Introducing the 32,000-hour F-15
By Stephen Trimble on November 23, 2011 12:24 PM | Permalink
A Boeing F-15C is rated for a 9,000h service life. An F-15E was designed with an 8,000h rating, which the USAF has already extended to 12,000h. Both types are supposed to be retired from USAF service by around 2030.
Don't bet on it.
With production of the Lockheed Martin F-22 capped at 187 fighters, and F-35 deliveries delayed and slowed, the US Air Force is investigating how much longer it can preserve the fleet of 414 F-15C/Ds fighters and F-15Es fighter-bombers.
The goals are to double the lifetime of the F-15C to 18,000h and quadruple the service life of the F-15E to 32,000h, Boeing told Flightglobal yesterday.