Thanks to conformal fuel tanks, the US Air Force F-15EX fighters will receive an increased flight range

March 23 2023 32

One of the advanced combat aircraft that will soon enter combat duty in the US Air Force is the F-15EX fighter.

The F-15EX is a 4+ generation fighter developed by Boeing for the US Air Force, which is an upgraded version of the fourth generation F-15 fighter.

This combat aircraft is called the base fighter of the US Air Force, and even for the next couple of decades.

One of the main advantages of the fighter is the new fuel tanks, which significantly increase the range of the F-15EX.

Earlier it was reported that the fighters will be produced without conformal fuel tanks. However, according to the American edition of The Drive, the US Air Force still decided to purchase these tanks for the F-15EX. According to the publication, the corresponding articles are included in the Pentagon's budget for fiscal year 2024.

The Drive notes that if this happens, the F-15EX fighters will regain one of the main advantages - a long range.

In addition, according to the newspaper, next year's budget for the US Air Force plans to increase the number of government-purchased F-15EX fighter jets. It is expected that 104 aircraft will be purchased instead of the previously designated 80.

Information

Dear reader, to leave comments on the publication, you must sign in.

tralflot1832

0

23 March 2023 09: 36

Conformal fuel tanks have a significant drawback, they cannot be dropped in flight, they can only be removed from the aircraft on the ground.
1. SovAr238A
  
  +2
  
  23 March 2023 11: 33
  
  Quote: tralflot1832
  Conformal fuel tanks have a significant drawback, they cannot be dropped in flight, they can only be removed from the aircraft on the ground.
  
  They do not need to be dropped, they do not violate aerodynamics and weight distribution ...
  1. SergeyB
    
    +1
    
    23 March 2023 21: 16
    
    Quote: SovAr238A
    They do not need to be dropped, they do not violate aerodynamics and weight distribution ...
    
    How does this not violate aerodynamics !?
    With these tanks, the profile of the aircraft becomes thicker, which means that drag increases. And this is at least a decrease in speed.
    And the tanks themselves have a noticeable weight. And if you could get rid of this weight by dropping tanks, then in battle you could get an additional advantage by increasing speed and maneuverability.
Kerensky

+3

23 March 2023 09: 57

They were first tested on the F-15B in 1974.

They also stood on MiGs (then in my dacha), for 950 liters.
1. Pete mitchell
  
  +2
  
  23 March 2023 10: 04
  
  Quote: Kerensky
  On MiGs they also stood at 950 liters.
  
  I’m embarrassed to ask: on which MiG was the conformal TB used?
  On E, aka strike eagle, conformal tanks were originally used. In addition to additional fuel, they also provided the suspension of weapons.
  1. Kerensky
    
    -2
    
    23 March 2023 10: 19
    
    I’m embarrassed to ask: on which MiG was the conformal TB used?
    
    On the 29th.
    1. Pete mitchell
      
      0
      
      23 March 2023 13: 24
      
      The important word in all this comfortable TB, and therefore it became interesting on which Soviet / Russian aircraft you saw them. I was worried: what if I missed an important lecture in Bursa no, I was worried for nothing.
      Here is a colleague explaining
      Quote from: blackGRAIL
      Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) are additional fuel tanks fitted closely to the profile of the aircraft, effectively being an extension/part of the fuselage…. They can also impose slight G-limits, although this is not always a problem: CFTs on the F-15E provide the same maneuverability without G-limits.
    2. Fitter65
      
      +1
      
      23 March 2023 13: 27
      
      Quote: Kerensky
      I’m embarrassed to ask: on which MiG was the conformal TB used?
      
      On the 29th.
      
      Did not have. MiG-29 SMT
      The glider of the aircraft "9-17" was created on the basis of the glider of the fighter "9-13C". The main structural difference of the MiG-29SMT is the installation of two overhead fuselage fuel tanks. Between frames No. 8B and No. 1400 there is a tank for 8 liters, and in the tail section, between frames No. 10 and No. 480 - a tank for XNUMX liters. The design of the small tank will make it possible to install it on modernized aircraft directly in aviation units, and the large tank can be mounted at Air Force aircraft repair enterprises.
      1. Pete mitchell
        
        0
        
        23 March 2023 13: 50
        
        Quote: Fitter65
        MiG-29 SMT
        
        Just wondering, have you seen aircraft with these tanks in service? Or didn't settle down
        
        Fitter65
        
        +1
        
        23 March 2023 15: 21
        
        Quote: Pete Mitchell
        Just wondering, have you seen aircraft with these tanks in service? Or didn't settle down
        
        What tanks? Can you be more specific? If you are talking about the MiG-29SMT aircraft, product 9-17, then you haven’t seen it live, only on the news. In September 2017, they flew to Syria. As of 2023, according to open sources, there are 15 aircraft of this type in the Russian Aerospace Forces.
        
