In August 2022, there were reports that Iran is supplying Russia with a stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, also known as a ‘drone’). This is feasible because, during the U.S. President Barack Obama regime, Iran was able to capture a U.S. stealth drone in 2011, and they successfully reverse engineered it.
Photo showing mass production of Iranian drones, copied from a captured U.S. stealth drone.
The Washington Post also claims that Iran sent Russia its Shahed-191 Stealth drone. Video purporting to show Iranian copies of U.S. stealth UAVs in flight:
However, the Biden regime specifically mentioned two Iranian drones; the Mohajer-6 and the Shahed-129, neither of which are considered stealth and they are not copies of the U.S. stealth UAV.
Mohajer (Migrant)-6
The Mohajer (Migrant)-6 is an evolution of a family of UAVs developed specifically by the Revolutionary Guards. Apparently the Iranian Army has only three of them, while the Revolutionary Guards has at least 50. It looks like a reduced scale version of the old U.S. OV-10 Bronco observation/close support aircraft. Reportedly, Venezuela made a deal to build this drone itself.
Shahed (Witness)-129 Second Generation
There are several generations of the Shahed (Witness)-129, and the most recent version looks similar to the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper and the Israeli Hermes 900.
Shahed (Witness)-129 First Generation
The Shahed-129 prototype (and first generation Shaheds) look to be reverse engineered/direct copied from an Israeli Hermes 450 UAV that crashed and was acquired by Iran. Iran has already exported the Hermes 450 version of their Shahed to Syria, to help fight the Western/NATO instigated Civil War.
Video from 2014, showing first generation Iranian Shahed-129 flying over Syria:
The U.S. stealth drone copy is known as the Saegheh (Thunderbolt). The U.S. version is the RQ-170 Sentinel. Iran has already evolved their Saegheh into several versions and claims they will be operating at least 50 of them by 2025. Iran sent Saeghehs to Syria, and Israel claims to have shot one down in 2018. There is confusion as the Saegheh has also been referred to as the Shahed.
Saegheh (Thunderbolt) Shahed-191
The Shahed-191 is the armed version (two internal weapon bays) of the Saegheh, which can be launched from the back of Toyota pickups.
NATO Italian IVECO based drone control vehicle, used by Iran.
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, August 2022.
Towards the end of August 2022, Slovak MiG-29s made their final military flights during the Slovak International Air Fest over Malacky-Kuchyňa Air Base. Although they had been recently upgraded with NATO standard equipment, and were expected to be in use until 2035, the Ukraine Crisis resulted in the sudden/hasty retirement of the MiG 29s.
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, August 2022.
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, August 2022.
A recent U.S./NATO sponsored air defense agreement between Czech Republic (now known by the wimpy name of Czechia), Poland and Republic of Slovakia, will have Slovak air space defended by Czechia’s Swedish made JAS-39 Gripens and Poland’s U.S. made F-16s, until Slovakia is equipped with U.S. made F-16s (in 2018 Slovakia agreed to buy 14 F-16 Block 70/72 from NATO-United States).
Military personnel of Slovakia and the United States pose in front of a Cold War MiG 29 ‘Gate Guard’ on Sliač Air Base, Slovakia, 28JUL2020. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Savannah L. Waters.
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
For more proof that the MiG 29 was to be in use for at least another decade, in November 2018 the Slovak government decided to continue operating the MiG 29 until all the expected F-16 Block 70/72s were delivered. But now, Slovkia’s eleven recently NATO upgraded MiG-29s are just hanging around, waiting for so-called NATO guidance on their fate.
MiG-29UB trainer. Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
It should be realized that the Czech-o-Slovakia was an artificial country created by the British empire led victors of World War One. During the lead-up to World War Two, Germany became the so called protectorate of the area of Czechia, while an independent Slovak State was declared. After that war, the victorious Soviet Union forced the two back together as the Czech-o-Slovakia.
