Twelve prototypes were built and used for trials by the F-15 Joint Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base using McDonnell Douglas and United States Air Force personnel. Most prototypes were later used by NASA for trials and experiments. F-15A-1, AF Serial No. 71-0280 Was the first F-15 to fly on 11 July 1972 from Edwards Air Force Base, it was used as a trial aircraft for exploring the flight envelope, general handling and testing the carriage of external stores. F-15A-1, AF Ser. No. 71-0281 The second prototype first flew on 26 September 1972 and was used to test the F100 engine. F-15A-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0282 First flew on 4 November 1972 and was used to test the APG-63 radar and avionics. F-15A-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0283 First flew on 13 January 1973 and was used as a structural test aircraft, it was the first aircraft to have the smaller wingtips to clear a severe buffet problem found on earlier aircraft. F-15A-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0284 First flew on 7 March 1973 it was used for armament development and was the first aircraft fitted with an internal cannon. F-15A-3, AF Ser. No. 71-0285 First flew on 23 May 1973 and was used to test the missile fire control system and other avionics. F-15A-3, AF Ser. No. 71-0286 First flew on 14 June 1973 and was used for armament trials and testing external fuel stores. F-15A-4, AF Ser. No. 71-0287 First flew on 25 August 1973 and was used for spin recovery, angle of attack and fuel system testing, it was fitted with an anti-spin recovery parachute. The aircraft was loaned to NASA from 1976 for engine development trials. F-15A-4, AF Ser. No. 71-0288 First flew on 20 October 1973 and was used to test integrated aircraft and engine performance, it was later used by McDonnell Douglas as a test aircraft in the 1990s. F-15A-4, AF Ser. No. 71-0289 First flew on 30 January 1974 and was used for trials on the radar, avionics and electronic warfare systems. F-15B-1, AF Ser. No. 71-0290 The first two-seat prototype originally designated the TF-15A, it first flew on 7 July 1973. F-15B-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0291 First flew on 18 October 1973 as a TF-15A and used as a test and demonstration aircraft. In 1976 it made an overseas sales tour painted in markings to celebrate the bicentenary of the United States. Also used as the development aircraft for the F-15E as well as the first F-15 to use Conformal Fuel Tanks.
Twelve prototypes were built and used for trials by the F-15 Joint Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base using McDonnell Douglas and United States Air Force personnel. Most prototypes were later used by NASA for trials and experiments. F-15A-1, AF Serial No. 71-0280 Was the first F-15 to fly on 11 July 1972 from Edwards Air Force Base, it was used as a trial aircraft for exploring the flight envelope, general handling and testing the carriage of external stores. F-15A-1, AF Ser. No. 71-0281 The second prototype first fle.w on 26 Sept.ember 1972 and was used to test the F100 engine. F-15A-2 AF Ser. No. 71-0282 First flew on 4 November 1972 and was used to test the APG-63 radar and avionics. F-15A-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0283 First flew on 13 January 1973 and was used as a structural test aircraft, it was the first aircraft to have the smaller wingtips to clear a severe buffet problem found on earlier aircraft. F-15A-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0284 First flew on 7 March 1973 it was used for armament development and was the first aircraft fitted with an internal cannon. F-15A-3, AF Ser. No 71-0285 First flew on 23 May 1973 and was used to test the missile fire control system and other avionics. F-15A-3, AF Ser. No. 71-0286 First flew on 14 June 1973 and was used for armament trials and testing external fuel stores. F-15A-4, AF Ser. No. 71-0287 First flew on 25 August 1973 and was used for spin recovery, angle of attack and fuel system testing, it was fitted with an anti-spin recovery parachute. The aircraft was loaned to NASA from 1976 for engine development trials. F-15A-4, AF Ser. No. 71-0288 First flew on 20 October 1973 and was used to test integrated aircraft and engine performance, it was later used by McDonnell Douglas as a test aircraft in the 1990s. F-15A-4, AF Ser. No. 71-0289 First flew on 30 January 1974 and was used for trials on the radar, avionics and electronic warfare systems. F-15B-1, AF Ser. No. 71-0290 The first two-seat prototype originally designated the TF-15A, it first flew on 7 July 1973. F-15B-2, AF Ser. No. 71-0291 First flew on 18 October 197,3 as a TF-15A and used as a test and demonstration aircraft. In 1976 it made an overseas sales tour painted in markings to celebrate the bicentenary of the United States. Also used as the development aircraft for the F-15E as well as the first F-15 to use Conformal Fuel Tanks