Title: F-15 Eagle Variants
Headings: F-15 Eagle
F-15 Eagle
Variants

Content: radar, engines, and secondary structures. A complete retrofit of all three subsystems could be done for less than $3 billion. The F-15D is a two-seat variant of the single-place F-15C. The primary purpose of the F-15D is aircrew training, with an instructor pilot occupying the rear seat while an upgrading pilot mans the front seat controls. The primary purpose of the F-15B/D is aircrew training, with an instructor pilot occupying the rear seat while an upgrading pilot mans the front seat controls. The rear seat pilot has a full set of flight controls and can fly the aircraft throughout the envelope, including takeoff and landing. Even though space is sacrificed to accomodate the second crew member, the F-15B/D retains the same warfighting capability as the F-15A/C. In keeping with the trainer concept, however, the rear seat is not equipped with controls for the combat avionics and weaponry. In fact, the rear seat is not a mandatory crew position, and F-15B/Ds are often flown with empty rear cockpits. The F-15 E Strike Eagle was built to fulfill the role of the Dual Role Fighter (DRF)—having the ability to perform precision strike missions on its own and air-to-air interdiction. On 11 December 1986, the first F-15E (two-seat) flew its maiden flight. It is very similar to the F-15D except the aircraft is optimized for air-to-ground missions.