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
After the unofficial Cold War unofficially ended, former Warsaw Pact member Czech-o-Slovakia split up, into the Czech Republic and Republic of Slovakia. Slovakia took 24 MiG-29s as part of the divorce from Czechia and as part of payment of debt owed by the former Soviet Union.
Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
In the past few years, Slovakia embarked on a program to convert its military to NATO standards, one of those actions included sending four fighter pilots to the United States to train on F-16 Falcons, in 2020.
Slovak MiG 29 flies with two Indiana Air Guard ‘BlackSnakes’ A-10C Thunderbolt-2s, 27JUL2016. Indiana Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sergeant William Hopper.
A Slovak MiG 29 flies alongside a Czech JAS 39. Photo via Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
Nebraska Air National Guard video, September 2013; a Nebraska Air Guard KC-135 refuels a Czech JAS 39 Gripen over Slovakia, while a Slovak MiG 29 Fulcrum plays the bad guy and ‘intercepts’ the ‘invaders’:
Tiger Meet Mig 29UB. Photo via Ministerstvo obrany Slovenskej republiky, (Mo Sr).
Photo via Ministerstvo obrany Slovenskej republiky, (Mo Sr).
23mm gun-smoke. Photo via Ministerstvo obrany Slovenskej republiky, (Mo Sr).
2008 Ministerstvo obrany Slovenskej republiky (Mo Sr) video, pilot talks about flying the MiG 29:
Believe it or not, little Republic of Latvia doesn’t have any main battle tanks. The closest thing it has is the M109A5Ö self propelled artillery gun, and the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle-Tracked FV107 Scimitar recon/scout tank. Latvia also uses the CVR-T FV104 Samaritan ambulance, the FV103 Spartan personnel carrier and several other versions of the CRV-T.
This May 2014 Latvijas Armija video explains the different CVR-Ts in use:
Latvian Minister of Defense gets taken for a ride in a British made FV107 Scimitar. Michigan Army National Guard photo by Sergeant First Class Helen Miller, 28APR2016.
Latvian Defence Ministry photo, 18NOV2017.
Latvijas Armija video about deployment to NATO United Kingdom for a ‘friendly’ (wargame), May 2018:
Latvian Defence Ministry photo by Gatis Dieziņš, 08NOV2019.
Latvian Defence Ministry photo by Armīns Janiks, 13JAN2020.
During a NATO wargame, 13JAN2020. Latvian Defence Ministry photo by Armīns Janiks.
Latvijas Armija video showing FV107 Scimitars and FV103 Spartan personnel carriers in action, June 2020:
FV107 on public display, 21AUG2021. Latvian Defence Ministry photo by Gatis Dieziņš.
FV104 Samaritan. Latvian Defence Ministry photo by Gatis Dieziņš, 26OCT2021.
Latvia relies on other NATO countries to bring in the big Main Battle Tanks, in case of invasion. NATO Canada commands NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia (which might explain Latvia’s use of British empire English, instead of U.S. English). The CRV-T series is a British empire made vehicle, designed and built in the United Kingdom during the undeclared Cold War. Latvia continues to receive upgraded versions of the CRV-T.
Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) first entered service in 1983. The Rome Air Development Center can trace its origins back to 1942, World War Two, when it was first used to test bomb sights for bombers.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
Rome Air Development Center-Newport Measurement Facility (New York), aka Rome Laboratory, aka USAF Super Lab, aka Newport Research Site-Griffiss Institute, aka Griffiss Air Force Base.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
The elaborate ‘Newport Antenna Measurement Facility’ uses several different height, 3-axis position, towers. The site tests new radars, electronic jamming and the effectiveness of experimental electronic countermeasures. Specifically, the size and shape of a vehicle directly affects electronic signals.
Photo via Rome Air Development Center-Newport Research Site.
U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Junior, 17AUG2022.
On 24AUG2022, the United States Air Force (USAF) boasted of acquiring its first ever USAF developed helicopter, except that was far from the truth. The truth is that the USAF spent two years assessing a 20+ years old helicopter design that is already in use by NATO members and even Russia! It is actually built by a NATO Italy aerospace company; Leonardo (aka Leonardo Helicopters).
