The Plan to Extend F-15 Serviceability

The US Air Force is examining how it can extend the service duration of the veteran fighter aircraft.

The US Air Force’s new plan to "dramatically” extend the operational life of the veteran F-15 fighter aircraft is generating considerable interest within the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

The USAF began carrying out lethargy tests on its F-15 aircraft several years ago, across all of the air force's variants. These aircraft were designed for approximately 8,000 flight hours, but the USAF has aircraft that have already exceeded 10,000 hours.

The tests being conducted now are intended to allow for the continued use of the F-15 C and D, up to a limit of 18,000 hours, and to allow the use of the F-15 E up to a limit of 32,000 hours or equivalent stress, according to the calculations carried out for each aircraft according to the stress it endures.

The USAF, as well as the US aircraft producer Boeing, are inspecting which upgrades should be introduced into the aircraft’s systems so that they will be able to fly for many more years.