The Strike Eagle has fixed-geometry, 45 degree swept wings, which are shoulder-mounted. They are aligned at an aspect ratio of 3, their span is 42 feet. The 609 sqft wing surface is exceptionally large, resulting in a very low wing loading (an approximate measure of the lift/weight ratio per square metre of wing surface), which is a key factor for good turning performance and which makes the jet capable of operating at high speeds at the cost of limited fuel consumption. The wing loading value is around 56 pounds per square foot of effective lifting surface.

The F-15 wing was designed to be optimal for dogfighting at transonic and high subsonic speeds, spending over 10.000 hours in the wind tunnel until it reached its final form after over 800 analyzed versions (107 of which were actually tested in wind tunnel). The wingtip is somewhat unusually raked, this is the result of early F-15 flight testing - some wing buffeting could be cured this way only. The leading edges have a conical camber and there are no leading edge lift devices.

The wing, a NACA 64A airfoil section is turned out to be so efficient and strong that the later developed E-model retained exactly the same wing as of previous F-15 models. Its planned service life is 16.000 hours, which is a very good value considering the wear and tear it is facing, carrying heavy ordnance in a turbulent and dense air found at low altitudes the F-15E is designed to often operate in.

The wing itself is a fail-safe construction, comprised of a torque-box with integrally stiffened machined skins and conventionally machined ribs. The three main wing spars, the connecting bulkhead to the main wing spars are made of titanium, the rest of the wing structure is made of light alloys (instead of steel) to reduce structural weight. The three main wing spars attach to the four carry-through frames which run accross the central fuselage and which act as a heart of the aircraft structure. Note, that should one of these spars get severed, the aircraft would still be able to fly (although maneuvering is limited to practically nil).

Leading and trailing edges are of conventional light alloy rib and skin construction, while the wingtips are of aluminium honeycomb construction. No spoilers, trim tabs or anti-ice systems are fitted. Flaps (inboard) and ailerons (outboard) are of a honeycomb structure.

The wing houses anti-collision lights at the wingroot, two HF flush aerial panels on the leading edge, ECM antenna domes at the forward edge of the wingtip, navigation light just aft of the ECM antennae and electro-luminescent formation light strips along the wingtips. The inboard half of the wings contains inner fuel tanks with the piping to jettison fuel if necessary - fuel jettison outlets are located at the trailing edge of each wingtip.

Technical Data

Sources

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