The newest version of Boeing's air superiority monster designated F-15SE or Silent Eagle made waves a few weeks back becoming the first F-15 to fire an AMRAAM in flight with no adverse effect on the performance of the aircraft. As you can see in the photos from Boeing the newest version of the F-15 is borrowing some of the tricks learned in other advanced aircraft and with this plane its weapons are tucked inside a newly designed Conformal Weapons Bay (CWB) instead of hanging underneath and flying dirty.
"I've been flying F-15s for more than 20 years, but this flight was different from all others," said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. "This first launch of an AMRAAM from the F-15's internal weapons bay opens a new era for the F-15 and for strike fighter capability in the dominance of the F-15 Eagle.
"The F-15, CWB and missile performed exactly as we predicted," Draeger continued. "The Silent Eagle continues the F-15's role as the most versatile strike fighter aircraft ever built."
These updates are not the only goodies that Boeing has been studying for future F-15's either. Lots of potential upgrades will be available if other nations choose to buy the F-15. Notice the slightly canted tails on the photo below. While it's not a 5th generation fighter its VERY close for much less.....