USAF photo by Samuel King Junior, 17AUG2022.
On 17AUG2022, the MH-139A Grey Wolf took its first official flight as a USAF air asset, from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The assessment process began in December 2019.
Overly dramatic USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Philip Bryant, about the name Grey Wolf, and why it is so important to the USAF to buy a foreign helicopter, 19DEC2019:
The MH-139A will replace the USAF’s aging fleet of U.S. Army developed Viet Nam/Cold War era Bell (now known as Bell Textron) UH-1N ‘Huey’ rotary wings.
USAF photo by Samuel King Junior, 17AUG2022.
USAF video report by Jennifer Vollmer & Jaime Bishopp, 17AUG2022:
The USAF tries to make it sound like the MH-139A Grey Wolf is a U.S. helicopter, while the contract was issued to Boeing, even Boeing admits it isn’t the one building the helicopter! The Pratt & Whitney turbines are made in NATO Canada, the transmission parts are built in NATO United Kingdom and in Japan, NATO Turkey builds the major fuselage parts, and final assembly is done by Leonardo Helicopters! (Leonardo boasts about its international supply chain)
Over in NATO Europe it is known as the AW139 (AgustaWestland 139). The AW139 was the creation of AgustaWestland. During the Cold War, and the 1990s, Agusta and Westland were separate companies. In 2000 they merged into one company, and in 2016 the name was changed to Leonardo.
In the late 1990s, Bell Textron and AgustaWestland worked together to create a new helicopter to compete against rivals Sikorsky and Eurocopter. The first version was called AB139/BA309, then finally AW139. The first AW139 flew in 2001. AgustaWestland even opened a final assembly factory in the United States (now known as AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, aka Leonardo Helicopters Pennsylvania), and changed the name of the helicopter to US139, to try and increase their competition with U.S. based Sikorsky, and NATO Europe based Eurocopter, for a U.S. Army contract. The competition was lost to Eurocopter’s UH-72 Lakota. In 2005, AgustaWestland bought out Bell Textron’s interest in the AW139. By the end of 2012, AgustaWestland began building AW139s in Russia, the sworn enemy of NATO! (On March 2022, Leonardo Helicopters halted production in Russia.)
The first look for NATO of a Ka-27, aboard Soviet destroyer Udaloy, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, September 1982.
The first Kamov 27 flew in 1973, beginning naval service by 1982, today at least a dozen countries still use it. NATO calls it the Ka-27 Helix. China and India use the export version known as Ka-28. It is primarily used as an anti-ship weapons platform, but is also used for things like transport and fire fighting. The silly-vilian (civilian) version is Ka-32.
A Soviet Kamov 27 flying alongside a USN SH-3 Sea King. Location, date and photographer unknown.
Video of Cold War era film of Ka-27 action:
Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, Ka-27 Helix helicopters aboard Soviet aircraft carrier Baku (CVHG 103). USN photo by Lieutenant P.J. Azzolina, June 1988.
A Soviet Ka-32 Helix during Airshow Canada ’89 (Abbotsford Air Show), in British Columbia. Photo by Pat Nugent, August 1989.
Helix hangers on a Soviet Udaloy class guided missile destroyer. U.S. Navy photo dated October 1990.
Three Russian Ka-32 Helix-C in Bahrain, 16MAY1993. U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade John Bouvia.
In June 1994, U.S. military personnel took part in a disaster response exercise on Vladivostok, Russia. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Charles W. Alley.
U.S. ally Republic of Korea (South Korea) uses the Ka-32C for Maritime Police actions. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Grenda, 19JUL1999.
Ka-27 on the fantail of the Russian Frigate Neustrashimy (712). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class George Sisting, 07JUN2004.
Kamov 27 Helix landing on the Ticonderoga Class Cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), somewhere in the Baltic Sea, 07JUN2004. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class George Sisting.
A Russian Ka-27 Helix takes part in a USN disaster response exercise on Santa Rita Naval Base, Guam, 31MAR2006. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Edward N. Vasquez.
