OK aircraft experts.....The F-15E Strike Eagle vs the F-18F Super Hornet

bondoman wrote:

And it's capable of operating as a tanker and an ECM platform

I forgot about that......good one.

Yes, when the F-15E can launch from an aircraft carrier and refuel another F-15E launched from the same carrier, then you can say it is more versatile than the F/A-18F.

What makes it more versatile then Dave? All things considered I do not see how it is more versatile.

It's ability to launch from, and land on an aircraft carrier.

HawkeyeHobbies wrote:

They are both built by the same company so why argue. Both have multirole capabilities, the F-15 has more A-A kills and has probably dropped more tonnage in combat since its inception. The F-18 likes it low and fast whereas the F-15 prefers to fly high and fast. In the middle they are close to equal.   Lets not forget, it isn't just the aircrafts performance that counts, but the Mk I pilot in the seat flying it. All of those who fly either are damn good or they wouldn't be doing so.

True Gerald but the question was one of versatility not pilot skill. 

I like the F-18 Super Bug a lot but the F-15E Strike Eagle is still my favorite and I think this debate proves part of why I love it so much. It is arguably the best fighter in the U.S. arsenal and that is not just my opinion, that is the opinion of many experts. 

berny13 wrote:

In the air to air roll, the F-15E will eat the F-18F for lunch.  In the air to ground roll, both are pretty equal.  The F-15E can carry more of a payload and carry it a longer distance.  The F-18F is short legged and is limited to how far it can fly.  It can increase its range by reducing its bomb load. The F-15 has almost twice the range as the Super Bug carrying a compatable load.

Exactly my feelings Berny. Thanks for confirming that. 

They are both built by the same company so why argue. Both have multirole capabilities, the F-15 has more A-A kills and has probably dropped more tonnage in combat since its inception. The F-18 likes it low and fast whereas the F-15 prefers to fly high and fast. In the middle they are close to equal.

Lets not forget, it isn't just the aircrafts performance that counts, but the Mk I pilot in the seat flying it. All of those who fly either are damn good or they wouldn't be doing so.

Dave Roof wrote:

Yes, but you are confusing 'versatility' with 'capability' All points considered, the F/A-18 is more versatile......which is what the originator of this thread said was the issue at hand during his discussion.

What makes it more versatile then Dave? All things considered I do not see how it is more versatile. How am I confusing capability with versatility? I don't see the relation. 

Both are capable aircraft but all things considered I still say the F-15E is more versatile as it excels in all the categories I listed except for maybe radar which I am not sure of. 

Just because the F-18F has seen action that included more roles in one mission than the F-15E may have that does not preclude that it is more versatile. It only shows that it had a chance to prove it's own versatility, not that it is superior to the versatility of the F-15E.

Yes, but you are confusing 'versatility' with 'capability'

All points considered, the F/A-18 is more versatile......which is what the originator of this thread said was the issue at hand during his discussion.

Strike Eagle - all day long / hands down / no questions.

While the Strike Eagle may be a air superiority fighter modified into a ground attack / strike fighter, it is still a superior aircraft to the "multi role" Super Hornet.

The F-15 was designed with the ethos of being the best of it type & was for a long time the superior air superiority fighter - it still maintains 99% of this capability, with additional strike capability.

On performance the F-15E eats the F-18F with much more power & larger wing area, although the F-18F does have the flexibility of operating from carriers!

I am not sure on the tight in / dogfight performance comparison of these aircraft, the F-15 has the power & flying surface, but the F-18F may suffer less from  AOA limitations ??

I am also not sure on the radar fit, the APG-79 as fitted to the latter F-18F is more advanced than the APG-70 of the F-15E, but is apparently suffering from some pretty serious software issues - which I suppose time will sort out though ??

The F-15E is still the horse I would be choosing to ride though. 

Dave Roof wrote:

This is one of those debates that could get 100 different opinions from 100 different people. I will say this though: The F/A-18 can and has engaged, then shot down another aircraft, and dropped bombs on a target all on the same mission. The F-15 has yet to accomplish this........so yes, the F/A-18 can 'technically' be said to be the more versatile of the two, especially when you take into consideration the actual meaning of the word "versatile".

So a Strike Eagle has never done this?

This is one of those debates that could get 100 different opinions from 100 different people.

I will say this though:

The F/A-18 can and has engaged, then shot down another aircraft, and dropped bombs on a target all on the same mission.

The F-15 has yet to accomplish this........so yes, the F/A-18 can 'technically' be said to be the more versatile of the two, especially when you take into consideration the actual meaning of the word "versatile".