some say the joint strike fighter will replace the f-15 eagle but i say it wil merely be added as a new aircraft to our arsenal

the F-22 is replacing the F-15, and the F-35 is replacing the F-16 and maybe the A-10. but the F-15 and -16 and being fased out of the usaf

What about that new F-16 with two pilots and those protruding fuel tanks on top of the fuscillage?

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Everything that makes it functional makes it beautiful. I call it perfection, I call it passion, I call it human, I call it lust... I call it Su-37.

never will go through. but I suspect f-15's will still be around for another 10 to 20 years before they phase them out. for the simple fact that it will take them that long to get as many squadrons as the f-15's do. f-16's will be phased out by the JSF but however it won't happen for another 10 to20 years. It takes money and it will take alot of money to phase them out fast.

I agree with trigun.
the Eagles have a Zero losses record, that shows that the Eagles kick butt. so it will be a while before the USAF fases them out even after the F-22 comes out.

this is a one sided argument as the planes that are replacing old ones are not really pushing the old ones out of the way. at least not yet, and in a period of war. i believe that all of the original planes will be brought back, as we may need all the firepower and cannon fodder we can get.
No offense to anyone.
Se onr sverdar sitja hvass
Zeetoboy

Why replace it? The F-15 Eagle has a perfect combat record of 101 victories and zero defeats.
During the Balkan conflict, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions.
The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.
The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.
A multimission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, 'identification friend or foe' system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.
The head-up display projects on the windscreen all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides the pilot information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.
The F-15's versatile pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.
A variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. An automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the head-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the head-up display.
The Eagle can be armed with combinations of four different air-to-air weapons: AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder or AIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings, and an internal 20mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.
Low-drag, conformal fuel tanks were especially developed for the F-15C and D models. Conformal fuel tanks can be attached to the sides of the engine air intake trunks under each wing and are designed to the same load factors and airspeed limits as the basic aircraft. Each conformal fuel tank contains about 114 cubic feet of usable space. These tanks reduce the need for in-flight refueling on global missions and increase time in the combat area. All external stations for munitions remain available with the tanks in use. AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles, moreover, can be attached to the corners of the conformal fuel tanks.
The F-15E is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system.
For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution APG-70 radar and low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods.
The F-15 Eagle is one of the most capable multirole fighters in the world. The F-15 entered service in 1974 and has attained an unprecedented perfect air combat record of 100.5 victories and zero losses. F-15s were responsible for downing 33 of the 35 fixed-wing aircraft Iraq lost in air combat during Operation Desert Storm, and the F-15 was responsible for downing four Mig-29 fighters during the Balkan conflict. In Desert Storm, the F-15E strike fighter provided devastatingly effective flying at night and in bad weather to attack numerous mobile Scud missile launchers and other high-value military and ground targets. The F-15E also maintained a 95.5 percent average mission capable rate, the highest of any fighter in the war. In the Balkans, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions. The F-15E can carry payloads of up to 23,000 pounds and is the only fighter in U.S. production capable of performing the long-range, precision strike mission.
More than 1,500 F-15s have been produced for both domestic and international customers, and have accumulated more than 4.4 million flight hours. Approximately 1,150 F-15s are still in service worldwide with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, and with the air forces of Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

You know the F-15E is staying in service, none of those are being retired, just the F-15A/B/C/D's. Actually thery are keeping 178 of the fighter variants in service, which will be called the Golden Eagles, those will say in service for years to come. All of these aircraft will be upgraded with all kindas of new stuff, including 2X P&W F100-PW-220 which will be the last version of the original F100. The F-15 will also remain in service because it had been overdesigned, instead of the original 4,000 hour life expectance it shoud easliy get past 8,000 hours with major repairs and it should meet and/or excede 16,000 hours fairly easily.

I love the F-15, it is my favorite aircraft, but it is very old unfourtunatly. When I join up, I'll probably go for the F-22.

As for the JSF replacing the 15, thats not how it is working. The JSF is replacing the F-16, and the A-10. I think the JSF is stupid, especially because the only version that has a cannon is the marine one and come now we learned our lesson in vietnam about relying on missiles.