A Russian Navy Ka-27 during anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, 09FEB2009. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jason Zalasky.
Kamov on the fantail of destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, Gulf of Aden. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jason Zalasky, 09FEB2009.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Jason Zalasky, 09FEB2009.
Ukrainian Ka-27 Helix aboard USS Taylor during NATO wargame Sea Breeze, 20JUL2010. USN photo by Petty Officer First Class Edward Kessler.
A NATO Portugal Ka-32A11BC fighting a wildfire.
14AUG2012 video of NATO Portuguese Ka-32A11BC fighting fires:
Indian Navy Ka-28 Helix lands on the flight deck of USS McCampbell (DDG 85), 07NOV2013. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Paul Kelly.
Ukrainian Helix aboard USS Ross (DDG 71) during a wargame, 02JUN2015. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Robert S. Price.
Ukrainian Ka-27 Helix during NATO’s Sea Breeze wargame, 22JUL2016. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg.
USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg, 22JUL2016.
Ka-28’s forward landing gear. PLA-Navy photo by Li Hengjiang, 24FEB2018.
PLA-Navy photo by Li Hengjiang, 24FEB2018.
PLA-Navy photo by Li Hengjiang, 24FEB2018.
NATO wargame Sea Breeze, in The Black Sea, July 2018. A Ukrainian Kamov aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Justin Stumberg.
In September 2018, Russian Helicopters (which now includes Kamov) announced it had received more orders to build its latest version of the Helix, the Ka-32A11BC Heavy Utility Helicopter.
In December 2018, a Korean Ka-32T crashed into the Han River while fighting a wildfire. Two of the three crewmembers survived. The photo purports to show the same Ka-32T before the crash. Photo via Yonhap News Agency.
The Ka-32A11BC not only uses a bucket for fighting fires, it also uses a giant spray gun:
Russian Ministry of Defense video of the Ka-27 dropping bombs from its internal bomb bay, February 2020:
SWISSPOWERJET video of Ka-32 in action, April 2021:
Russian Navy Ka-27 during joint China-Russia wargames in the Peter The Great Gulf, Sea of Japan, 15OCT2021. PLA-Navy photo by Sun Jingang.
China uses the new Ka-32A11BC for fire fighting.
PLA Eastern Command Ka-28, photographed by Xu Ziyang, 21JAN2022.
HeliSwiss Ka-32. Since March 2022, and because of the Ukraine Crisis, the European Union has suspended certificate approval for Kamov helicopters operated by EU members.
In this People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy video, about bad weather helicopter training, you can see a Ka-28 Helix, 31MAY2022:
Photo via Russian Helicopters.
Photo via Russian Helicopters.
Photo via Russian Helicopters.
In November 2021, Rostec (aka State Corporation for Assistance to Development, Production and Export of Advanced Technology), revealed that flight testing for the latest fire-fighting version began. It is called the Ka-32A11M.
Photo via Russia Helicopters/Rostec, November 2021.
Eagles like to nest at the top of trees. 14AUG1986.
Rome Air Development Center-Newport Measurement Facility (New York), aka USAF Super Lab, aka Newport Research Site-Griffiss Institute, aka Griffiss Air Force Base.
A pole dancing F-15 Eagle? Researching the tail number I came across info that says it is an F-15A (72-0113). It is mounted upside down on a pedestal at the Rome Air Development Center’s (aka USAF Super Lab) Newport, New York, test site. A radar warning system pod mounted on the fuselage is being compared to the onboard radar warning system, 06OCT1988.
I’ve read the official 1991“in-house report”on Super Lab activities and it made no mention of the pole dancing F-15A, it talks about the late 1970s pole dancing F-111, and middle 1980s F-16 (which took place at about the same time as the F-15 testing).
Information that was issued with the publicly released photos incorrectly says this Eagle is a F-15C!
Photo via Rome Air Development Center.
