Two F-15A Eagles on an airfield, viewed from the front with landing gear down, twin tail fins, and mountains beneath a cloudy sky.

Courtesy Photo War.gov, via DVIDS

Entered service 1976 · U.S. Air Force

F-15 Eagle

A twin-engine fighter built to seize control of the sky and keep enemy aircraft out of the fight.

The Inside Story

n the right flight conditions, the original Eagle could gain speed climbing straight up. Its radar could pick out low-flying aircraft against the ground below, where terrain clutter could hide a target.

Head-up display

Aim without looking down at instruments

F-15A Streak Eagle

Eight world climb records in 1975

F-15Cs in Desert Storm

34 of 37 USAF air-to-air victories

1985 satellite test

Jet-launched missile hit a satellite