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| F-15 Eagle (Picture from: http://www.fas.org/) |
Since they started operation in 1974, jet fighter aircraft F-15 Eagle has proven its reliability in many battleground. Achievement is making the U.S. Air Force, USAF, made jet fighter as a mainstay in the air battle. However, two decades ahead of the F-15 operations, the U.S. makes a new generation fighter jet replacement of the Eagle, the F-22 fighter jets laden cutting-edge technology.
F-22 USAF began operating in 2005. With all the advantages of operation, nicknamed the Raptor fighter jets were immediately shift the role of the F-15 as a jet fighter in the ranks of major air combat fleet, especially for air-to-air combat fighter.
An early indication of the role of reflux responded to Boeing's F-IS (which acquired F-15 maker, Mc Donnell Douglas) by updating the characteristics of the aircraft. The goal, keeping the level of reliability of the aircraft so that possible future production will be longer. The plane was nicknamed the Eagle to be upgraded so that its operating capability approaching F-22 which is a representation of FGFA (fifth generation fighter aircraft). FGFA characteristics that applied to the F-15 is a stealth character. Implementation that makes the F-15 radar difficult to detect.
Modifications to Stealth
Engineering for stealth character creation is identical to minimizing the radar marker on the plane. Aircraft parts that could potentially send radar waves back to the radar receiver is modified so that the tracker is no longer a bounced radar. Minimal radar reflection that would complicate tracking. In the calculation, a measure of how large the potential for objects to be detected is expressed as a factor RCS or radar cross section. Objects with small RCS values will be difficult to detect. Figures F-15 RCS by 25 m square, is much larger than the F-22 RCS of magnitude 0.0065 m.
Efforts to reduce the RCS of the F-15 is done by modifying the construction and use of special materials. The original vertical tail straight up changed to oblique or tilted 15 degrees so that the two upright tail is forming a "V" (canted tail). Alteration made to eliminate the intersection of perpendicular construction, because the perpendicular intersection will create a flat surface which is a good reflector for radar waves. Meanwhile, the sloping surface will deflect the direction of the reflection of radar waves to not return to the radar trackers.
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| Boeing F-15SE. (Picture from: http://www.mainpump.com/) |
Minimization of the reflected radar waves coating certain parts of the aircraft supported by a special material that can reduce the wave behind the radar. The material is called RAM (radar absorbing materials) will absorb radar waves energy to then convert it into heat and spread it out through the surface.
Internal storage of ammunition charge is another attempt to minimize potential markers send back radar waves. Ammo Bearer (radar bay) put in place which was originally the site of an extra fuel tank, which is under the wing near the root (the intersection of the wing and fuselage). Conformat Fuel Tank (CFT) under the root is replaced Conformal Weapon Bay (CWB).
Implications of replacement CFT with CWB, the availability of additional fuel (which was originally available in the CFT) abolished. However, the effect is compensated by the decrease in aircraft weight that occur because of replacement of flight control system of the old with the type of Digital Fly by Wire (DFbW). Replacement with mechanical installations DFbW eliminate some flying control system. In addition, the implementation of V tail or canted tail gives a positive aerodynamic effect, which continues to gain in fuel use. With the lighter weight, fuel consumption will be lower.*** [M. NURDIN SUHAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 27102011]
4.5 Generation
Character makes stealth fighter jet F-15SE (Silent Eagle), such as the F-15 is engineered to be invisible, has a more tactical combat capability. This fly reliably support the performance which is basically owned by the F-15 aircraft types. Moreover, supported also by the modernization of avionics and radar tracking devices (AESA type).
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| Boeing unveiled a new version of its F-15 Eagle airplane, called the F-15SE, which is aimed primarily for export. The new design includes several improvements over earlier versions of the F-15, including improved stealth capabilities and a bay designed for carrying internal weapons as well as improved radar and electronic scanners. (Picture from: http://thefutureofthings.com/) |
An update operation capability makes the F-15 aircraft approaching FGFA. Until such reborn to qualify as a fourth-generation fighter jet and a half (F-15 variants previously categorized Basic and fourth generation).
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| F-15 SE Multirole Configuration. (Picture from: http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/) |
Beginning in 2009 the development project F-IS is still in the stage of completion. Last year demonstratornya plane has started flown and presented in the arena of the Paris Airshow 2011. Only a record number of carriers buyer is not in line with the progress of its development. So far the countries of South Korea's new prospective users.
The main obstacle selling F-15 SE is the U.S. government permission. For aircraft with high combat capability as the F-15SE, the U.S. government is certainly not going to be easy to give export permission. Only a trusted ally who allowed a plane. Besides South Korea, countries that could potentially buy the F-15SE is Israel and Saudi Arabia. *** [M. NURDIN SUHAR | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 27102011]