F-15A 72-0113 was one of the first production Eagles. Interestingly it was quickly retired, after only a few years of testing over Edwards Air Force Base in California, to The Bone Yard (Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona) in 1977. Then, in 2005 it was reported as being “preserved on a pole” in Newport, New York!
Photo via ‘USAF Super Lab’.
Supposedly, F-15A tail number 72-0113 was spotted still hanging around the USAF Super Lab, in 2016. Unfortunately, Newport Research Site-Griffiss Institute’s website doesn’t give any information about the F-15.
U.S. Air Force photo, 24SEP1979.
Photographic evidence shows that #72-0113 was delivered to the Rome Air Development Center in September 1979.
An F-15 Eagle pole dances while a YA-10 waits its turn.
The elaborate ‘antenna test site’ use several different height, 3-axis position, towers. The site tests the effects of radar, electronic jamming and the effectiveness of experimental electronic countermeasures.
A July 1986 photo showing 72-0113 on top of the Irish Hill tower. The info that came with the photo incorrectly states that it is in Rhode Island!
Photo via ‘USAF Super Lab’.
The aircraft that have been tower mounted, so far, are the YA-10, AC-130, F-4, F-16, F-15, F-18, F-22, F-35, MH 60 SEAHAWK and sections of the B-1B, EC-135 Snoopy, and others.
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California, 10SEP1970. Photo via U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
Tuscaloosa earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation New Life (aka Operation Frequent Winds/Fleet Wind/Helping Hand/Eagle Pull), when it escorted 26 South Vietnamese navy vessels to the Philippines in 1975.
Near Guam, November 1979, USN photo.
Aboard the floating dry dock Steadfast (AFDM-14), April 1986, USN photo.
Leaving San Diego for PacEx ’89, 18SEP1989. USN photo by Andrew Heuer.
During wargames in South Korea, March 1990. USN photo by Joe Lancaster.
This USN photo purports to show a Newport class LST taking part in Desert Shield/Storm, however, it is dated as April 1992. Desert Storm officially ended in January 1991!
USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Robert S. Shanks, 18FEB1994.
LST 1187 was decommissioned, in San Diego, California, on 18FEB1994.
USN photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Robert S. Shanks, 18FEB1994.
On death row, LST 1187 about to be towed to the killing field somewhere in the Pacific, near Hawaii, 12JUL2014. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Charles E. White.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force video, 14JUL2014, P-3C Orion launches AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile at LST-1187:
USN video, Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 14JUL2014, Sinking Exercise (SinkEx):
The USN reported that LST 1187 sank about 12:15, on 14JUL2014.
F-15A number one rolled out of the Saint Louis, Missouri, factory. Notice it does not yet have the DayGlo orange paint applied. McDonnell-Douglas photo, 26JUN1972.
McDonnell-Douglas F-15A number one gets packed aboard a Lockheed C-5A Galaxy, for its trip to Edwards Air Force Base, California.
McDonnell-Douglas photo of the first flight of F-15 number one, 27JUL1972. DayGlo paint not yet applied. Notice the shape of the wings and stabilators.
The first F-15A, #71-280, unveiled publicly after its first flight, July 1972, it now has the DayGlo paint applied. It was never called the YF-15 as several interweb sites say. From the beginning it was F-15 Eagle.
USAF promotional video, by Airman First Class Moses Taylor:
71-280 F-15A number one is now serving museum duty on Lackland AFB, Texas. However, it is painted to represent a different F-15.
This B-52 is carrying a 3/8th-scale F-15A drone, back then called a Remotely Piloted Research Vehicle (RPRV), 23OCT1973. This was done to test the possibility of stall-spins, before the real F-15A Eagles began their test flights.
The 12 contractor F-15As were used in Category I pre-production T&E, the eight USAF F-15As were used in Category IIpre-production T&E. They were never officially designated as prototypes or even called YF-15 (as some online sites say), they were officially called McAir F-1 (for the F-15A single seaters) and McAir F-2 (for the TF-15 two seaters). The Category I phase was later re-named Contractor Development, Test & Evaluation, the Category II phase was renamed Air Force Development, Test & Evaluation.
