Boeing F-15SA Eagle

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 US Air Force 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 of a number of bespoke export models for a number of nations. Boeing have recently developed the F-15EX Eagle II which has been acquired by the USAF to replace many of it’s aging F-15C Eagles and to supplement the F-22 and F-35 fleets.

The Royal Saudi Air Force currently operates a mixed fleet of F-15C/D air superiority fighters and F-15S/SA Eagles which is an advanced variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle. The RSAF received its final delivery of its order for 84 F-15SA Eagles from Boeing during 2020. Compared to the Strike Eagle, among other things these aircraft carry a more advanced radar, advanced cockpit, more powerful engines plus an Infrared Search and Track System (IRST). In total, the F-15SA can carry up to 24 air to ground weapons or 12 air to air missiles.

We are very pleased to announce that the RSAF will be sending an F-15SA Eagle to this year’s Air Tattoo for static display, this is a UK airshow debut for this variant of the F-15.

Photo Credit: Nick Jennings