Ceylal
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- After their Abrams, the F-15 S is down graded too...
- The F-15S (the Saudi Strike Eagle) is a slightly degraded version of the Strike Eagle. Although a very capable air-to-air and air-to-ground platform, it lacks those cutting edge avionicsand weaponry which make the Strike Eagle a world class strike fighter. The deliberate degradation of the jet's capabilities can be witnessed in most of the important aircraft systems.
Differences from the F-15E
Paint Scheme: The most apparent difference between the S and E models is their paint scheme. The E model has a one tone gunship grey color, while the S model uses a two-tone 'Mod Eagle' paint scheme.
Engines: The F-15S is equipped with Pratt&Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, the stronger one from the two P&W engine models used in the Strike Eagles.
Its radar, the APG-70S is based on the APG-70 radar of the Strike Eagle, but with its main features significantly downgraded. Radar bandwidth is 60% of the 'original' and only 16 channels are available instead of 32. Although the APG-70S has APG-70.
Navigation and Targeting Pods: LANTIRN pods are also degraded. Instead os using the 'standard' AAQ-13 navigation pod and AAQ-14 targeting pod, Saudi Arabia received 48 pairs of AAQ-19 'Pathfinder' navigation pods and AAQ-20 'Sharpshooter' targeting pods (use their original designation number and add 6 to them). The navigation pod is downgraded in its GBU-15 and GBU-24 smart bombs belong to the inventory of the Saudi version. Understandably, the F-15S does not have the wiring to be able to employ nuclear weapons. BRU-46/A and BRU-47/A weapon racks were initially lacking from F-15S delivered to Saudi Arabia, but this restriction was cleared later and 'normal' CFT's were delivered between 1998 and 2000.
F-15E.info: Strike Eagle reference and resources - F-15E.info - F-15S Differences
Saudi F15 being assembled in St Louis facility.