Article 14952 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: New Fighter Series--McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle (21 of 26)
Message-ID: <D4q492.Gwv@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: F-15N "Sea Eagle"
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Organization: AT&T
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 18:48:38 GMT
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During the development phase of the Eagle, the US Navy was instructed 
in July of 1971 to take a look at a possible navalized version of the 
Eagle, provisionally designated F-15N.  At that time, the Navy was 
perfectly happy with its Grumman F-14A Tomcat, which was then in its 
flight test phase, and was less than enthusiastic about a "Sea Eagle".  

The navalized F-15N was estimated to weigh some 2300 pounds 
more than the USAF F-15A.  The Navy was unhappy about the fact that 
the F-15N aircraft would be unable to carry or launch the AIM-54A 
Phoenix long-range missile.  Inclusion of this missile would have 
increased the weight even further.  Consequently, the F-15N proceeded 
no further than the concept stage.  

The US Senate briefly revived the carrier-based Eagle idea in March of 
1973.  However, the Navy decided instead to go with a mix of F-14 
Tomcats and F/A-18 Hornets, and the F-15N was never ordered.  

Sources:

   McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920, Volume II, Rene J.
   Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1990.

   Combat Aircraft F-15, Michael J. Gething and Paul Crickmore,
   Crescent Books, 1992.
   
   The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, 
   Orion, 1987.

   F-15 Eagle, Robert F. Dorr, World Airpower Journal, Volume 9,
   Summer 1992.



Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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