[Matt Wiser]

And the F-4's "Younger Brother", the F-15:


The F-15 Eagle in World War III


The McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle served as the USAF's primary air superiority fighter during the Third World War, Although initially hampered by the need to relocate McDonnell-Douglas' F-15 production line from St. Louis to Long Beach, CA, the company was able to support the F-15 community, continue production of the C/D models, and continue development of the F-15E. In addition, license production by Mitsubishi in Japan for both JASDF and USAF continued during the war. Both F-15C/D and F-15E versions continue to serve in the USAF, with Active, Reserve, and Air National Guard squadrons. This work examines F-15 variants that saw service during the war and afterwards.

F-15A: Initial version; 382 produced 1972-1979. APG-63 radar, Pratt and Whitney F100-100 engine.

F-15B: Two-seat conversion trainer version with full combat capabilities. Originally designated TF-15, 61 built 1972-79.

F-15C: Improved single-seat version. 950 built at St. Louis and Long Beach 1979-1990. Additional production from Japan. Some built with APG-70 radar, all now carry APG-63 (V)2 radar.

F-15D: Two-seat training version of C. 180 built 1979-1990. Additional USAF procurement from Japan.

F-15E: Two-seat multirole fighter produced 1986-present. Conformal fuel tanks, LANTIRN FLIR/targeting pods, F110-229 engines. No Japanese production during the war.

F-15G: “Wild Weasel” version of E; produced 1995-2009. LANTIRN, APR-47 (V), F110-229 engines. No FMS sales.

F-15I: F-15E version for Israeli AF.

F-15J: Japanese license-built version of F-15C.

F-15DJ: Japanese version of F-15D. Built both in St. Louis and in Japan.

F-15K: ROKAF version of F-15E.

F-15S: Royal Saudi AF version of F-15E.

F-15SG: Version of F-15E for Republic of Singapore AF.


World War III Operators:

USAF (active and ANG); AFRES service postwar. Combat in East Asia, Cuban Intervention, Baja War, air defense sorties during fall of Rump USSR.

Israeli AF: IDF/AF operated A/B and C/D models during “Armed Neutrality period.” Frequent strikes into Lebanon during this period, and encounters with Syrian AF MiGs. F-15I delivered postwar.

Royal Saudi AF: RSAF C/D versions flew air sovereignty missions during the war. F-15S delivered in 1990s, with several attrition replacement C models. Upgrade to SA version ongoing by McAir.

Republic of Korea Air Force: F-15K selected as replacement for F-4D. Combat service in “War of Korean Unification” after fall of Rump USSR. Follow-on order for 30 additional aircraft not canceled to most observers' surprise. 65 aircraft ordered, 45 in service.

Republic of Singapore AF: F-15SG delivered as replacement for A-4SU Skyhawk. Deliveries continuing. Singapore AF operates joint training detachment (425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron) at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho under the USAF's 366th Tactical Fighter Wing