Facts summary and sources
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle: speed field: Mach 2.5 (Published specification). First flight: 1972. 1972 is the original F-15 family prototype’s first flight, not the first flight of every later variant.
This is a secondary compilation. A source-check date applies only to the listed claim, not to the whole page or its translation. A page update is not a source check.
Sources and check records
- U.S. Air Force: F-15 Eagle — F-15A/C are single-seat; F-15B/D/E are two-seat. The original F-15 IOC was September 1975. [Variant-specific crew and original program IOC; not a current F-15EX specification.] · Source checked for this claim: 2026-10-07
- Smithsonian: F-15C Eagle — Published maximum speed for the F-15C: Mach 2.5. [Published variant specification, not a new measured speed record.] · Source checked for this claim: 2026-10-07
- U.S. Air Force: First F-15EX acceptance — The Air Force accepted its first F-15EX on March 10, 2021 for the test program; its two-seat airframe can be operated by one pilot. [Acceptance for testing is not initial operational capability.] · Event date: 2021-03-10 · Source checked for this claim: 2026-10-07
- GAO: Weapon Systems Annual Assessment 2025 — The F-15EX achieved initial operational capability in July 2024. [Operational-readiness milestone, separate from the 2021 first test delivery.] · Source checked for this claim: 2026-10-07
- Boeing: F-15EX Eagle II — Boeing publishes Mach 2.5 for the F-15EX. [Manufacturer specification for the EX variant.] · Source checked for this claim: 2026-10-07
- Existing reference link · Source-check date not recorded
- Wikipedia reference · Source-check date not recorded
✈️ Full Specifications
| Designation | F-15C (specifications); F-15 family overview |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas / Boeing |
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| First flight | 1972 |
| First-flight context | 1972 is the original F-15 family prototype’s first flight, not the first flight of every later variant. |
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 19.44 m (63.8 ft) |
| Wingspan | 13 m (42.7 ft) |
| Height | 5.6 m (18.4 ft) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 30,844 kg (68,011 lb) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 2.5 |
| Speed evidence basis | Published specification |
| Service Ceiling | 19,812 m (65,003 ft) |
| Engine | 2 × 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofans |
| Thrust (each) | AB 105 kN |
| Production | 1,500 |
🌐 Operators
🔁 Variants
- F-15A/B — Original air superiority
- F-15C/D — Improved avionics and weapons
- F-15E Strike Eagle — Two-seat dual-role strike
- F-15EX Eagle II — Latest USAF rebuild with EPAWSS
- F-15I Ra'am / F-15J / F-15SA / F-15SG / F-15K / F-15QA — Export
⚔️ Armament
Overview
The F-15 Eagle family began flying in 1972. The performance specifications here describe the legacy F-15C; the 1972 first-flight and 1975 IOC dates refer to the original F-15 family program. These are not combined C/D/E/EX performance figures. F-15A/C have one seat, while F-15B/D/E have two. The F-15EX also has a two-seat airframe and can be operated by one pilot. For its different engines, weights and equipment, see the F-15EX Eagle II profile.
Design & Development
Designed with a thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 1:1, the F-15 can accelerate while climbing vertically. Its large wing area provides exceptional maneuverability, while twin F100 engines deliver Mach 2.5 top speed. The motto during development was ‘Not a pound for air-to-ground’—pure air superiority.
Operational History
The F-15 has served with the USAF, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and other allies. Israeli F-15s achieved the first combat kills and have an extraordinary record including downing over 50 Syrian aircraft in the Bekaa Valley in 1982 with zero losses. An Israeli F-15D even landed safely with one wing missing.
Armament & Weapons
The F-15 carries an extensive weapons suite:
- 1× M61A1 Vulcan — 20mm rotary cannon (940 rounds)
- AIM-120 AMRAAM — up to 8× beyond-visual-range missiles
- AIM-9 Sidewinder — short-range infrared missiles
- AIM-7 Sparrow — medium-range radar-guided missiles
- F-15E Strike Eagle additions:
- GBU-10/12/24 laser-guided bombs
- GBU-31/38 JDAM GPS bombs
- AGM-130 powered standoff weapon
- CBU-87/97 cluster bombs
- B61 nuclear bomb (tactical)
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the F-15 Eagle?
The published F-15C maximum is Mach 2.5. A Mach value does not have one universal mph or km/h equivalent: temperature and altitude affect the speed of sound.
What is the F-15’s combat record?
The F-15 has an unmatched record of 104 air-to-air victories with zero losses, achieved by Israeli and USAF pilots.
How many F-15s were built?
Over 1,500 F-15s have been built. Production continues with the F-15EX Eagle II.
Is the F-15 still in service?
Yes. The original F-15 reached initial operational capability in 1975. The first F-15EX was accepted for testing in March 2021; GAO records initial operational capability in July 2024. Delivery for testing and operational readiness are different milestones.