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HandWiki. Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/30680 (accessed on 05 December 2025).
HandWiki. Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/30680. Accessed December 05, 2025.
HandWiki. "Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/30680 (accessed December 05, 2025).
HandWiki. (2022, October 21). Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/30680
HandWiki. "Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle." Encyclopedia. Web. 21 October, 2022.
Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle
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The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Engineering:Boeing_F-15SE_Silent_Eagle

The Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle was a proposed upgrade of the F-15E strike fighter by Boeing using stealth features, such as internal weapons carriage and radar-absorbent material.

f-15e f-15se stealth

1. Design and Development

On 17 March 2009, Boeing first displayed an F-15SE demonstrator. The F-15SE was designed to use fifth-generation fighter technology, such as radar-absorbing materials, to significantly reduce its radar cross-section (RCS). It would have possessed a level of stealth that the U.S. government would have allowed for export, being optimized for air-to-air missions (against X-band radars) and much less effective against ground radars (which use other frequencies).[1] Different levels of RCS reduction were studied,[2] and Boeing stated that this stealth will only be in the range of fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II from the frontal aspect.[3]

Unique features to the F-15SE were the conformal weapons bays (CWB) that would have replaced the conformal fuel tanks (CFT) to hold weapons internally – thus reducing fuel capacity – and the twin vertical tails canted outward 15° to reduce RCS.[4] Weapons can also be carried externally on hardpoints under each wing. New build F-15SEs were to be lighter and more fuel efficient than Strike Eagle conversions due to the canted tails, fly-by-wire controls, and digital electronic warfare equipment;[5] enabling two additional weapons stations on the wings.[6] The aircraft was to have a Raytheon active electronically scanned array radar, and a new BAE Systems EW system.[7]

In March 2009, Boeing formally launched the F-15SE for international sales;[7] it was aimed at F-15 users such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea.[4][8][9] Boeing estimated the unit cost as approximately US$100 million, including spares and support; its lower cost compared to fifth generation fighters was intended to appeal to the export market.[7][10] In 2009, Boeing began tentative talks with South Korea over the Silent Eagle, but was unable to market it to international customers without an export license from the US government.[11] Boeing filed for an export license in early 2010,[12] and received it in July 2010.[13] In August 2010, clearance was granted to export the F-15SE's RCS treatments and EW suite to South Korea.[14]

During August and September 2009, Boeing evaluated an F-15E with different radar absorbent coatings to select a coating.[15] The first production F-15E (86-0183) was modified to the F-15E1 configuration to serve as a demonstrator. It first flew on 8 July 2010 with a left-side CWB,[13][16] and on 20 July 2010 launched an AMRAAM from a CWB.[17]

1.1. Seeking Partners and Sales

Boeing sought other companies to be risk-sharing partners to reduce development costs.[18] In November 2010, Boeing signed an agreement with Korea Aerospace Industries for KAI to design and manufacture the F-15SE's CWB.[19] KAI had previously produced wings and forward fuselages for F-15K and F-15SG. On January 2012, The Korea Times reported that only 10% of the design work on the CWB had been completed, and that development of the canted vertical tails had been suspended in 2010.[20] However, Boeing had stated that development continued with scale model wind tunnel tests scheduled for spring 2012.[21]

Israel held several discussions over the F-15SE as an alternative to the F-35 Lightning II.[22] In August 2010, Israel opted to buy the F-35.[23] In 2015, Israel requested a squadron of F-15s based on the Silent Eagle standard.[24]

In September 2009, Saudi Arabia was reportedly considering purchasing up to 72 F-15s.[25] Although the F-15SE received initial interest,[26] the less advanced F-15SA was ordered in 2012.[27][28]

The F-15SE was submitted for Japan's F-X project, but Japan instead decided to purchase the F-35 in 2011.[29][30]

In South Korea's F-X III fighter program, the F-15SE was bid against the F-35 and Eurofighter Typhoon. Existing F-15s were used for a fly-off against the Typhoon, and an F-35 flight simulator.[31][32] On 18 August 2013, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that the F-15SE as the only remaining candidate; the F-35 being too costly and the Typhoon disqualified for bidding flaws. On 24 September 2013, the defense ministry rejected the award, saying that a new competition would be held.[33] On 22 November 2013, it was reported that South Korea will purchase the F-35A. Boeing had shifted from the F-15SE to the "Advanced F-15".[34]

2. Specifications

Basic specifications listed are for the F-15E Strike Eagle, on which the F-15SE is based.

