Aircraft & UAVs

F-15E Strike Eagle

Also known as
  • F-15E
  • Strike Eagle
  • McDonnell Douglas F-15E
  • Boeing F-15E

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat U.S. dual-role fighter built for long-range interdiction, precision attack, and self-escorted air-to-air combat. Its conformal fuel tanks, targeting/navigation pods, radar, and two-person cockpit made it a night-strike aircraft in the 1990 Gulf War and a recurring U.S. and export-derivative strike platform in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, counter-ISIL operations, and later Middle East crises.

F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: F-15E Strike Eagle over Afghanistan

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Dual-role strike fighter
Service note
Initial operating capability in 1989; still in U.S. Air Force service
Designer
McDonnell Douglas
Designed
1980s
Unit cost
$31.1 million in FY1998 constant dollars
Produced
First production delivery in April 1988
Number built
219 in U.S. Air Force total force inventory listed by USAF in 2019

Specifications

Crew
2: pilot and weapon systems officer
Power plant
Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofan engines
Maximum speed
1,875 mph / Mach 2.5 plus
Ferry range
2,400 miles with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Ceiling
60,000 feet
Armament
Internal 20 mm multibarrel gun, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and air-to-surface weapons carried by the U.S. Air Force
Variants

The Strike Eagle branch includes U.S. F-15E aircraft and export derivatives tailored for Israel, South Korea, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia; this page keeps the U.S. F-15E as the main subject while linking cataloged derivatives where available.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
F-15I Ra'amIsraeli export derivative

The Times of Israel source documents Israeli Air Force F-15I Ra'am use during an operational sortie over Gaza.

Sources: IDF says Air Force chief carried out sortie, struck Hamas targets in Gaza this week

F-15S strike aircraft, Two-seat multirole strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-15S strike aircraftSaudi export strike derivative

The F-15S catalog record covers Saudi Arabia's F-15E-derived strike aircraft and its Yemen-war service context.

Sources: Royal Saudi Air Force Orders Additional GE F110 Engines for F-15S Aircraft

F-15K Slam EagleSouth Korean export derivative

Specialist reference material lists the F-15K Slam Eagle as a Strike Eagle derivative for South Korea.

Sources: Weaponsystems.net F-15E Strike Eagle

F-15SGSingapore export derivative

Specialist reference material lists the F-15SG as a Strike Eagle derivative for Singapore.

Sources: Weaponsystems.net F-15E Strike Eagle

Carried Munitions

Air Force, Navy, museum, and Boeing sources document the Strike Eagle carrying or being cleared for guided bombs, air-to-air missiles, and standoff weapons.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-9X Sidewinder missileShort-range infrared air-to-air missile

Air Force reporting shows an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons load crew preparing an AIM-9X Sidewinder to attach to a pylon.

Sources: Weapons load crew arms F-15E Strike Eagle

AIM-120D AMRAAM air-to-air missile, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-120D AMRAAM air-to-air missileAir-to-air missile

The AFCENT photo documents an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons load crew attaching an AIM-120D to a pylon during loading on July 15, 2019.

Sources: AFCENT AIM-120D pylon photo

AGM-65 Maverick, Air-to-surface guided missile, MunitionsAGM-65 MaverickAir-to-surface guided missile

The AGM-65 Maverick fact sheet identifies the F-15E as one of the aircraft that carries Mavericks.

Sources: AGM-65 Maverick Fact Sheet

AGM-154 JSOW, Air-launched guided glide bomb, MunitionsAGM-154 JSOWAir-launched guided glide bomb

The Navy fact file states JSOW has been integrated on the F-15, and NAVAIR states JSOW-C is compatible with F-15 aircraft.

Sources: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Navy's JSOW C Approved for Full Rate Production

GBU-24 Paveway III, 2,000-pound-class laser-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-24 Paveway III2,000-pound-class laser-guided bomb

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force says F-15E aircraft effectively delivered GBU-24s against high-value targets in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Sources: GBU-24 Paveway III Fact Sheet

GBU-28 Paveway III, 5,000-pound laser-guided penetrator bomb, MunitionsGBU-28 Paveway IIIHard-target laser-guided bomb

Boeing's Advanced F-15 weapons matrix lists GBU-28 among the external weapons carried by Advanced F-15 aircraft.