Installing a F-15 style intake on a J85 nacelle. NASA photo, 1975.
Photo via Edwards AFB photo shop. NASA’s F-15A 71-287 in 1976, testing the FMD version of Pratt & Whitney’s F-100. 287 would go on to test the HIDEC system, in the early 1990s.
I took this photo with a crappy little fixed focus 110 camera, in 1977.
This photo shows a T&E Eagle (possibly number one) with the straight edged stabilators. McDonnell-Douglas photo.
This photo shows the smaller speed/dive brake of pre-production aircraft F-15A number five (71-284). It was apparently the first F-15 to get the 20mm Vulcan gun, obviously not at the time this photo was made (due to lack of gun port). McDonnell-Douglas photo.
The pre-production T&E Eagles can be distinguished from later production Eagles by the shape of the wing tips, the shape of the elevators (officially called ‘snag stabilators’) and the size of the speed/dive brake. T&E F-15As had squared-off wing tips, stabilators that did not have a ‘dog tooth’, and had a smaller more rectangular speed/dive brake. However, several T&E F-15 Eagles were quickly updated with the snag stabilators, yet retained the original wing tips and small speed brake.
This photo shows one of the T&E Eagles updated with the snaggle toothed stabilators. USAF photo via the Edwards AFB photo shop, I got it in the mid-’70s but exact date it was made is unknown.
One of the T&E F-15s transferred to NASA, with original configuration wing tips and stabilators.
For kit builders, the first issue 1:72 scale Hasegawa, Revell U.S.A. and Monogram kits were based on the Category I McAir F-1 Eagles.
They were quickly revised once the final changes were established for the production F-15s.
The same T&E F-15, with the squared-off wing tips, but it has been updated with the dog-tooth elevators. NASA photo, 24FEB1978.
Development of the F-15A actually started in the late 1960s, it was designed as a pure dog-fighter, intended to replace the F-4 Phantom-2 in that role. The design was based on U.S. air combat experience over Viet Nam, and on incorrect assumptions about Soviet fighter development, especially the MiG-25 Foxbat.
The defected MiG 25P. This is the photo that inspired the artwork on Minicraft/Hasegawa’s black bordered box issue of their MiG 25 kit, in the late-1970s.
Before the defection of a Soviet pilot in a MiG-25P, to Japan in 1976, the ‘experts’ in the U.S. Department of Defense thought the Foxbat was a dog-fighter. The MiG-25 was actually a straight line Mach 3 bomber interceptor, it carried four long range anti-bomber missiles, and had no guns. Fortunately, the incorrect assumptions resulted in a still potent modern day dog-fighter (proven by the Israeli Air Force) that has also proved it excels at other forms of aerial combat.
TF-15A #71-290. Photo via the Edwards AFB photo shop. 290’s final mission would be as the NF-15B ACTIVE in the late 1990s.
I got this photo from the Edwards AFB photo shop in the mid-1970s. It is TF-15A/F-15B 71-291, which would go on to become the ‘demonstrator’ (mock-up) of the F-15E concept.
71-291 all gussied-up for the Bicentennial in July 1976, and flying over its birthplace of Saint Louis, Missouri. McDonnell-Douglas photo by Pat McManus.
Also in 1972, a combat capable trainer version was created called the TF-15A, but it was soon re-designated F-15B. The improved F-15C single seater, and the improved F-15D two seater, were created in 1979. Visually they all look the same as the improvements are internal.
Bare metal Streak Eagle, named because it was naked, not fast. In the 1970s there was a fad called streaking, which meant you got naked and ran as fast as you could through a public gathering. The insignia on the vertical tail was removed for the high speed runs.
Between 16JAN1975 and 01FEB1975, a bare metal F-15A nicknamed Streak Eagle, broke eight time-to-climb world records. It was then donated to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, in 1980, where it was painted to protect from corrosion:
The F-15 is used by Israel, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.