Data from USAF F-15E fact sheet,[35] Davies,[36] and Boeing Silent Eagle[37]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 63.8 ft (19.43 m)
  • Wingspan: 42.8 ft (13.05 m)
  • Height: 18.5 ft (5.63 m)
  • Wing area: 608 ft² (56.5 m²)
  • Airfoil: NACA 64A006.6 root, NACA 64A203 tip
  • Empty weight: 31,700 lb (14,300 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 81,000 lb (36,700 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-229 afterburning turbofans
    • Dry thrust: 17800 lbf (79 kN) each
    • Thrust with afterburner: 29,000 lbf (129 kN) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.5+ (1,650+ mph, 2,650+ km/h)
  • Combat radius: 800+ nm (720 nmi for stealth A/A mission)[38] (920 miles (1,480 kilometres))
  • Ferry range: 2,400 mi (2,100 nmi (3,900 km)) with conformal fuel tank and three external fuel tanks
  • Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,200 m)
  • Rate of climb: 50,000+ ft/min (254+ m/s)

Armament

  • 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon with 510 rounds of ammunition
  • Four internal hardpoints in conformal weapons bays for low-observable capability, or
  • External load the same as Strike Eagle's with standard CFTs, including targeting pods and additional external fuel tanks.[39]

Avionics

  • APG-82 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
  • BAE Systems Digital Electronic warfare system (DEWS)
  • Digital "Fly-by-Wire" Flight Control System (DFCS)
  • Lockheed Martin Sniper advanced electro-optical targeting system and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system
  • Link-16 fighter data link

