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.