The development of the F15 started out in the 1960s when the air force decided it was time that a new fighter jet was developed to replace the rapidly old components of the F4 phantom. At the time of its creation the F4 phantom was touted as one of the most versatile aircraft ever created and it was able to serve its role in a multitude of roles. Nonetheless, the air force began to see the need for a pure air combat only jet fighter to follow the line of fighters before it like the p51 mustang.
The start of the development began with the FX program. The fighter experimental program, however it wasn't long until the Russians came and demonstrated the new MiG-25 in 1967 before the air force realised what it had to compete with and the FX program was closed and replaced by the F-15 program.
Design work for the F15 began in 1969 when the company McDonnell Douglas won the contract to build fighter aircraft for the American air force. The air force wanted a fighter that was capable of air superiority in a strictly air to air combat role. The air force was not really looking for an air to ground plane any more. As such they envision the F15 being sent up in the sky as escort wings that flew to protect other valuable air assets.
When it was finally built the F15 was a big improvement over the F4 phantom aircraft. Many of its systems were much easier to maintain and service. It had a whopping number of quick access hatches that allowed entry to vital sub systems of the aircraft and the net result of all this innovation was an aircraft that could be refuelled and re armed in a mere 12 minutes, almost 50% faster than the F4.
The F15 officially made its first flight to the Edwards air force base in California on the 27th of July 1969.
Author Resource:
If you are interested in flying jet fighter simulations than you will need an equally capable flight controller. The best HOTAS system currently out there is called the thrustmaster hotas warthog It is an exactly replica of the A10 aircraft control, which itself was based off the f15. Another HOTAS package that even comes with flight pedals that you should read up on is my saitek x65f review .
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlecoop.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
