The F-15 Eagle is a fighter jet for air superiority that still holds relevance today. Nevertheless, one variation, known as the F-15SE Silent Eagle, did not succeed in gaining traction. Let’s explore what made it unique and why the Air Force declined to adopt it.

The F-15SE Silent Eagle aimed to integrate stealth technology into the F-15, which had already established itself as a successful fighter jet. This variation sought to bridge the gap between fourth and fifth-generation fighters, with the objective of evading detection in modern combat environments. Boeing intended to target the export market, which led to business being taken away from Lockheed Martin, who dominated the market with their F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft.

Despite the similarities to the F-15E Strike Eagle, the Silent Eagle had significant differences such as shaped fuel tanks and weapon bays to reduce the radar cross-section of the airframe. The Silent Eagle could carry several weapons, including air-to-air missiles, bombs, and even the Raytheon AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile, making it suitable for suppressing enemy air defenses.

Although the Silent Eagle offered several design improvements, it failed to persuade international buyers, who preferred the F-35 as a true fifth-generation stealth fighter. Countries such as South Korea, Israel, Canada, Japan, and Saudi Arabia chose the F-35 over the Silent Eagle, leading to its decline in popularity.

Despite this, the F-15 continues to evolve, and a new version known as the F-15EX is currently under development, incorporating many of the Silent Eagle’s innovations. In fact, the Air Force signed a $1.2 billion contract with Boeing to manufacture the F-15EX in July 2020, implying that the F-15EX has the potential to become a successful fighter jet where the Silent Eagle did not. With the lessons learned from the Silent Eagle, the F-15EX could carry on the legacy of the F-15 and serve as a valuable asset for the Air Force for many years to come.