Boeing F-15QA Ababil

The McDonnell Douglas F-15A (later C) Eagle is a large single seat twin-engine air superiority fighter that was developed during the 1970’s to replace the F-4 Phantom in the USAF in response to the advent of the MiG-25. Since entering service, the F-15 has dominated air combat in the conflicts it has fought in and is credited with 104 air to air kills yet not a single F-15 has been lost. The Eagle was also developed into a potent multi-role strike aircraft for the USAF known as the F-15E Strike Eagle. This version has since formed the basis for a variety of bespoke export models for allied nations. Boeing’s most recent development is the F-15EX Eagle II which has been acquired by the USAF to replace many of its aging F-15C Eagles and to supplement the F-22 and F-35 fleets.

The F-15QA Ababil was originally ordered by the Qatari Emiri Air Force during 2017 and 34 aircraft will be built in total. The F-15QA represents one of the most advanced F-15 variants ever made incorporating more powerful engines, a digital fly by wire system, an advanced radar and additional weapons pylons. The advent of the fly by wire system has increased the aircrafts agility and allows aerobatic manoeuvres previously unavailable to the F-15, including the tail slide. The F-15QA has also formed the basis of the newest F-15s to be ordered by the USAF - the F-15EX Eagle II.

We are very pleased to announce that Boeing will be providing the F-15QA to take part in the flying display at RIAT 2024. The flying display will include a pair of aircraft in Qatari Emiri Air Force colours and each aircraft will perform a solo display on different days of the show. The first aircraft will be configured ‘clean’ to show off the maximum performance of the aircraft, the second will be configured in a combat configuration to demonstrate how little the aircrafts performance is affected when carrying weapons. Both displays will be flown by Boeing test pilots.

Photo Credit: Peter Reoch