In 1994, the USAF awarded a contract to McDonnell Douglas to explore the feasibility of adapting the F-15C to the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role–the so-called Wild Weasel mission that was at the time performed by the two-seat F-4G Phantom II. As part of the program, it was proposed that eight F-15C aircraft be converted to fire the AGM-88 HARM antiradiation missile. Additional avionics for the SEAD role would be provided in distinctive “cheek” fairings.
In 1996, F-15C 78-527 was tested with an extra outboard pylon capable of carrying the AGM-88 HARM missile.
However, the Air Force was skeptical about the feasiblity of a modified F-15C for the Wild Weasel mission, preferring a two-seat aircraft for this role. The aircraft that the USAF would REALLY like to have for the Wild Weasel role is a modified two-seat F-15E, but this is considered much too expensive an option in the current military drawdown environment. The USAF settled instead on an adaptation of the F-16 for the Wild Weasel mission, in light of Israeli success in using specially-adapted two-seat F-16s for air defense suppression missions. This was the F-16CJ Block 50/52D, which was adopted at the USAF’s standard SEAD Wild Weasel aircraft.
Sources:
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Air International, Airscene
- Boeing/McDonell Douglas F-15 Eagle Variant Briefing, John D. Gresham, World Air Power Journal, Vol 33, Summer 1998.
