READER RESPONSE DRAFT #3

 The F-15E Strike Eagle, a variant of the F-15 fighter family, excels as a versatile, dual-role aircraft (Air Force, 2019). It is designed for both air-to-air combat and precision air-to-ground strikes, making it a highly capable and adaptable fighter (Air Force, 2019). Since their merger, Boeing has replaced McDonnell Douglas as the fighter's manufacturer (Owen, 2023). The cropped delta wings are swept back at 45 degrees, which contributes to the fighter's flight and combat abilities (Zorro, 2017). It lacks leading-edge flaps, while the trailing edge is equipped with ailerons and a basic high-lift flap (Zorro, 2017). Due to these reasons, the plane has a low wing loading which gives it excellent maneuverability without compromising speed (Zorro, 2017). Titanium is used in the construction of the wing spars, which reinforces the wings from within, as it is more lightweight and durable than steel (Harris, 2023). As later variants of the F-15, a semi-monocoque fighter aircraft, are constructed entirely of aluminum (Zorro, 2017), the wings are made from aluminum.

Despite the F-15E's superb performance, the USAF wisely prioritized mass production of the more cost-effective and maneuverable F-16 for use in most scenarios.

Maneuverability is crucial to the United States Air Force to achieve air superiority, which directly leads to increased survivability for the aircraft and pilots, especially in a war of attrition. The importance of maneuverability has only increased as the United States' enemies develop more sophisticated fighters and missiles to restrict the USAF's operational capabilities.

The Air Force (2021) describes the F-16 Fighting Falcon as a fighter aircraft designed for multiple roles and exceptional maneuverability. The latter was accomplished by using both the front flaps and rear flaperons, which can adjust to various angles and cambers, allowing the wings to optimize performance under different conditions (Pearl Habor Aviation Museum, 2017). The wings of the F-16 are also substantially smaller than those of the F-15E, measuring 9.8 meters (Air Force, 2021) compared to 13 meters respectively (Air Force 2019), which reduces the weight and increases maneuverability. Air Force Maj. Emmett Tullia II managed to outmaneuver six Iraqi surface-to-air missiles and save his life (Schogol, 2022), a feat that might not have been possible in the F-15E.

The F-16 has a cost advantage, priced at $18.8 million in 1998 for the F-16C/D variants (Air Force, 2021), compared to $31.1 million for the F-15E (Air Force, 2019). This is partially explained by the wings on the F-16 being smaller and thus, using less material. The lower costs have enabled the USAF to field 1017 F-16C/D (Air Force, 2021) planes, compared to 219 F-15Es (Air Force, 2019). As mentioned previously, the USAF will want to be able to field as many fighters as possible, while also being able to replace their losses when at war with a near-peer opponent such as China. A larger inventory of planes also enables the US to sell or donate them as aid, providing the US with more income and protecting its interests overseas.

The F-15E's complexity also hinders its maintenance process, requiring significantly more resources and time compared to the less complex F-16. In this example, an F-15E from Mountain Home Air Force Base underwent repairs lasting longer than 4 years (Cenciotti, 2024). Titanium, which was used in the construction of the F-15E had not been worked on by the teams on base (Cenciotti, 2024), thus time had to be dedicated to material and fabrication research. The F-16 on the other hand does not utilize high strength-to-weight materials, such as titanium, composites, or other advanced materials (Hillaker, 2004). The absence of advanced materials means the maintenance crew has plenty of experience working on the materials. This allows the F-16 to be operated and maintained in air bases and countries lacking access to the necessary technical knowledge and materials to conduct repair and maintenance. 

While the F-16s are generally preferred for the traits mentioned previously, the F-15E's larger wings allow it to carry heavier payloads, and its titanium wing spars enhance its durability under fire, making it the superior air-to-ground fighter. The F-15E has a maximum payload of 23000 lbs, which translates to four Lockheed Martin/ Raytheon AIM-9LM infrared-guided Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, four Raytheon AIM-7F/M radar-guided Sparrow air-to-air missiles or eight Raytheon AMRAAM radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles (Airforce Technology, n.d.). 

In a nutshell, the F-16 is the ideal choice for most scenarios as it provides more than sufficient performance for a relatively lower price. Most hostile nations either do not possess enough sophisticated aircraft or even at all to contest the F-16s. However, the F-15E still has its uses when air superiority and close air support make or break an operation.

References

Air Force. (2019, April). F-15 Eagle. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104501/

Air Force. (2021, September). F-16 Fighting Falcon. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104505/f-16-fighting-falcon/

Airforce Technology (n.d.). F-15E “Strike” Eagle, Airforce Technology. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f15/?cf-view&cf-closed

Cenciotti, D. (2024, October 11). F-15E returns to active service after spending more than four years grounded. The Aviationist. https://theaviationist.com/2024/10/11/f-15e-returns-to-active-service-after-spending-more-than-four-years-grounded/

Harris, T. (2023, October 19). How the F15 Works. HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/f-15.htm

Hillaker, H. J. (2004, March 1). Technology and the F-16 Fighting Falcon Jet Fighter. The Bridge: Centennial of Aviation, Volume 34, Issue 1. National Academy of Engineering. https://www.nae.edu/19579/19582/21020/7350/7447/TechnologyandtheF-16FightingFalconJetFighter

Owen, J. (2023, December 11). What made the F-15 eagle jet a legend of the skies. SlashGear. https://www.slashgear.com/1467353/f-15-eagle-history/

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. (2017, September 26). General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org/blog/general-dynamicslockheed-martin-f-16/#:~:text=On%20the%20F-16,%20the%20rear%20flaps%20are%20called%20flaperons%20to

Schogol, J. (2022, July 11). Air Force F-16 pilot explains how he dodged 6 missiles during insane Gulf War mission. Task & Purpose. https://taskandpurpose.com/history/air-force-f-16-gulf-war-missiles/#:~:text=Air%20Force%20Maj.%20Emmett%20Tullia%20II%20escaped%20death%20half%20a

Zorro, M. H. (2017, January 1). F-15 Eagle. Plane-Encyclopedia. https://plane-encyclopedia.com/cold-war/f-15-eagle/


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