Why replace it? The F-15 Eagle has a perfect combat record of 101 victories and zero defeats.
During the Balkan conflict, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions.
The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.
The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.
A multimission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, ultrahigh frequency communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, 'identification friend or foe' system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer.
The head-up display projects on the windscreen all essential flight information gathered by the integrated avionics system. This display, visible in any light condition, provides the pilot information necessary to track and destroy an enemy aircraft without having to look down at cockpit instruments.
The F-15's versatile pulse-Doppler radar system can look up at high-flying targets and down at low-flying targets without being confused by ground clutter. It can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level. The radar feeds target information into the central computer for effective weapons delivery. For close-in dogfights, the radar automatically acquires enemy aircraft, and this information is projected on the head-up display. The F-15's electronic warfare system provides both threat warning and automatic countermeasures against selected threats.
A variety of air-to-air weaponry can be carried by the F-15. An automated weapon system enables the pilot to perform aerial combat safely and effectively, using the head-up display and the avionics and weapons controls located on the engine throttles or control stick. When the pilot changes from one weapon system to another, visual guidance for the required weapon automatically appears on the head-up display.
The Eagle can be armed with combinations of four different air-to-air weapons: AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles or AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles on its lower fuselage corners, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder or AIM-120 missiles on two pylons under the wings, and an internal 20mm Gatling gun in the right wing root.
Low-drag, conformal fuel tanks were especially developed for the F-15C and D models. Conformal fuel tanks can be attached to the sides of the engine air intake trunks under each wing and are designed to the same load factors and airspeed limits as the basic aircraft. Each conformal fuel tank contains about 114 cubic feet of usable space. These tanks reduce the need for in-flight refueling on global missions and increase time in the combat area. All external stations for munitions remain available with the tanks in use. AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles, moreover, can be attached to the corners of the conformal fuel tanks.
The F-15E is a two-seat, dual-role, totally integrated fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and deep interdiction missions. The rear cockpit is upgraded to include four multi-purpose CRT displays for aircraft systems and weapons management. The digital, triple-redundant Lear Siegler flight control system permits coupled automatic terrain following, enhanced by a ring-laser gyro inertial navigation system.
For low-altitude, high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night or in adverse weather, the F-15E carries a high-resolution APG-70 radar and low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods.
The F-15 Eagle is one of the most capable multirole fighters in the world. The F-15 entered service in 1974 and has attained an unprecedented perfect air combat record of 100.5 victories and zero losses. F-15s were responsible for downing 33 of the 35 fixed-wing aircraft Iraq lost in air combat during Operation Desert Storm, and the F-15 was responsible for downing four Mig-29 fighters during the Balkan conflict. In Desert Storm, the F-15E strike fighter provided devastatingly effective flying at night and in bad weather to attack numerous mobile Scud missile launchers and other high-value military and ground targets. The F-15E also maintained a 95.5 percent average mission capable rate, the highest of any fighter in the war. In the Balkans, the F-15E was the only fighter able to attack ground targets around the clock, in all weather conditions. The F-15E can carry payloads of up to 23,000 pounds and is the only fighter in U.S. production capable of performing the long-range, precision strike mission.
More than 1,500 F-15s have been produced for both domestic and international customers, and have accumulated more than 4.4 million flight hours. Approximately 1,150 F-15s are still in service worldwide with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, and with the air forces of Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Well, the JSF is not replacing the F-15, you have to think about it for a minute. When the USAF is going to replace a plane they're going to replace it with something that does the same job except better. The JSF DOES NOT do the F-15's job it does the F-16 and A-10s job, where as the F-22 does the F-15's job.

Anyway, no matter what we say about it the F-15 will be phased out 20 per year (at the same rate as the delivery of the F-22's) and if the USAF gets what they want then the F-16 will get phased out 200 per year. Those are the facts as of now, but since congress doesn't want to give the air force the money to pay for all of the JSF's that they 'need' it may change for the F-16.

F-15s/mtd. nuff said