        Pete mitchell
        
        +2
        
        30 March 2023 01: 10
        
        No, not hunchbacked 9-15/17, namely with comfortable tanks. I remember reading that they were testing and everything seemed to be positive. Just wondering if they were seen live in line divisions.
  2. Zoldat_A
    
    0
    
    23 March 2023 10: 36
    
    Quote: Pete Mitchell
    I’m embarrassed to ask: on which MiG was the conformal TB used?
    1. Fitter65
      
      +2
      
      23 March 2023 13: 21
      
      Quote: Zoldat_A
      Quote: Pete Mitchell
      I’m embarrassed to ask: on which MiG was the conformal TB used?
      
      If something is not a conformal tank, but a built-in one. Even on the back. Your picture shows the MiG-21SMT
      aircraft fuel system
      The plane had 12 fuel tanks (on some - 13, an additional tank in the fairing).
      Between frames No. 11 and 28 there are containers of seven soft (integral fuselage fuel tanks are used on the MiG-21bis aircraft) fuel tanks: from frame 11 to frame 13 - tank No. 1, from frame 13 to frame 16 - tank No. 2, between frames 14 and 16 - the second additional tank; between frames 16 and 20 - tank number 3, consisting of the upper and lower parts, between frames 20 and 22 - tank number 4; between frames 22 and 25 - tank number 5, between frames 25 and 28 - tank number 6. Tanks number 5 and number 6 consist of two interconnected parts. The total capacity of the fuel system without an external tank is 2160 liters, with an external tank - 2650 liters.
      and here is one of the definitions of conformal tanks.
      Conformal fuel tanks are additional fuel tanks adjacent to the aircraft fuselage. They increase the flight range without taking up hardpoints like a PTB (outboard fuel tank).
      That is, the KTB data are superimposed on the fuselage of the aircraft, and can be dismantled from the aircraft by the forces of the ground technical staff, without changing the design of the aircraft. The same enlarged dorsal (in the fairing) fuel tanks of the MiG-21SMT and MiG-29SMT aircraft can be replaced with similar ones in the TEC, but cannot be dismantled, as this will entail a change in design. By the way, many MiG-21 SMTs were converted during operation, dorsal TBs were replaced with TBs of a smaller capacity. But they were converted at aircraft repair plants. And the KTB, I emphasize once again, are removed and installed by the forces of the technical staff at the home airfield.
2. Lawrence_OnYouNo
  
  -1
  
  23 March 2023 10: 26
  
  Quote: Kerensky
  They also stood on MiGs (then in my dacha)
  
  and then we wonder where 1,5 million VKBO sets go .... but you have something, the stump is clear, this is different !!! ....
3. Fitter65
  
  +2
  
  23 March 2023 13: 01
  
  Quote: Kerensky
  They also stood on MiGs (then in my dacha), for 950 liters.
  
  Conformal tanks on MiGs? All MiGs had them built-in. But PTB, yes, I agree, almost everyone had it. True, which MiG had a PTB-950? MiG-29 PTB-1500, MiG-23 PTB-800 under the fuselage and PTB-480 under the wings, and the wings were fixed. MiG-21 Bis one ventral like the MiG-23 PTB-800, underwing PTB-490. MiG-19 PTB-380. MiG-25P and PD - a tank with a capacity of 4370 liters at the first and 5300 liters. at the second. The Su-17s had PTB-1150 and -800, the Su-25 PTB-800, the Su-24/24m/34 PTB-3000. Su-7/9/11/15 PTB-600...
Yrec

+1

23 March 2023 10: 02

Such tanks drastically reduce wearable ammo, speed and maneuverability. In fact, such an aircraft becomes a "clear sky bomber" and can operate only without counteraction from air defense and enemy aircraft. The use of such tanks suggests that the declared flight characteristics of the F-15 are greatly overestimated.
1. haron
  
  +1
  
  23 March 2023 11: 18
  
  Quote: Yrec
  Such tanks drastically reduce wearable ammo, speed and maneuverability.
  
