Aircraft & UAVs

F-15S strike aircraft

Also known as
  • F-15S
  • F-15S Strike Eagle
  • Saudi F-15S
  • RSAF F-15S
  • F-15SA

The F-15S is Saudi Arabia's export strike version of the F-15E Strike Eagle, built for two-crew, long-range air-to-ground attack while retaining fighter performance. In the 2014 Yemen Civil War record, it represents the Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15 strike component in the Saudi-led coalition air campaign, with open reporting documenting an F-15S operating over Yemen and being targeted by Houthi-aligned air defenses.

F-15S strike aircraft, Two-seat multirole strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S Eagle Image

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Two-seat multirole strike aircraft
Service note
Saudi F-15E-derived strike variant supplied in the 1990s and sustained through later F-15S/F-15SA programs
Designer
McDonnell Douglas
Designed
F-15E-derived export variant supplied to Saudi Arabia in the 1990s
Unit cost
Not publicly isolated for the F-15S variant
Produced
1990s Saudi export deliveries; later upgrade and sustainment programs continued
Number built
Saudi F-15S fleet documented in U.S. and manufacturer sources through 70-aircraft upgrade and re-engining programs
Developed from
F-15E Strike Eagle

Specifications

Crew
2: pilot and weapon systems officer
Primary role
Air-to-ground attack and multirole strike
Power plant
Two afterburning turbofan engines; Saudi F-15S aircraft were re-engined with GE F110-GE-129C engines under later programs
F-15SA engines
GE F110-GE-129E engines powered the new-build F-15SA aircraft ordered for the RSAF
Maximum takeoff weight
About 81,000 lb for the F-15E baseline
Maximum speed
About Mach 2.5 plus for the F-15E baseline
Ferry range
About 2,400 miles with conformal fuel tanks and three external tanks for the F-15E baseline
Armament
Internal 20 mm gun plus air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons depending on configuration and mission
F-15SA weapon stations
Two additional weapon stations were part of the F-15SA payload-capacity increase described by the U.S. Air Force
F-15SA upgrade features
Official U.S. Air Force reporting identifies digital electronic warfare, fly-by-wire flight controls, infrared search and track, AESA radar, advanced displays, and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems on the F-15SA.
Variants

The Saudi F-15S is an F-15E-derived export strike aircraft; later Saudi programs paired new-build F-15SA aircraft with conversion of existing F-15S airframes toward the SA configuration.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
F-15SSaudi F-15E-derived strike variant

The F-15S represents the Royal Saudi Air Force's two-seat strike version that later formed the baseline for Saudi upgrade work.

Sources: F-15E Strike Eagle Fact Sheet, Saudis Purchase F-15s, Upgrade Fleet

F-15SAAdvanced Saudi variant and upgrade target

The 2011 foreign military sales agreement covered 84 new F-15SA aircraft and the upgrade of 70 F-15S aircraft to the SA configuration; U.S. Air Force reporting identifies the F-15SA's fly-by-wire controls, AESA radar, IRST, digital electronic warfare suite, advanced cockpit displays, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, and extra weapon stations.

Sources: Saudis Purchase F-15s, Upgrade Fleet, Fly-By-Wire F-15SA Makes First Flight, AFLCMC Final F-15SA Delivery

F-15S-to-F-15SA conversionConverted existing RSAF F-15S airframes

DCMA reported the first in-country F-15S-to-SA conversion from an existing RSAF F-15S completing its functional check flight in February 2020, with a goal of 66 conversions.

Sources: DCMA Saudi F-15S to SA Conversion

Carried Munitions

Saudi F-15S and F-15SA modernization sources document laser-guided bombs, JDAM-guided bombs, AMRAAM missiles, and Sidewinder missiles in the aircraft family's carriage context.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
GBU-10 Paveway II, 2,000-pound laser-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-10 Paveway IILaser-guided bomb

TWZ lists the GBU-10/B Paveway among precision-guided munitions the Saudi F-15S and F-15SA can carry in the arms-deal package context.

Sources: TWZ Saudi Arms Deal

Mk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit, 500-pound guided-bomb configuration, MunitionsMk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kitLaser-guided bomb

The War Zone says Saudi F-15S and F-15SA aircraft can carry GBU-12/B Paveway bombs in the arms-deal package context.

Sources: TWZ Saudi Arms Deal

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, GPS/INS guidance tail kit for free-fall bombs, MunitionsJoint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kitGPS-guided bomb

The War Zone says Saudi F-15S and F-15SA aircraft can carry GBU-31/B and GBU-38/B JDAMs in the arms-deal package context.

Sources: TWZ Saudi Arms Deal

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 MunitionGPS-guided bomb

TWZ lists the GBU-31/B JDAM among precision-guided munitions the Saudi F-15S and F-15SA can carry in the arms-deal package context.

Sources: TWZ Saudi Arms Deal

GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition, 500-pound GPS/INS-guided bomb, MunitionsGBU-38 Joint Direct Attack MunitionGPS-guided bomb

TWZ lists the GBU-38/B JDAM among precision-guided munitions the Saudi F-15S and F-15SA can carry in the arms-deal package context.

Sources: TWZ Saudi Arms Deal

AIM-120C/D AMRAAM air-to-air missile, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-120C/D AMRAAM air-to-air missileBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile

TWZ says the AIM-120C-7/C-8 sale would arm the RSAF's F-15S and F-15SA fighter fleet and describes Saudi use of AIM-120 missiles against Houthi drones.

Sources: TWZ Saudi AMRAAM use

AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-9X Sidewinder missileShort-range air-to-air missile

The Aviationist describes the F-15SA weapons fit as including AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles among its air-to-air options.

