DescriptionThis is a very detailed model of the F-15C Strike Eagle, Japan Self Defence Forces Agressor version. AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles are included with the model, as is a centerline tank. The model with arms shown totals 28K polygons. Some limited rigging in Maya for canopy shocks, airbrake, and landing gear.
Textures
Color, Specular, and Bump maps are provided. The fuselage and cockpit share a single texture file, which is UV mapped and laid out for efficiency and at the same time, modifications are easy to make. The maximum (default) resolution is 4096x4096.
History
The F-15 Eagle is an American-built all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It first flew in July 1972. The F-15E Strike Eagle derivative is an all-weather strike fighter that entered service in 1989.
The F-15C/D model is being supplanted by the F-22 Raptor. The F-15E however will remain in service for years to come because of its different air-to-ground role and the low number of hours on their airframes. 18 USAF F-15Cs have been retrofitted with the AN/APG-63(v)2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and are expected to remain in service with the USAF well past 2020. The Royal Saudi Air Force has purchased several squadrons of long-range F-15S models, the Republic of Korea is purchasing upgraded F-15Ks, and Singapore is purchasing the F-15SG variant.
There is debate within the United States, concerning F-15 modernization versus retirement. This is due primarily to the cost of the F-22 Raptor, which will make it difficult if not impossible to replace the F-15 on a one-for-one basis (possibly as little as one-for-three). The F-15 might therefore be kept in a supporting role so the USAF does not face a numerical disadvantage in future conflicts. Such upgrades could include an AESA radar, Joint Helmet-Mounted Cuing System, and addition of low-observable modifications, or replacement of engines with thrust-vectoring models.
On September 26th at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington D.C. the USAF announced their plan to upgrade 178 F-15C fighters with the AN/APG-63(v)3 AESA radar. Additionally, the Air Force also plans to upgrade other F-15s with the joint helmet mounted cuing system.
