F-15 Eagle

History

In the aftermath of the failure of Operation Palaiolagos in 1978, @The United States of America (USA)'s Department of Defence began their research and analysis of the combat data obtained during that period of time, including the famous "Volk Data" obtained by the Soviet Army's 43rd Division, in order to set the foundation for the development of a TSF that could replace the @F-4 Phantom on the battlefield. The results of this period of research resulted in the decision to drastically shift the design traits of TSFs from heavily-armored models, to high-mobility ones. This change had been brought about by the fact that the data analysis showed that of all TSFs involved in breaking into the Minsk Hive, 63% of those had been lost to laser fire. Increasing the volume of armor on a TSF was not an option, as the amount of armor materials that would be used to protect a TSF against the Laser-class would severely hamper their mobility, making them highly vulnerable to Destroyer-class, Grappler-class, and Tank-clas BETA.

At the end of the data analysis, the US Department of Defence came to the conclusion that if the lag time in the firing patterns of the Laser-class could be exploited, it would then become possible to dodge their attacks. The TSF-X program thus began, with the key requirements of the program being the development of a TSF that prioritized maneuverability and mobility over focusing on defensive attributes. The TSF-X was expanded to include all of the major military manufacturers in the USA; eventually, Mcdaell Doglam won the selection, and their design, the @F-15 Eagle, was selected as the next-generation TSF to replace the F-4.

The F-15 Eagle's high mobility and maneuverability compared to other TSFs of its time was due to weight reduction measures implemented for its mainframe and jump units, as well as the development of its avionics and on-board computers, which allowed the F-15 to be designed from the onset to be inherently unstable. The computers kept the TSF balanced; this concept, known as Operation by Wire, was integral to the F-15's success, and would later become one of the defining trait of 2nd generation TSF capabilities.

Other functions include the F-15's weapon bays (which function both as a storage pod for spare ammunition magazines or as Blade Sheaths for their CIWS-1As) are located in the knee armor block. To deploy its knives, the compartment doors protrude out, and the knife is pushed upwards to within grasp with a simple system. While not as efficient as a sub-arm system, its simple structure and low number of components has been praised for its reliability and ease of maintainability.

The F-15 can carry up to two @Close Combat Daggers in each storage pod at any one time. For ammunition, it can carry either two 36mm magazines, or four 120mm magazines, in each of its storage pods.

The initial production model that entered service in 1984, the F-15A Eagle, was noted for its lowered operating time, due to its fuel cells, and shortage of propellant for its Jump Unit engines. This was due to the prioritization of achieving 2nd generation operating capabilities and unit production rather than waiting for the right technology to be implemented. These issues were solved with the implementation of new fuel cells and Jump Unit engines on the F-15C, which brought the F-15 series up to its full potential as it was originally designed to be. This key attribute of the F-15, design redundancy, allowed improvements to be easily applied to the TSF, and would contribute to the F-15's continued service life across the globe.

The two-seater configuration of the F-15A is known as the F-15B.

Deployment

The popularity and widespread usage of the TSF was such that it would become the second-most prolific TSF ever designed, only surpassed by its predecessor, the @F-4 Phantom. The F-15 series would also be exported to other organizations and nations, such as the @Middle Eastern Coalition, and the @Empire of Japan; some of these exports resulted in the development of localized F-15 variants. @The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) officials would later acquire the wreckage of F-15s from the frontlines for study, resulting in the development of the @MiG-25 Spirt-Voz.

Variants

F-15C/D Eagle

The most common F-15 variant, the F-15C was an upgrade centered on improving the F-15A's operational parameters. Improvements included increased operational time, new models of fuel cells, and new Jump Unit engines, bringing the F-15 Eagle to its full potential with regards to the extension of its operational time. Its radar functions have also been expanded upon and improved.

The F-15C is normally a single-seater TSF; in its two-seater configuration, it is known as the F-15D.

Due to a combination of high export rates and licensed production, UN F-15Cs participating in various combat operations in nations around the world are a common sight. In addition, its frame has provided valuable data for future units, such as the Japanese F-15J/@Type-89 Kagerou and the vastly improved F-15 ACTV Active Eagle. The F-15C Eagle remains in use by the @United Nations' 6th Orbital Divers Corps even as late as 2001.

