 1940s perhaps.

I would like to know, not so much which brand of plane it was, but who owned it?

It might perhaps have been a local air Cadets group doing a training run, but this seemed incredibly dangerous to do, since if the engine had not started, or if there had been a slight miscalculation by the pilot, then he/she would have crashed and probably died.

I also had a very tenuous 'romantic' link (an unwanted and unwelcome link both then and now) with someone whom I have recently learn had become extremely successful in the entertainments industry at that time. So I have wondered if it was a spy plane used by the tabloid press or some freelancers to try to take a snap of me? (OK, so maybe I'm paranoid!)

Could anyone tell me anything about this mystery plane please? Thanks.

Date Posted: 2007-05-21 21:08:57.
Subject: replacment for F-15
Name: jaws8u122691
Message: Why replace it? The F-15 Eagle has a perfect combat record of 101 victories and zero defeats.
During the Balkan conflict, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions.
The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.
The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.
a multimission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, 'identification friend or foe' system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.
The head-up display projects on the windscreen all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides the pilot information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.
The F-15's versatile pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.
a variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. an automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the head-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the head-up display.
The Eagle can be armed with combinations of four different air-to-air weapons: aIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or aIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, aIM-9L/M Sidewinder or aIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings, and an internal 20mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.
Low-drag, conformal fuel tanks were especially developed for the F-15C and D models. Conformal fuel tanks can be attached to the sides of the engine air intake trunks under each wing and are designed to the same load factors and airspeed limits as the basic aircraft. Each conformal fuel tank contains about 114 cubic feet of usable space. These tanks reduce the need for in-flight refueling on global missions and increase time in the combat area. all external stations for munitions remain available with the tanks in use. aIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles, moreover, can be attached to the corners of the conformal fuel tanks.
The F-15E is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system.
For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution aPG-70 radar and low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods.
The F-15 Eagle is one of the most capable multirole fighters in the world. The F-15 entered service in 1974 and has attained an unprecedented perfect air combat record of 100.5 victories and zero losses. F-15s were responsible for downing 33 of the 35 fixed-wing aircraft Iraq lost in air combat during Operation Desert Storm, and the F-15 was responsible for downing four Mig-29 fighters during the Balkan conflict. In Desert Storm, the F-15E strike fighter provided devastatingly effective flying at night and in bad weather to attack numerous mobile Scud missile launchers and other high-value military and ground targets. The F-15E also maintained a 95.5 percent average mission capable rate, the highest of any fighter in the war. In the Balkans, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions. The F-15E can carry payloads of up to 23,000 pounds and is the only fighter in U.S. production capable of performing the long-range, precision strike mission.
More than 1,500 F-15s have been produced for both domestic and international customers, and have accumulated more than 4.4 million flight hours. approximately 1,150 F-15s are still in service worldwide with the U.S. air Force and air National Guard, and with the air forces of Israel, Japan and Saudi arabia.

Date Posted: 2007-05-18 16:09:59.
Subject: replacment for F-15
Name: jaws8u122691
Message: Why replace it? The F-15 Eagle has a perfect combat record of 101 victories and zero defeats.
During the Balkan conflict, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions.
The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.
The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.
a multimission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, 'identification friend or foe' system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.
The head-up display projects on the windscreen all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides the pilot information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.
The F-15's versatile pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.
a variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. an automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the head-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the head-up display.
The Eagle can be armed with combinations of four different air-to-air weapons: aIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or aIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, aIM-9L/M Sidewinder or aIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings, and an internal 20mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.
Low-drag, conformal fuel tanks were especially developed for the F-15C and D models. Conformal fuel tanks can be attached to the sides of the engine air intake trunks under each wing and are designed to the same load factors and airspeed limits as the basic aircraft. Each conformal fuel tank contains about 114 cubic feet of usable space. These tanks reduce the need for in-flight refueling on global missions and increase time in the combat area. all external stations for munitions remain available with the tanks in use. aIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles, moreover, can be attached to the corners of the conformal fuel tanks.
The F-15E is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system.
For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution aPG-70 radar and low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods.
The F-15 Eagle is one of the most capable multirole fighters in the world. The F-15 entered service in 1974 and has attained an unprecedented perfect air combat record of 100.5 victories and zero losses. F-15s were responsible for downing 33 of the 35 fixed-wing aircraft Iraq lost in air combat during Operation Desert Storm, and the F-15 was responsible for downing four Mig-29 fighters during the Balkan conflict. In Desert Storm, the F-15E strike fighter provided devastatingly effective flying at night and in bad weather to attack numerous mobile Scud missile launchers and other high-value military and ground targets. The F-15E also maintained a 95.5 percent average mission capable rate, the highest of any fighter in the war. In the Balkans, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions. The F-15E can carry payloads of up to 23,000 pounds and is the only fighter in U.S. production capable of performing the long-range, precision strike mission.
More than 1,500 F-15s have been produced for both domestic and international customers, and have accumulated more than 4.4 million flight hours. approximately 1,150 F-15s are still in service worldwide with the U.S. air Force and air National Guard, and with the air forces of Israel, Japan and Saudi arabia.