  And why drag the entire BC if the task is to throw two sausages at one object. In this case, no air enemy is foreseen, or the risk is minimal (two more short air / air).
  And you won't have to fire with the fuel tanks folded down. For the composition of the fuel is as secret as the offal of rockets.
  And the author was late with the topic by at least 15 years. Such tanks have already been hung on the F-15i since 1996.
  1. Bad_gr
    
    0
    
    23 March 2023 13: 57
    
    Quote: haron
    And the author was late with the topic by at least 15 years. Such tanks have already been hung on the F-15i since 1996.
    The article is not about external tanks, but about the F-15EX fighter, and it is only being put into service.
    1. Pete mitchell
      
      0
      
      23 March 2023 14: 35
      
      Quote: Bad_gr
      The article is not about external tanks, but about the F-15EX fighter, and it is only being put into service.
      It is about the fact that at first they found funding for 80 EXs, but without CFT tanks, which is strange: the predecessor of E never flew without CFT. Now potential "partners" seek funding for an additional 24 CFT boards and tanks. And that's what they're going to cram into going '24. Then, probably, WRM PTB will start begging for money
    2. haron
      
      0
      
      23 March 2023 15: 17
      
      Quote: Bad_gr
      The article is not about external tanks, but about the F-15EX fighter, and it is only being put into service.
      
      Have you read the article? Including her title?
      Usually, the title refers to the topic of the article.
      If we evaluate the text of the article, then nothing is indicated that distinguishes EX from previous models. Emphasis on those tanks and budget. That is, useful information is zero with a minus.
      1. Bad_gr
        
        0
        
        23 March 2023 17: 55
        
        Quote: haron
        Have you read the article? Including her title?
        Usually, the title refers to the topic of the article.
        
        Apparently, this article is in addition to the previous article about the F-15EX, which was here on VO, and where the same attention was paid to the absence of conformal fuel tanks.
        For the F-15EX aircraft:
        Show / Hide text
        
        March 10, 2021 received the first heavily armed fighter F-15EX Eagle II. According to Defense News, in the near future the military will begin flight tests of the aircraft. As expected, in April of this year, the US Air Force will receive the second such aircraft, and by the end of 2023 - six more F-15EXs. In total, the military expects to acquire up to 200 new fighters. The first flight of the F-15EX took place on February 2, 2021.
        
        Boeing presented a project to modernize the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber in the summer of 2018. Once completed, the F-15EX will be the most armed fighter in the world - one of its combat configurations is to be equipped with 22 air-to-air missiles (including AIM-120D missiles with a target range of up to 180 km), and the other with eight missiles air-to-air class and 28 corrected aviation 100-kg bombs SDB (Small Diameter Bomb). In total, the new combat vehicle has 12 attachment points for air-to-air missiles and 15 for air-to-ground ammunition. In total, the combat load of the fighter is 13,4 tons.
        
        The F-15EX project involves strengthening the fuselage and wing structure, installing new engines. The fighter is equipped with a "glass" cockpit, a system for displaying important information on a helmet-mounted display, a new flight control computer, advanced radio and satellite communications systems, a new warning system for radar exposure and missile launches, as well as an infrared search and tracking system.
        
        The F-15EX is equipped with a fast and high-performance Display Core Processor II (ADCP-II) on-board computer that can process 87 billion commands per second, making it one of the world's fastest aviation computing systems. The fighter also received a fly-by-wire control system, a digital cockpit, an AN / APG-82 (V) 1 AESA radar with an active phased array antenna (AFAR), an infrared search and tracking system, a Sniper aiming gondola and a modern electronic warfare (EW) and surveillance system. AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS).
        
        Initially, the F-15EX Advanced Eagle should replace the aging F-15C / D Eagle, which in the US Air Force was never replaced by the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters, which turned out to be too expensive. The latter, in addition, in order to maintain stealth, is not designed to carry a heavy rocket and bomb load. The Americans are confident that the F-35 Lightning II and F-15EX Advanced Eagle will work together - the fifth generation fighter will detect the enemy and transmit target data to the more armed fourth generation aircraft.
        