The second F-15A Eagle (71-0281) was turned over to NASA in February 1976. It was used in no less than 25 experiments which not only benefitted the USAF and NASA, but also the civilian airliner industry.
NASA F-15A #281 over the Mojave Desert, California, 03MAR1978.
This NASA F-15A Eagle was used to compare actual in-flight aerodynamic data to data collected from models in wind tunnels, 17MAY1978.
This is a NASA image showing what their proposed F-15-2D/STOL/MTD would look like, using NASA’s F-15B Eagle. The project would morph into the NF-15B ACTIVE program in the late 1990s.
Somewhere over NATO Norway, the Sun is setting on an F-4E Phantom-2, while its replacement, an F-15B Eagle flies in formation. USAF photo by Master Sergeant Edward Condon, 08MAR1982.
Potential satellite killer. An F-15 armed with the ASAT missile, sometime in 1983. USAF photo.
On Bitburg AFB, West Germany, an F-15D Eagle blows off steam, at full throttle in a ‘Baker Sound Suppressor Unit’. USAF photo by Jose Lopez Junior, November 1984.
An F-15A Eagle gets armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder anti-aircraft missile, while taking part in wargames over Australia, 01OCT1985. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Marvin D. Lynchard.
An F-15B Eagle taxis past the then new air traffic control tower on Edwards AFB, sometime in the mid 1980s (1987?).
A pole dancing F-15C Eagle? It is mounted upside down on a pedestal at the Rome Air Development Center’s (aka USAF Super Lab) Newport, New York, test site. An external radar warning system pod mounted on the fuselage is being compared to the onboard radar warning system, 06OCT1988.
The ground attack F-15E Strike Eagle began service in 1989, however, the first production F-15E (86-183) came off the assembly line in 1986.
86-183, the first production F-15E.
At first it was just called the F-15E Dual Role Fighter, no Strike Eagle. They stenciled on the nose F-15E No. 1, to be clear that it is the first F-15E.
F-15E Strike Eagles, and a F-15C Eagle, are flanked by F-16s as they fly over burning oil wells, during Desert Storm in early 1991.
Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
NASA’s HIDEC (Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control) F-15A (NASA #835, USAF #71-287), Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards AFB, California, February 1993.
A 53rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle returns to Aviano Air Base, Italy, after a No-Fly-Zone mission over Bosnia-Herzegovina. USAF photo by Technical Sergeant David Mcleod, 12APR1993.
A 10% scale wind tunnel model of the F-15E Strike Eagle, used to test the viability of ‘pneumatic forebody controls’, September 1994.
Size comparison between USAF F-15C Eagle & E Strike Eagle, and a Slovak MiG-29 Fulcrum. According to the USAF, this was the first time F-15 Eagles and MiG-29s flew together. Photo by Technical Sergeant Brad Fallin, 25MAY1996.
USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Esteban Esquivel, of Israeli F-15I Ra’am operations on Uvda Air Base, Israel, May 2017:
A Ukrainian flag behind the windshield of a California Air National Guard (CANG) F-15D Eagle, 26OCT2017. A Ukrainian General is in the front seat while a CANG Lieutenant Colonel is in the back seat, it was a flight promoting the military partnership of California and Ukraine. CANG photo by Senior Master Sergeant Chris Drudge.
Somewhere in the Middle East (South West Asia), September 2017 USAF video report about F-15E Strike Eagle operations against so-called Islamic State:
California Air National Guard (CANG) video, by Staff Sergeant Christian Jadot, of historical moment when for the first time California’s 144th Fighter Wing lands their F-15C & D Eagles on Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, 06OCT2018 (it should be noted that it was not the first time for California to send aircraft to Ukraine, in 2011 the CANG sent F-16 Falcons):
On 04MAY2021, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, based on the United Kingdom, conducted an “Independence Flyover” of the tiny NATO country of Latvia. Short video of F-15E getting refueled enroute to Latvia by Technical Sergeant Emerson Nuñez:
USAF video, by Staff Sergeant Danielle Sukhlall, of Japanese F-15J Eagles operating from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 07JUN2021:
A November 2021 USAF promo video, by Staff Sergeant River Bruce, states the F-15 series of aircraft has a long way to go before retirement:
In January 2022, at least six F-15E Strike Eagles (from Seymour Johnson Air Base, North Carolina) were deployed to NATO Belgium, for so-called air policing missions against Russia. Video via NATO:
February 2022:
Ämari Air Base, Estonia, U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Megan M. Beatty, 01FEB2022.
