Fighters - Weapons - Brief Article - Evaluation

Airman, Jan, 2002

F-15C/D Eagle

Primary function: Air superiority tactical fighter.

Speed: 1,875 mph.

Dimensions: Wingspan 42 ft. 9 in., length 63 ft. 9 in., height 18 ft. 7 1/2 in.

Range: 3,450 miles.

Armament: One M-61A1 20 mm multibarrel gun, four AIM-120 AMRAAM, two AIM-7F/M sparrow missiles and two AIM-9L/M sidewinder missiles.

Crew: F-15C, one; F-15D, two.

Inventory: F-15C, 334 and F-15D, 52; Guard, F-15C, 10 and F-150, two.

F-15E Strike Eagle

Primary function: Dual-role fighter, air-to-air and interdiction.

Speed: 1,875 mph.

Dimensions: Wingspan 42 ft. 9 in., length 63 ft. 9 in., height 18 ft. 7 1/2 in.

Range: 3,450 miles.

Armament: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-7 F/M sparrow missiles, AIM-9L/M sidewinder missiles, one M-61A1 20 mm multibarrel cannon, MK82/84, CBU-87/89, GBU-10/12/15/24/27/28, EGBU-15, AGM-65, AGM-130.

Crew: Two.

Inventory: 228.

F-16C/D Fighting Falcon

Primary function: Multirole fighter.

Speed: 1,500 mph.

Dimensions: Wingspan 32 ft. 8 in., length 49 ft. 5 in., height 16 ft.

Range: 2,000 miles.

Armament: One M-61A1 20 mm multibarrel gun, up to six AIM-9 infrared missiles, AMRAAM missiles, air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods.

Crew: F-16C, one; F-16D, one or two.

Inventory: F-16C, 585 and F-16D, 129; Guard, F-16C, 438 and F-16D, 40; Reserve, F-16C, 59 and F-16D, 10.

F-117A Nighthawk

Primary function: Fighter/attack.

Speed: High subsonic.

Dimensions: Wingspan 43 ft. 4 in., length 65 ft. 11 in., height 12 ft. 5 in.

Range: Unlimited with aerial refueling.

Armament: Internal weapons carriage able to employ a variety of weapons.

Crew: One.

Inventory: 54.