        An additional, but very important opportunity for the US Air Force, which the modern F-15 Eagle should receive in the future, is the control of a slave unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), like the Australian Boeing Loyal Wingman. Such drones are able not only to carry out reconnaissance, but also to carry missiles, significantly increasing the combat radius of the lead aircraft. It is possible that the weapon systems officer will also be responsible for such drones in the F-15EX Advanced Eagle.
        
        Another major feature of the F-15EX Advanced Eagle is the use of the Open Mission System (OMS) architecture, which allows, primarily thanks to standard interfaces and data formats, to quickly integrate modern capabilities into aircraft systems.
        http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/f15ex.html
    3. Fitter65
      
      +1
      
      23 March 2023 15: 25
      
      Quote: Bad_gr
      The article is not about external tanks, but about the F-15EX fighter, and it is only being put into service.
      
      So for modification E, such tanks were worked out in the 90s. And the EX modification is the same Eshki glider with a modified and modernized filling and that's it. There’s nothing to bother with the KTB, they worked them out for the F-15C, but they already went to E on a regular basis.
2. SovAr238A
  
  +4
  
  23 March 2023 11: 34
  
  Quote: Yrec
  Such tanks drastically reduce wearable ammo, speed and maneuverability. In fact, such an aircraft becomes a "clear sky bomber" and can operate only without counteraction from air defense and enemy aircraft. The use of such tanks suggests that the declared flight characteristics of the F-15 are greatly overestimated.
  
  You do not confuse conformal with suspended?
  I think you are very confused
3. Pete mitchell
  
  0
  
  23 March 2023 13: 28
  
  Quote: Yrec
  Such tanks drastically reduce wearable ...
  The comfortable F-15E tanks do more good than harm: + fuel, + hardpoints, with a slight increase in drag. And in addition, Strike Eagle can carry three PTBs, but that's another story.
I dare to_notice_

0

23 March 2023 10: 05

"Thanks to the conformal fuel tanks, the US Air Force F-15EX fighters will receive an increased flight range"
And they will burn better and longer.
Cat Alexandrovich

+1

23 March 2023 10: 23

But for the simple, neither the authors nor the comments explained, but what kind of thing is this?
1. Glory1974
  
  +1
  
  23 March 2023 10: 50
  
  Moreover, in one place it says "conformal", in another "comfortable".
2. blackGRAIL
  
  +2
  
  23 March 2023 12: 03
  
  Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) are additional fuel tanks fitted closely to the profile of the aircraft, effectively being an extension/part of the fuselage.
  
  Advantages. CFTs have significantly lower aerodynamic characteristics compared to external drop tanks and only a slight increase in aircraft RCS. They do not take up munitions hardpoints like drop tanks, allowing the aircraft to carry a full payload.
  
  Disadvantages. Unlike drop tanks, they cannot be dropped in flight as they are part of the aircraft's fuselage and can only be dismantled on the ground. As a result, the aircraft receives a constant small drag penalty and a small increase in aircraft weight, even when the tanks are empty. They can also impose slight G-limits, although this is not always a problem: CFTs on the F-15E provide the same maneuverability without G-limits.
vovochkarzhevsky

+2

23 March 2023 10: 49
What it looks like.

Like it or not, but in any case, an increase in take-off weight and a deterioration in aerodynamics.
The only plus is that weapons suspension points are not involved.
malyvalv

-1

23 March 2023 21: 06

I wonder where they are going to fly so far? Why would a missile launch platform, essentially the first stage of a missile that does not involve entering the air defense zone, fly far?
It seems that the Americans also have enough generals preparing for past wars.
1. SergeyB
  
  +1
  
  23 March 2023 22: 47
  
  Quote: malyvalv
  I wonder where they are going to fly so far? Why would a missile launch platform, essentially the first stage of a missile that does not involve entering the air defense zone, fly far?
  
  It's an aircraft carrier. The Americans have a large number of bases around the world. And often there is a need to transfer aircraft over a long distance.
  To do this, there is a huge fleet of air tankers and such technical solutions are being created, such as conformal tanks.
  1. malyvalv
    
    -1
    
    24 March 2023 06: 35
    
    I've been thinking. Everything is because the option is more likely to get China from its bases in Guam, the Philippines and other things.