20 Cold War-Era Warplanes of the U.S. Air Force

F-15E Strike Eagle

In the early 1980s, the Air Force wanted an advanced fighter to replace the F-111 Aardvark for conducting deep strike missions without the need of a fighter escort or accompanying electronic warfare planes. McDonnell Douglas’ submission was the F-15E Strike Eagle, a two-seat version of the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. Loaded down with high-tech sensors, radars, and jamming equipment, the two-seat Strike Eagle could fight its way in, attack a ground target, and fight its way out. “Mudhens” have been hitting high value targets since their combat debut during Operation DESERT STORM, and reportedly a one-seat version of the F-15E may be in the works to replace the Air Force’s aging F-15C and D models.