Sources: Advanced F-15 Weapons Inventory

GBU-31(V)1 Joint Direct Attack Munition, 2,000-pound JDAM bomb, MunitionsGBU-31(V)1 Joint Direct Attack Munition2,000-pound guided bomb

An Air Force article on the maritime JDAM test says the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron equipped an F-15E Strike Eagle with modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions.

Sources: F-15E completes first successful Maritime JDAM test

GBU-31(V)3/B Joint Direct Attack Munition, 2,000-pound GPS/INS-guided hard-target penetrator bomb, MunitionsGBU-31(V)3/B Joint Direct Attack Munition2,000-pound hard-target penetrator bomb

The Air Force JDAM fact sheet lists JDAM as currently compatible with the F-15E.

Sources: Air Force JDAM Fact Sheet

GBU-32 1,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition, 1,000-pound GPS/INS-guided bomb kit, MunitionsGBU-32 1,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition1,000-pound guided bomb

An Air Force training document says the F-15E Strike Eagle can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally.

Sources: Powder River Training Complex Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota

GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I, 250-pound GPS/INS-guided glide bomb, MunitionsGBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I250-pound guided bomb

Air Force reporting says F-15E weapons loaders prepared a Strike Eagle for the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb's first combat sortie.

Sources: New weapon makes job of munitions specialists a 'snap', ACC declares small diameter bomb initially operational

GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II, Air-launched precision-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb IIAir-launched precision-guided bomb

Air Combat Command approved F-15E Strike Eagle operational flights with the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II on Sept. 23, 2020.

Sources: Small Diameter Bomb II approved for operational use

GBU-15 Guided Bomb Unit, Air-to-surface guided glide bomb, MunitionsGBU-15 Guided Bomb UnitGlide bomb

The Air Force fact sheet says the GBU-15 was designed for use with the F-15E and is currently only deployed from the F-15E Strike Eagle.

Sources: GBU-15 Guided Bomb Unit Fact Sheet

Targeting and Sensor Pods

Targeting pods are part of the Strike Eagle's precision-attack package, providing externally mounted sensing and designation support for guided weapons.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Externally mounted electro-optical targeting pod, Support EquipmentSniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33)Advanced targeting pod

Lockheed Martin's Air Force contract announcement ties the Advanced Targeting Pod program to F-15E and F-16 aircraft, and a Commons-hosted Air Force image shows a Sniper pod mounted on an F-15E.

Sources: USAF Selects Lockheed Martin for $843 Million Advanced Targeting POD Contract, Commons F-15E with Sniper pod

Timeline

F-15E Strike Eagle Key Events

  1. Desert Storm night-strike role begins

    U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles deployed for Operation Desert Storm and were used for night attacks against Scud launchers and artillery sites.

    Sources: F-15 Eagle Fact Sheet

  2. GBU-39/B first combat sortie over Iraq

    Air Combat Command reported that two F-15E Strike Eagles flew the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb's first combat sortie in Iraq.

    Sources: ACC declares small diameter bomb initially operational

  3. Operation Odyssey Dawn F-15E loss

    A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya went down after an equipment malfunction; both crew members were recovered.

    Sources: F-15E incident in Libya; crew recovered

  4. F-15Es deploy to Incirlik for counter-ISIL missions

    Six F-15E Strike Eagles arrived at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, for 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve and the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

    Sources: F-15Es arrive at Incirlik Air Base

  5. F-15E strike on ISIS stronghold in Iraq

    An F-15E Strike Eagle from Al Dhafra Air Base conducted a coalition and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service air strike in Salah ad Din Province, Iraq, during anti-ISIS clearing operations.

    Sources: ADAB enables kinetic strikes on ISIS stronghold

  6. F-15E strikes in eastern Syria

    The Defense Department said U.S. Air Force F-15Es struck Iranian-backed militia facilities in eastern Syria near the Iraq border.

    Sources: Defense Official Says F-15s Struck Iranian-Backed Militia Facilities in Syria

  7. Final manned U.S. aircraft leave Afghan airspace

    AFCENT identified F-15E Strike Eagles as the final manned U.S. military aircraft to leave Afghan airspace during the Kabul noncombatant evacuation operation.