Sources: Aviationist First Saudi F-15SA

Timeline

F-15S strike aircraft Key Events

  1. GE engine re-engining order

    GE announced Saudi orders for F110-GE-129C engines to re-engine 70 F-15S aircraft across 2007 and 2008 selections.

  2. F-15SA sale and F-15S upgrade plan

    U.S. Air Force reporting said Saudi Arabia signed a foreign military sales agreement for 84 F-15SA fighters and upgrades for 70 existing F-15S aircraft.

  3. F-15SA first flight

    The first F-15SA flew at Boeing's St. Louis facilities, with the U.S. Air Force describing the aircraft as the centerpiece of the Saudi F-15 fleet modernization program.

  4. Saudi-led Yemen air campaign begins

    Aviation Week reported RSAF F-15S Strike Eagles among Saudi air assets in Operation Decisive Storm and described an F-15S crash into the Gulf of Aden during the opening campaign period.

  5. F-15S targeted over Yemen

    Houthi-aligned media released infrared footage that TWZ assessed as showing an RSAF F-15S being struck or damaged over Yemen.

  6. F-15S hit over Saada

    Specialist aviation reporting described an RSAF F-15S hit by a Houthi surface-to-air missile over Saada and said the aircraft returned safely.

  7. First in-country conversion flight

    DCMA reported the first in-country converted F-15SA, produced from an existing RSAF F-15S, completed its final functional check flight.

  8. Final F-15SA delivery reported

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center reported final delivery of new F-15SA aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force.

  9. F-15 sustainment case approved

    DSCA announced a proposed sustainment and training support package for the Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15 fleet.

Media

F-15S strike aircraft Images

F-15S strike aircraft, Two-seat multirole strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S Eagle Image
F-15S strike aircraft, Two-seat multirole strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S Eagle Image
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Sources

Houthi Rebels Release FLIR Video Showing Shoot Down of Saudi F-15S Over YemenPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct use by reporting a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S used by Saudi-led coalition forces over Yemen and targeted by Houthi-aligned forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Operation Decisive Storm Air Power Over YemenPublisher: Aviation Week | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct use by reporting RSAF F-15S Strike Eagles among Saudi air assets in Operation Decisive Storm and describing an F-15S crash into the Gulf of Aden during the opening campaign period. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Aviationist First Saudi F-15SAPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports F-15SA background and 2014 Yemen Civil War direct use by stating that Saudi F-15S aircraft took part in Yemen airstrikes from the start of Operation Decisive Storm and describing the opening-campaign Gulf of Aden crash/rescue. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Yemen's Houthis Claim Saudi F-15 Kill with SAM Over Capital City of SanaaPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct use by describing a Saudi F-15 used over Sanaa and identifying the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S as a ground-attack/multirole aircraft in the Saudi-led air war context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Video Shows Houthis SAM Scoring a Hit on RSAF F-15SPublisher: The Aviation Geek Club | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct use by reporting a March 2018 Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S surface-to-air missile hit over Saada and return to base. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F-15E Strike Eagle Fact SheetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports F-15E baseline specifications, role, contractor, crew, speed, range, maximum takeoff weight, and armament context for the F-15S derivative. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Fly-By-Wire F-15SA Makes First FlightPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports F-15SA background and specifications including first flight, Boeing prime-contractor context, digital electronic warfare, fly-by-wire controls, IRST, AESA radar, advanced cockpit displays, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, and two additional weapon stations. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Royal Saudi Air Force Orders Additional GE F110 Engines for F-15S AircraftPublisher: GE Aerospace | Note: Supports F-15S background and powerplant context by documenting RSAF F-15S re-engining with F110-GE-129C engines. | Accessed: 2026-07-04RSAF Largest International F110 OperatorPublisher: GE Aerospace | Note: Supports F-15SA engine context by documenting F110-GE-129E engines for 84 new F-15SA aircraft and earlier F110-powered re-engining of F-15S aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Saudis Purchase F-15s, Upgrade FleetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports background on Saudi plans to purchase 84 F-15SA aircraft and upgrade 70 existing F-15S aircraft to the SA configuration. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AFLCMC Final F-15SA DeliveryPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports F-15SA background, final delivery timing, and listed upgrade features such as AESA radar, fly-by-wire controls, infrared search and track, and advanced cockpit equipment. | Accessed: 2026-07-04DCMA Saudi F-15S to SA ConversionPublisher: Defense Contract Management Agency | Note: Supports F-15S-to-F-15SA conversion background by reporting the first in-country converted F-15SA functional check flight from an existing RSAF F-15S and the conversion program goal. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - F-15 SustainmentPublisher: Defense Security Cooperation Agency | Note: Supports current Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fleet sustainment background. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S Eagle ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the public-domain primary image of a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S Eagle. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles over the Red SeaPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain U.S. Air Force photo showing Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles over the Red Sea. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s Join U.S. Air Force Presence PatrolPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain U.S. Air Force photo showing Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s in regional formation flight. | Accessed: 2026-07-04TWZ Saudi Arms DealPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports F-15S and F-15SA carriage context for GBU-10/B and GBU-12/B Paveway bombs and GBU-31/B and GBU-38/B JDAMs in the Saudi arms-deal package context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04TWZ Saudi AMRAAM usePublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports AMRAAM relationship context by placing the F-15S among Royal Saudi Air Force fighters associated with the AIM-120 sale and reporting Saudi AIM-120 use against Houthi drones. | Accessed: 2026-07-04