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    1. Communications

    Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle demonstrator makes first flight

    July 10, 2010
    ST. LOUIS, July 10, 2010. Boeing's [NYSE: BA] Silent Eagle flight demonstrator aircraft F-15E1 completed its first flight from Lambert St. Louis International Airport. During the 80-minute flight, F-15E1 opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. The ITV was not launched.
    Pennwell web 120 96
    Pennwell web 120 96
    Posted by John McHale ST. LOUIS, July 10, 2010. Boeing's [NYSE: BA] Silent Eagle flight demonstrator aircraft F-15E1 completed its first flight from Lambert St. Louis International Airport. During the 80-minute flight, F-15E1 opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. The ITV was not launched. "The Silent Eagle demonstration flight validated our initial engineering design approach," says Boeing F-15 Development Programs director Brad Jones. "Our intent was to verify all systems are operational in a flight environment. This flawless flight allows us to move into the next phase. In the next couple of weeks, we will ferry F-15E1 to the test range and launch an AIM-120."The Silent Eagle was developed in response to international user requirements for a cost-effective, high-performance fighter aircraft to defend against future threats, Boeing officials say. The F-15SE offers unique aerodynamic, avionics, and radar cross section reduction features that provide the user with maximum flexibility to dominate the ever-changing advanced threat environment. The aircraft's Conformal Weapons Bays can carry a variety of air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weapons. "Everything about the flight went according to plan," says Dan Draeger, Boeing F-15 chief test pilot. "We saw nothing unusual during the flight, and we cleared the desired flight envelope needed to fire the missile at the test range; that is pretty much unheard of on a first flight."

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