    Sources: Red Tails support Afghanistan noncombatant evacuation operation

Media

F-15E Strike Eagle Videos

F-15E Strike Eagle Images

F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: F-15e Eagle 91-0306 ARP
F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: F-15E Strike Eagle Fact Sheet
Related Weapon Systems
F-15I Ra'am, Two-seat long-range strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF-15I Ra'amTwo-seat long-range strike fighterThe F-15I Ra'am is Israel's F-15E-derived two-seat strike fighter, built in the United States with Israeli-specific avionics, communications, electronic-warfare, and helmet-sight equipment. Open-source records tie the 69th Squadron aircraft to long-range strike and interdiction roles from the 2006 Lebanon War through Gaza, Hezbollah, Red Sea/Yemen, and Iran operations, while Boeing and Israeli-reference sources describe the original 25-aircraft fleet, F100-PW-229 engines, APG-70 radar, and precision-weapon compatibility.
F-22 Raptor, Fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF-22 RaptorFifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighterThe F-22 Raptor is a U.S. fifth-generation stealth air-dominance fighter built around low-observable shaping, supercruise, thrust-vectoring F119 engines, integrated avionics, and internal weapons carriage. Designed first for air-to-air control, it also carries JDAM and small-diameter bomb loads for precision strike, with U.S. Air Force sources documenting combat use over Syria and Iraq during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve and CENTCOM material identifying F-22s in the 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer strike package against Iran.
F-15EX Eagle II, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF-15EX Eagle IIMultirole fighter aircraftThe F-15EX Eagle II is Boeing's latest U.S. Air Force F-15 variant, a two-seat multirole fighter intended to replace aging F-15C/D aircraft while adding digital fly-by-wire controls, open mission systems, modern electronic warfare, and a 29,500-pound payload. U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard milestones trace the aircraft from 2021 test delivery through Portland operational fielding, weapons-training coverage, and Kadena transition work.
F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Carrier-capable multirole strike fighterThe F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical) is the National Naval Aviation Museum's label for the original McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 A-D Hornet family, a twin-engine carrier-capable strike fighter that entered Marine Corps service in 1983 and U.S. Navy service in 1984. NAVAIR describes the Hornet as the nation's first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft; its documented combat record spans Libya, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and later coalition campaigns.