References

  1. "Clarification." Air Force magazine, 23 March 2009. http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArchive/Pages/2009/March%202009/March%2023%202009/Clarification.aspx
  2. Warwick, Graham. "Boeing Studies Stealth Eagle Options." Aviation Week, 11 June 2009. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/STEALTH06119.xml&headline=Boeing%20Studies%20Stealth%20Eagle%20Options
  3. Jones, Brad. "F-15 Future Fighters." Boeing, 16 March 2009 Briefing, p. 19. Retrieved: 18 August 2010. http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/03/f-15-silent-eagle-media-briefi.html
  4. Butler, Amy. "Boeing Unveils New Stealthy Silent Eagle F-15." Aviation Week, 17 March 2009. Retrieved: 4 October 2017. http://aviationweek.com/awin/boeing-unveils-new-stealthy-silent-eagle-f-15-0
  5. Warwick, Graham. "Silent Eagle – How Stealthy?" 'Aviation Week., 12 June 2009. http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3acfb19b80-dbc1-4cc1-adce-18bccd187551
  6. Waldron, Greg. "South Korea weighs option to replace F-4E Phantoms." Flight Global 14 October 2011. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/south-korea-weighs-options-to-replace-f-4e-phantoms-362908/
  7. Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing unveils upgraded F-15 Silent Eagle with fifth-generation features." flightglobal.com, 17 March 2009. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boeing-unveils-upgraded-f-15-silent-eagle-323962/
  8. Frost, Patricia, Damien Mills and Paul Lewis. "Boeing Unveils New International F-15 Configuration: The F-15SE." Boeing, 17 March 2009. Retrieved: 2 September 2011. http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2009/q1/090317a_nr.html
  9. Lake, Jon. "Boeing Unveils Stealthy Eagle Variant." Air International, Volume 76, Issue 5, May 2009.
  10. Butler, Amy. "Stealthy F-15 Could Enliven St. Louis Facility." Aviation Week, 20 March 2009. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/aw032309p1.xml
  11. Reed, John. "Boeing Anticipates Approval To Export F-15 Silent Eagle." Defense News, 7 July 2010. https://archive.is/20130102133353/http://defensenews.com/story.php?i=4699220&c=AME&s=AIR
  12. Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing applies to export F-15SE to South Korea." Flightglobal, 25 June 2010. Retrieved: 26 June 2010. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/25/343636/boeing-applies-to-export-f-15se-to-south-korea.html
  13. Trimble, Stephen. "F-15 Silent Eagle scores two firsts with export license, flight test." Flight International, 9 July 2010. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/09/344274/f-15-silent-eagle-scores-two-firsts-with-export-license-flight.html
  14. Sung-ki, Jung. "US approves sale of stealthy F-15 to South Korea." The Korea Times, 12 September 2010. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/09/205_72945.html
  15. Butler, Amy. "Boeing Looks To Midsummer For First Silent Eagle Flight." Aviation Week, 18 January 2010. Retrieved: 4 October 2017. http://aviationweek.com/awin/boeing-looks-midsummer-first-silent-eagle-flight
  16. Carder, Phillip and Mary Ann Brett. "Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Makes 1st Flight." Boeing, 9 July 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010. http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1304
  17. Carder, Phillip and Mary Ann Brett. "Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Completes 1st Weapon Launch." Boeing, 20 July 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010. http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1328
  18. Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing eyes risk-sharing, lower costs for $100 million F-15SE." Flight International, 4 June 2009. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/06/04/327369/boeing-eyes-risk-sharing-lower-costs-for-100-million-f-15se.html
  19. Carder, Phil and Changgyun Koh. "Boeing, Korea Aerospace Industries Sign Agreement for Production of F-15 Silent Eagle Conformal Weapons Bay." Boeing, 3 November 2010. http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1499
  20. Lee, Tae-hoon. "Boeing may give up offering stealthy jet." Korea Times, 25 January 2012. Retrieved: 28 January 2012. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/01/113_103458.html
  21. Waldron, Greg. "Seoul kicks off F-X III competition." Flight Magazine, 31 January 2012. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/seoul-kicks-off-f-x-iii-competition-367569/
  22. "Israel debates F-15 purchase", Jpost, 12 July 2010, http://www.jpost.com/International/Israel-debates-F-15-purchase .
  23. Ramirez, Luis. "Israeli Purchase of Fighter Jets Seen as Litmus Test for Continued US Support." VoA news, 17 August 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Israeli-Purchase-of-Fighter-Jets-Seen-as-Litmus-Test-for-Continued-US-Support-100899349.html
  24. Egozi, Arie (2 November 2015). "Israel requests extra squadron of F-15s". RBI. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israel-requests-extra-squadron-of-f-15s-418487/. Retrieved 2 November 2015. 
  25. Barrie, Douglas. "U.S., Saudis Deal For Additional Eagles." Aviation Week, 10 September 2009. Retrieved: 2 September 2011. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/F15E-091009.xml
  26. Grant, Greg. "Saudis Eye Buying 72 F-15s." DoD buzz, 8 September 2009. Retrieved: 18 August 2010. http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/09/08/saudis-eye-buying-72-f-15s/
  27. "US finalises $11.4 billion Saudi order for F-15s". Flight International, 9 March 2012 http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-finalises-114-billion-saudi-order-for-f-15s-369304/
  28. "2010–12 Saudi Shopping Spree: F-15s, Helicopters & More", Defense Industry Daily, 18 March 2013, http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/a-2010-saudi-shopping-spree-06520/ .
  29. Perrett, Bradley. "Bidders Await Japanese F-X RFP." Aviation Week, 17 November 2010 http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2010/11/17/04.xml
  30. "US Lockheed Martin F-35 chosen as Japan fighter jet". BBC News. 20 December 2011. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16259895. Retrieved 20 December 2011. 
  31. Waldron, Greg. "Seoul readies F-X III RFP." Flight Magazine, 9 January 2012. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/seoul-readies-f-x-iii-rfp-366654/
  32. Sang-ho, Song. "Controversy grows over F-35 flight test." The Korea Herald, 10 June 2012. http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20120610000262&cpv=0
  33. Kim, Sam (24 September 2013). "South Korea to Hold New Fighter Tender After Rejecting Boeing". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-23/boeing-favored-to-win-7-7-billion-south-korean-jet-fighter-deal.html. Retrieved 24 September 2013. 
  34. "South Korea to obtain 40 F-35As", Flight global, 22 November 2013, http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/south-korea-to-obtain-40-f-35as-393402/ .
  35. "F-15E Strike Eagle fact sheet." United States Air Force, October 2007. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=102
  36. Davies 2002, Appendix 1.
  37. "Silent Eagle."boeing.com, 2012. http://www.boeing.com/advertising/bma/strike/strike_06.html
  38. "Silent Eagle Media Brief." Boeing via slideshare.net. Retrieved: 29 September 2010. https://www.slideshare.net/TheDEWLine/silent-eagle-media-briefdoc
  39. "Defense Update on Silent Eagle." defense-update.com. Retrieved: 18 August 2010. http://defense-update.com/products/f/f-15se_180309.html
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