4 replies to this topic

[kcdusk]

My favourite aircraft (solely based on childhood impressions) is either the Tornado or the F-15E Strike Eagle, depending on what day it is. For kicks i just worked through a comparison of an F-15 and an F-18 attacking a soviet Kresta to see what differences there would be, if any. The result was: there were lots of differences!

Both the F-15 and F-18 approached the Kresta at Medium height.

The F-18
Detected the Kresta before being detected itself
Fired its Harpoon from a range outside the range of the Krestas air defenses
The Harpoon was very difficult for the Krestas air defenses to shoot down
The Harpoon does much more damage than the F-15's Mavericks.

The F-15
Was detected by the Kresta before the F-15 detected its target (although both detected each other well outside eithers ability to fire)
Had to approach (just) within the Krestas anti-air defence systems to fire its armament, possibly putting itself at risk
The AGM-65 (Maverick) was much easier for the Kresta to shoot down than the harpoon, but was still a good chance to impact
The Maverick (27 damage points) does not do as much damage as the Harpoon (60 damage points) which the F-18 carries.
I chose to arm the Strike Eagle with Mavericks because their range (13nm) meant they could fire from the very extreme of the Krestas air defences, whereas the Paveway could do more damage (72 or 55 damage points depending on type) but range was only 6.0nm.

Using my sample size of 1 (!), it was no comparison. The F-18 when attacking a surface target like this was better in every respect. It was impossible to shoot the Hornet down, it was highly probable the Hornets armament would strike the Kresta and do allot more damage than the Strike Eagle was able to do.

American aircraft carriers accomodate both F-18's and F-15's. Given the F-18 is such a better aircraft in the sea attack role, what role does the F-15 play? The F-15E is almost a second rate fighter and second rate ground attack platform, so maybe its seen as an "all rounder" nowadays? The F-15 can carry up to 6 missiles so maybe its better suited to a ground attack role like (multiple) smaller target tanks, aircraft hangers and bunkers.

[CV32]

American aircraft carriers accomodate both F-18's and F-15's.

No, only the F/A-18 is a naval aviation platform.

Given the F-18 is such a better aircraft in the sea attack role, what role does the F-15 play? The F-15E is almost a second rate fighter and second rate ground attack platform, so maybe its seen as an "all rounder" nowadays? The F-15 can carry up to 6 missiles so maybe its better suited to a ground attack role like (multiple) smaller target tanks, aircraft hangers and bunkers.

The F-15E is a multi-role aircraft, with a heavy emphasis on strike. The basic intention being that it can carry out a strike mission without needing any fighter escort (it can defend itself). Its selling points are range, payload and sensors.

[kcdusk]

Yeahh, well there you go. I have no idea where i got the idea the F-15 was a naval platform. I've always thought it was a big plane to be on a carrier, but also clung to the misguided idea that it was.
Thanks CV.

[Warhorse64]

Yeahh, well there you go. I have no idea where i got the idea the F-15 was a naval platform. I've always thought it was a big plane to be on a carrier, but also clung to the misguided idea that it was.
Thanks CV.

In HCE, the F-15E is actually listed as carrier capable, probably so that it can fly off of the MOB platform. That may be where you got the idea.

[CV32]

In HCE, the F-15E is actually listed as carrier capable, probably so that it can fly off of the MOB platform.

That's exactly why, and if it weren't for keeping legacy scenarios workable, it would be gone, gone, gone.