F-15J/@Type-89 Kagerou

Due to the difficulty of developing a native 3rd generation TSF design, the @Empire of Japan had decided to introduce the F-15 for research into advanced development technology. 12 TSFs were initially procured, but when the Imperial Ministry of Defence realized the technology gulf that was present, a decision was made to postpone the implementation of a 3rd generation TSF and introduce the F-15 as a temporary combat unit, with modifications typical of Japanese units applied to the new variant.

The F-15J, developed by Mcdaell Doglam and manufactured by Mitsuhishi Heavy Industries, was a modification of the F-15C. Changes include improving the strength and durability of its joints and frame by altering their material properties, the usage of a Japanese-developed OS that could accommodate for close-combat, and the switching of some internal parts for Japanese-designed components. The tensile strength of its carbonic actuators has been improved, and its equipment list expanded to include the Japanese Type-87 @Assault Cannon and @Type-74 PB Blade, as well as system adaptations to allow the F-15J to use the melee variant of the Type-74 @Mount Pylons.

Aiming to bridge the technology gap in their forces, the Imperial Ministry of Defence placed an urgent order for an additional 188 units. The 12 test machines that had been used for test purposes were also converted into F-15Js upon the completion of their research, and deployed to active combat units.

Full production began in 1989. By 1992, procurement rates of the TSF were reduced, and production of new F-15Js ceased in 1999 to make way for the full integration of the @Type-94 Shiranui as the Imperial Army's next-generation TSF.

F-15E Strike Eagle

In 1991, with @F-22A Raptor procurement running into difficulties, the United States began the DRTSF (Dual-Role Tactical Surface Fighter) Program to modernize and improve existing TSF until the next mainline fighter could be deployed. The McDaell Doglam-proposed F-15E and the General Dynomics-proposed F-16XL were both submitted for the plan. The F-15E was eventually adopted due to several factors; apart from sustainability and mission up-time, its relative lack of external design changes also resulted in lowered research and production costs.

First deployed in 1995, the Strike Eagle is a heavily refurbished F-15 Eagle with increased armament capabilities, improved avionics and composite armor, as well as the exchange of internal components for modernized versions. This variant, highly likely to be the world's first 2.5th generation TSF, has inherited the title of "the strongest 2nd generation machine" from its parent, and has kept the title up till today. In addition, nations to which the F-15E had been exported to have enjoyed high serviceability and reduced operational costs due to shared requirements in components.

Although its appearance is nearly identical to the F-15C, the Strike Eagle's performance is vastly improved thanks to a complete overhaul of its internal components; this enables it new options in combat, one of which is to purge its knee-mounted weapons container once empty, so as to reduce weight. Against combat with other TSFs, it is worth noting that the F-15E is capable of taking on the @Type-94 Shiranui in direct combat despite their generation difference; a solid testament to its improved combat capabilities.

F-15 ACTV Active Eagle

Part of Boening's Pheonix Initiative, the F-15 ACTV is a proof-of-concept unit based on the aging F-15 frame, using avionics, internal parts, and external hardware upgrades to boost its overall performance, and even provide (very) limited stealth.

The most radical changes to its frame are two forearm-mounted sensor pods that extend its detection and striking range, and a pair of thrusters on its back where its @Mount Pylons used to be; this reduces the F-15 ACTV's carrying capacity and operation time, but gives it greater speed and acceleration of up to 8G. Reworked jump units with improved technology from the F-22A and equipped with fuel tanks for extended range, as well as shoulder-mounted thrusters, improve its overall maneuverability. The F-15ACTV's upgrades are intended to mould it into an offensive role capable of matching 3rd generation TSFs, where its superior range, speed, and mobility allows the Active Eagle to quickly and efficiently annihilate any BETA that penetrate defensive lines, leaving allies to rebuild defences in the area.

Two units were produced, and were assigned to Argos Test Flight as part of testing and evaluation procedures under Project PROMINENCE, and were used in a series of combat exercises at @Yukon Base.