Cold War: Approximately 1947 (due to U.S. President Harry Truman’s Truman Doctrine) to 1991 (Operation Desert Storm, collapse of Soviet Union).
The prototype of the Soviet Tu-16 was the Tu-88, which first flew in Spring1952, production of the Tu-16 began in December 1952. China still produces its own version.
Silent Soviet films, from 1957, showing-off their new Tupolev 16:
On 25MAY1968, the U.S. Navy (USN) carrier group led by USS Essex CVS-9 was ‘badgered’ by several Soviet aircraft, including variants of the Tu-16, while sailing through the Norwegian Sea. It ended badly for one hot-shot Badger.
Silent USN film of Tu-16 Badger C:
Silent USN film of Badger C and Badger G:
A Badger gets danger-close to the USS Essex, while other Badgers fly at sea level:
The USN claimed one of the hot-shot Badgers crashed while sea skimming, and USN Sea Kings were dispatched to rescue the Soviet Tu-16 crew. The silent, and faded, film shows a Tu-16 buzzing USS Essex, then on the horizon can barely be seen the smoke plume of the crashed Badger, other Tu-16s continue to overfly CVS-9:
Unfortunately the Badger crew did not survive, what was recovered by the USN was handed over to a Soviet Kotlin class destroyer with the hull number of 311, which had pulled along side the USS Essex:
After taking on the bodies of the Badger crew, hull number 311 gives a salute with its main guns, and sails away:
Photo released by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), 15MAR1974.
A seemingly neglected Egyptian Tu-16 Badger, December 1981. Photo by Staff Sergeant Bill Thompson.
A derelict Egyptian Tu-16 sits behind two USAF C-130s during wargame Bright Star 82.
Egyptian Tu-16s. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Donald Sutherland, dated 01NOV1980 (which is probably incorrect as the info also says it was during Bright Star 90).
This U.S. DoD released photo says it is a Badger C, sometime in 1981, however it is unknown who made the photo, or where the photo was recorded.
Somewhere over the north of the United Kingdom, September 1982.
Tu-16 Badger ‘C’ approaching the United Kingdom, September 1982.
Same incident, different Badger, September 1982.
Badger belly over the United Kingdom, September 1982.
Badgering a USN destroyer somewhere over the Indian Ocean, June 1983.
Tu-16 Badger C. Photo dated 1984, original source unknown.
Badger C, photo dated October 1985.
Badgering the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, January 1986.
Badger D spying on NATO naval wargames in September 1986. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate First Class Jeff Hilton.
Somewhere over the Mediterranean Sea, 11AUG1986.
A VF-1 Wolfpack F-14 Tomcat badgers two Badger ‘F’s, 14JUL1987.
The U.S. DoD released this photo in May 1989, without any other information.
In 1958 China received its first Tu-16, then in 1959, the first Xian Aircraft Corporation license built Tu-16 took flight, under the designation H-6.
PLA Eastern Theater Command video, edited by Lin Congyi, of Tu-16s (H-6), and the new H-6K, conducting night training, 02JUN2022:
PLA Southern Command photo by Gao Hongwei, 05JAN2022.
PLA video, edited by Chen Zhuo, Tu-16s (H-6), and the new H-6K, practice low level bombing, 29NOV2021:
Preparing for a night flight. PLA Eastern Command photo by Wang Jun, 16APR2021.
PLA Eastern Command photo by Li Bingxuan, 16APR2021.
PLA Eastern Command photo by Li Bingxuan, 16APR2021.
