F-15
US twin-engine air superiority fighter; backbone of CENTCOM strike operations in the Iran conflict.
Last refreshed: 30 March 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is a 50-year-old fighter still central to US air power?
Latest on F-15
- What happened to the F-15s in Kuwait?
- Three US F-15s were destroyed by friendly fire when Patriot air defence systems mistakenly engaged them in Kuwaiti airspace.Source: background
- Is the F-15 still in service?
- Yes. The F-15EX Eagle II entered service in 2024 as a modernised variant. The airframe is planned to remain in use into the 2040s.Source: quick_facts
- Will F-15s fly with drone wingmen?
- The F-15EX is designated for manned-unmanned teaming with Collaborative Combat Aircraft like Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury.Source: background
- What is the difference between F-15 and F-15EX?
- The F-15EX Eagle II is the newest variant with modernised avionics, larger weapons stations, and CCA teaming capability. The original F-15 dates to 1976.Source: quick_facts
Background
The F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter that has served the US Air Force since 1976. The F-15E Strike Eagle variant adds ground attack capability, and the newest F-15EX Eagle II entered service in 2024 as a modernised platform for heavy weapons carriage. Boeing builds the F-15EX at its St Louis facility.
In the 2026 Iran conflict, F-15s have been central to CENTCOM's strike campaign. Three were destroyed in a friendly-fire incident in Kuwait when Patriot air defence systems mistakenly engaged them. The Fratricide incident highlighted identification failures in the theatre's congested airspace.
The F-15 is also designated as a future platform for manned-unmanned teaming with Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones like Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury. The F-15EX's large weapons stations make it the natural launch platform for autonomous wingmen carrying their own ordnance.