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The U.S. Air Force deploys F-15E Strike Eagles in the epic Operation Fury against Iran.
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These fighters are designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations in all weather, day or night.
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Central Command said Kuwait mistakenly shot down three F-15E Strike Eagles in a “friendly fire” incident.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a fighter aircraft designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and is often the workhorse of the skies.
When three F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury, it brought renewed attention to one of the Air Force’s fastest and most versatile aircraft.
Here’s a closer look at the F-15E Strike Eagle, the advanced aircraft used by the United States to destroy Iranian missile arsenals and drone bases from the skies over Iran.
The F-15E Strike Eagle has been in service with the U.S. Air Force for nearly 40 years.
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, takes off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on February 20, 2026. The 40th Flight Test Squadron conducts development flight testing of fighter aircraft, focusing on weapons systems, software upgrades and avionics.U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Jasmine Thomas
According to the U.S. Air Force, the first F-15A model first flew in 1972 and the first F-15E was produced in 1988.
It is the United States Air Force’s fastest manned aircraft.
On October 20, 2025, an F-15E Strike Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force flew during the “Sea Sky 25” exercise at Gando Air Force Base in Gran Canaria, Spain. This annual exercise is designed to increase the operational proficiency of pilots, aircrews and air defense personnel through realistic, fast-paced air-to-air missions, supporting the continued strengthening of partnerships, alliances and readiness.U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Davis
Air-to-air and air-to-ground attack aircraft can fly at speeds up to 1,875 miles per hour, or 2.5 times the speed of sound.
The F-15E Strike Eagle’s high thrust-to-weight ratio enables it to accelerate during vertical climb.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle makes a left turn in the air during Predator Shield 26.1 exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of ​​responsibility, Nov. 11, 2025. Predator Shield 26.1 focuses on enhanced counter-drone system capabilities, fighter integration, improved command and control, and fostering closer cooperation between the United States and Kuwait to ensure greater security and stability in the region.U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taryn Rust
The high thrust-to-weight ratio also enables the F-15E Strike Eagle to execute tight turns without sacrificing speed. It has two Pratt & Whitney F100 engines, each producing more than 23,000 pounds of thrust.
Another notable feature is the aircraft’s heads-up display, which projects flight and tactical information directly onto the windshield.
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft operated by the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 204th Airlift Squadron is captured on the heads-up display of another C-17 during a training sortie off the coast of Hawaii on Dec. 1, 2025. The 204th Airlift Squadron operates under the Total Force Plan, with aircraft flown and maintained by a combination of Hawaii Air National Guard 154th Wing and active-duty pilots. Pilot of the 15th Wing.U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier
Pilots can track and engage targets, check weapon status and view other tactical and flight information without taking their eyes off the windshield.
The fighter also includes a low-altitude navigation and night-time infrared targeting (LANTIRN) system.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron takes off from RAF Lakenheath, England, on June 27, 2023. F-15 training sorties are conducted by members of the 48th Fighter Wing to ensure they remain ready and effective in providing strategic power while executing their missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Gibson)U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Gibson
The LANTIRN system allows the aircraft to fly in any weather conditions and attack ground targets at low altitudes. The system consists of two pods installed under the aircraft, a navigation pod and a targeting pod.
The F-15E Strike Eagle can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff. 389th Fighter Generation Squadron loadout crewman Sean Policapio and Senior Airman Angelo Val load an AIM-120 missile onto an F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Oct. 24, 2025. Weapons loaders work together to ensure ammunition is safely loaded and mission-ready for F-15E Strike Eagle operations.Airman 1st Class Donovan Watson/366th Fighter Wing
Its armament includes an internal 20mm cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM (short for radar-guided advanced medium-range air-to-air missile).
The F-15 also often carries ground attack weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a kit that converts unguided munitions into “smart” bombs with tail fins and GPS guidance.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is flown by a pilot and a weapons systems officer.
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing refuels an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing during an aerial refueling mission over the North Sea on February 2, 2026. Exercise Point Blank is a recurring exercise designed to improve the tactical proficiency of the US, UK Ministry of Defence, and other NATO forces.U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Aidan MartÃnez Rosiere
The weapons systems officer sits directly behind the pilot and closely manages the aircraft’s sensors and weapons.
The two variants of the F-15 are single-seat aircraft: the F-15A and the F-15C.
The aircraft can fly 2,400 miles without refueling and can refuel in flight.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle receives mid-air refueling from a 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during the “Sea Skies” exercise over the Atlantic Ocean on October 15, 2025. The Stratotanker provides aerial refueling capabilities, enhancing the Air Force’s ability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach.U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cody JA Mott
The F-15E Strike Eagle has a fuel capacity of 35,550 pounds.
The fighters can be refueled in flight via the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, which Boeing developed in the 1950s from its “Dash 80” prototype.
The KC-135 is also deployed to Israel as Epic Fury Action. A plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, killing six U.S. service members. U.S. Central Command said the circumstances of the crash were under investigation but “were not caused by enemy or friendly fire.”
According to the U.S. Air Force, the production cost of each F-15E in 1998 was $31.1 million. After accounting for inflation, this figure is approximately $62.3 million.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron rests on the flight line during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 at Travis Air Force Base, California, Aug. 3, 2024. During Bamboo Eagle, Air Mobility Command assets supported warfighters in conducting all-domain combat power generation, as well as distributed command and control, flexible logistics and tactical aerial refueling from dispersed base locations across the Western United States.U.S. Air Force Photo: Kenneth Abbate
Newer F-15 models cost about $100 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The latest version of the aircraft is the F-15EX Eagle II, which features more advanced controls and upgraded engines.
On March 1, Kuwait air defense forces mistakenly shot down three U.S. F-15Es during Operation Epic Fury, which U.S. Central Command described as a “friendly fire incident.”
On January 18, 2026, a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft skidded off the runway after landing at a base in the Middle East. The United States maintains a highly agile warfighting force that leverages state-of-the-art capabilities to support long-term security and stability in the region.U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jared Brewer
All six crew members ejected safely. The incident is under investigation.
“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident and we appreciate the efforts of the Kuwait Defense Forces and their support of ongoing operations,” Central Command said.
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