The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) and manufactured by Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The F-15E was designed to provide a long-range strike capability in support of ground forces, as well as air-to-air combat capability.

The F-15E was first developed in the early 1980s in response to the need for an aircraft capable of both air-to-air and ground attack missions. The F-15E was developed from the F-15 Eagle, which had been in service since 1976. The F-15E featured improved avionics and two additional hardpoints, allowing for a greater weapons payload. The F-15E also featured an improved engine and increased fuel capacity.

The first F-15E was delivered to the US Air Force in 1988, and it entered service in 1989. The F-15E has become a mainstay of the US Air Force and has been exported to numerous countries, including Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. The F-15E is currently one of the most common fighter aircraft in the world, with an estimated 1,000+ aircraft in service.

The F-15E has seen extensive service in both conventional and counter-insurgency operations. In the US, the F-15E has served in the Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the War in Afghanistan. The F-15E has also seen service in the Balkans and the Middle East.

Despite its widespread use and its high degree of success, the F-15E has faced some issues with safety over time. In June of 1995, two F-15Es collided in midair during a training exercise, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. In August of 2008, an F-15E crashed in Afghanistan due to what was later determined to be an equipment malfunction. In December of 2020, an F-15E crashed in the United Arab Emirates due to a malfunction in the aircraft’s control system.

Despite these issues, the F-15E has proven itself to be a reliable and effective aircraft, and it continues to serve with distinction in the US Air Force and with many other air forces around the world. The F-15E has become a symbol of American airpower and its role in protecting freedom around the world.