Designed originally starting in 1967, the McDonnell F-15 Eagle had one basic purpose: air superiority.
In total, more than 1,200 F-15s of all variations saw service with several countries; Saudi Arabia, Israel, Japan and others.
How could you not want to get in on this action — not the fastest by a long shot, but by far the most maneuverable aircraft in the skies.
The engine thrust is greater than the jet's weight, allowing it to accelerate even in steep climbs.
It could hit 30,000 feet in less than 60 seconds.
More importantly, the fixed wing shape and technology allowed it to bank tightly without losing air speed (this factors in later, during dogfights).
Its heads up display (HUD) was groundbreaking, especially when combined with radar that could automatically distinguish between targets and "clutter."
From the pilot's point of view, every time a new weapons system is selected, the HUD automatically updates, showing the pilot specified targeting information.
And American pilots, during the first Gulf War, would prove the Eagle's worth, shooting down 36 of the 39 total Iraqi aircraft losses.
The Iraqis, who were using Russian equivalents, like the Mig-25 Foxbats, found their faster, less maneuverable aircraft more useful to flee the fight.
In three days time, the dogfighting was over, and the F-15E variant, more suited for ground combat, started a bombing campaign.
A U.S. pilot was even able to knock an Iraqi helicopter out of the sky with a well placed ground bomb.
All told, the F-15 went 104-0 in dogfights, about half of which came from the success of Israeli pilots.
Despite heavy reliance on heat-seeking missiles and guided bombs, the F-15 still had one 20 mm 6 barreled Gatling canon.
F-15s used Sparrow, Sidewinders and the deadly AMRAAM missiles.
AMRAAM — Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile — a fire and forget medium range, 'beyond-sight' that was perfect for countering faster Russian MiG fighters.
Later in its career, the F-15 was so successful that the Air Force decided to test it in an anti-satellite campaign.
The idea was the the F-15 could act as the first stage of a satellite countermeasure, and a specially designed rocket, the second stage.
Russians could detect normal rockets fired from the ground, but an F-15 would get lost with all the other jets in flight, masking the strike.
Though successful at least once, planners ditched the program.
With so many F-15s built, around 1200 or so, the U.S. opened up shop, cutting deals with about a half dozen countries.
There's no question, with 9 variants, hundreds of kills, and no American defeats, the F-15 is one of the most successful fighter jets in U.S. history.
You've seen how the U.S. fights in the air ...