Sources

Air Force JDAM Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports JDAM compatibility with the F-15E Strike Eagle. | Accessed: 2026-06-28F-15E Strike Eagle Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports aircraft role, contractor, service entry, engine, dimensions, speed, range, ceiling, crew, armament data, official U.S. Air Force image provenance, and 2003 Iraq War direct use by documenting F-15E Strike Eagles used by the U.S. Air Force in Operation Iraqi Freedom. | Accessed: 2026-07-01F-15 Eagle Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 1990 Gulf War direct use by documenting F-15E deployment for Operation Desert Storm and night attacks against Scud launchers and artillery sites. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Weaponsystems.net F-15E Strike EaglePublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports F-15E family background and export derivative designations including F-15I, F-15K, F-15SG, F-15S, F-15SA, and F-15QA. | Accessed: 2026-07-01AGM-65 Maverick Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports F-15E carriage of AGM-65 Mavericks and documents the aircraft as one of the platforms that carries the missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Weapons load crew arms F-15E Strike EaglePublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports the F-15E Strike Eagle carriage of an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile during weapons loading at Al Dhafra Air Base. | Accessed: 2026-06-28F-15E completes first successful Maritime JDAM testPublisher: Air Combat Command | Note: Supports the F-15E Strike Eagle carriage of modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 JDAMs during the maritime JDAM test. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Powder River Training Complex Ellsworth Air Force Base, South DakotaPublisher: Ellsworth Air Force Base | Note: Supports the F-15E Strike Eagle carriage of two 1,000-pound GBU-32 JDAMs in the training document's loadout guidance. | Accessed: 2026-06-28GBU-24 Paveway III Fact SheetPublisher: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct use by documenting F-15E aircraft used to deliver GBU-24 bombs in Afghanistan. | Accessed: 2026-07-01New weapon makes job of munitions specialists a 'snap'Publisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the F-15E Strike Eagle's first combat sortie with the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I. | Accessed: 2026-06-28ACC declares small diameter bomb initially operationalPublisher: Air Combat Command | Note: Supports 2003 Iraq War direct use by documenting two F-15E Strike Eagles flying the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb's first combat sortie in Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-01GBU-15 Guided Bomb Unit Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the GBU-15's designed-for and current-deployment relationship to the F-15E Strike Eagle. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Small Diameter Bomb II approved for operational usePublisher: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center | Note: Supports the F-15E Strike Eagle's operational-flight approval for the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Incirlik Receives F-15s in Support of OIRPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve direct use by documenting F-15Es used by U.S. Air Force units from Incirlik Air Base for counter-ISIL missions in Iraq and Syria. | Accessed: 2026-06-20F-15Es arrive at Incirlik Air BasePublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict-use by documenting F-15E Strike Eagles deployed to Incirlik Air Base to conduct counter-ISIL missions in Iraq and Syria. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Red Tails support Afghanistan noncombatant evacuation operationPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct use by documenting U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles as the final manned U.S. military aircraft to leave Afghan airspace during the Kabul evacuation. | Accessed: 2026-07-01F-15E incident in Libya; crew recoveredPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct use by documenting a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Defense Official Says F-15s Struck Iranian-Backed Militia Facilities in SyriaPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct use by documenting U.S. Air Force F-15E aircraft striking Iranian-backed militia facilities in eastern Syria. | Accessed: 2026-07-01ADAB enables kinetic strikes on ISIS strongholdPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict-use by documenting an F-15E Strike Eagle conducting a coalition and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service air strike during anti-ISIS clearing operations in Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-06-26AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)Publisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports JSOW integration on the F-15 family. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Navy's JSOW C Approved for Full Rate ProductionPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports JSOW-C compatibility with F-15 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Advanced F-15 Weapons InventoryPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports the Advanced F-15 external carriage matrix, including GBU-28 and other air-to-air, air-to-ground, and maritime-strike weapons. | Accessed: 2026-07-01IDF says Air Force chief carried out sortie, struck Hamas targets in Gaza this weekPublisher: The Times of Israel | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hamas War direct use by reporting an F-15I Ra'am used by the Israeli Air Force on an operational sortie that struck Hamas targets in Gaza. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Leaders Praise Troops Who Rescued Downed Airmen in IranPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict direct use by documenting an F-15E Strike Eagle fielded by the U.S. Air Force and downed in Iran while flying in support of Operation Epic Fury. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Gallantry under Fire: RAF Lakenheath Honors Decorated Airmen for Repelling Mass Iranian Drone AttackPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict direct use by documenting U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles used by U.S. crews to engage Iranian one-way attack UAVs during the April 2024 attack on Israel. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U.S. Air Force Fighters Take Off During Operation Epic FuryPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict direct use by documenting F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force for an Operation Epic Fury mission in April 2026. | Accessed: 2026-06-20F-15E Strike Eagle over AfghanistanPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image used as the primary catalog image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20F-15e Eagle 91-0306 ARPPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain image used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20AFCENT AIM-120D pylon photoPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports direct AIM-120D carriage by documenting an F-15E Strike Eagle weapons load crew attaching an AIM-120D to a pylon on July 15, 2019. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AFCENT AIM-9X pylon artPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports F-15E AIM-9X loading and pylon attachment context. | Accessed: 2026-06-28366th Fighter Wing receives new weapon for F-15EPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports F-15E AIM-9X carriage context for the new weapon introduction. | Accessed: 2026-06-28USAF Selects Lockheed Martin for $843 Million Advanced Targeting POD ContractPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod procurement context for F-15E and F-16 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Commons F-15E with Sniper podPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and relationship context for a Sniper pod mounted on an F-15E. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Royal Saudi Air Force Orders Additional GE F110 Engines for F-15S AircraftPublisher: GE Aerospace | Note: Supports F-15S background and powerplant context by documenting Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S re-engining with F110-GE-129C engines. | Accessed: 2026-07-01