What are F-15E Strike Eagles, the planes shot down in Operation Epic Fury

The F-15E Strike Eagle is one of the Air Force's fastest, most versatile aircraft, built for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat in all weather, day or night. The US Air Force deployed F-15Es during Operation Epic Fury to strike Iran's missile sites and drone bases.

On March 1, Kuwait's air defenses mistakenly shot down three F-15Es in a friendly-fire incident; all six crew ejected safely and the episode is under investigation. The F-15 family has been in US service for nearly 40 years. The first F-15A flew in 1972 and the first F-15Es were produced in 1988.

The Strike Eagle is the fastest crewed aircraft in the US Air Force, able to reach about 1,875 miles per hour (2.5 times the speed of sound). Twin Pratt & Whitney F100 engines, each producing over 23,000 pounds of thrust, give it a high thrust-to-weight ratio for vertical climbs and tight turns without sacrificing speed.

Kuwait

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