El McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle es un caza de reacción bimotor de superioridad aérea “todo tiempo”, considerado uno de los mejores aviones de combate de la era moderna. El versátil Eagle ha sido el pilar de las defensas aéreas estadounidenses durante más de tres décadas.
El radar de impulsos doppler AN/APG-63(V) del avión le permite detectar, identificar y atacar a aviones enemigos a larga distancia con misiles AIM-120 AMRAAM o AIM-7 Sparrow. Para los combates cerrados, el Eagle lleva AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM y un cañón interno M61 Vulcan Gatling de 20 mm alojado en la raíz del ala de estribor.
El F-15C ha conseguido más de 100 victorias aire-aire al servicio de Israel, Arabia Saudí y EE.UU. sin sufrir ninguna baja confirmada, un récord de combate que habla por sí mismo.
La carga alar baja, la elevada relación empuje-peso y los timones de gran tamaño permiten al avión realizar giros cerrados sin perder demasiada energía, lo que lo convierte en un poderoso adversario en manos de un piloto experto. Los dos motores Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 permiten al F-15C ascender a 9.100 m (40.000 pies) en menos de un minuto.
El F-15C entró en servicio por primera vez en 1976 y ha sido ampliamente exportado, con 483 aviones construidos entre 1979 y 1985. Rey de los cielos durante casi cuarenta años, el DCS F-15C Eagle es uno de los aviones más emocionantes y gratificantes de pilotar en DCS.
The McDonnell Douglas / Boeing F-15C Eagle is a highly maneuverable fourth-generation twin-engine all-weather tactical fighter. It has been the air superiority fighter mainstay of U.S. and NATO forces since the 1970s and will remain as such well into the 21st century.
Air superiority is achieved through high maneuverability at a wide range of airspeeds and altitudes, as well as advanced weapons and avionics.
The weapons and targeting system the F-15C can detect, track, and engage enemy aircraft autonomously. The F-15C can also be directed by ground and airborne controllers at beyond visual range, medium distances, and in close-quarters maneuvering dogfights, over friendly or enemy territory.
Weapons and control systems are configured in a way that enables a single pilot to effectively fight multiple enemy aircraft. The combination of the powerful radar and long range weapons often give the Eagle the first shot / first kill advantage.
The development program for the F-15C was based on an urgent need for a maneuverable latest-generation fighter, and the design was based new technologies as well as time-honored tradition of such famous aircraft as the P-51 Mustang and the F-86 Sabre.
Crew: 1 pilot
Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)
Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.63 m)
Wing area: 608 ft2 (56.5 m2)
Leading edge sweep angle: 45°
Empty weight: 28,000 lb (12,700 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 68,000 lb (30,845 kg)
Fuel weight in drop tanks: 5370 kg (3x1790 kg)
Fuel capacity: 13,455 lb (6,100 kg) internal
Combat radius: 1,061 nm (1,967 km) for interdiction mission
Ferry range: 3,000 nm (5,550 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 65,000 ft (20,000 m)
Rate of climb: >50,000 ft/min (254 m/s)
Take-Off Distance: 274 m
Landing Distance: 1067 m
Wing loading: 73.1 lb/ft2 (358 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 1.14
Maximum design G-load: 9G
Lift-to-drag ratio: ~10
Max/Min G-Force: +9,0/-3,0
Guns: 1 x 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, 940 rounds
4 x AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile
4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile
8 x AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile
