Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle demonstrator makes first flight

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.
July 10, 2010
2 min read
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."
Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates

Related

Navy chooses Serco for research in advanced sonar signal processing for anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
Army asks Dynetics to build air defense system with missile interceptors and a future laser weapon
Stamped Metal Antennas
Sponsored
SPDT Toggle Switches with SMA Connectors
Sponsored

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!