Image source: topwar.ru
The US Air Force published photos of F-15E Strike Eagle fighters during aerial refueling, which caused a strong reaction among Western observers who expressed concern about the general condition of the machines: they show signs of wear on the fuselages of aircraft – spots, scuffs and darkening on various parts of the exterior skin.
As indicated in the Cavok publication, the F-15E is made exclusively of aluminum and titanium alloys, which do not rust as much as steel, and wear has affected the radio-absorbing coating, designed to reduce the visibility of the aircraft.
Image source: topwar.ru
Sources in the US Air Force explained that fighters regularly operate in extreme weather conditions, where factors such as high solar radiation, grains of sand and steam with salt contribute to the wear of external coatings. However, they noted that "the wear is purely cosmetic and does not affect the performance of the F-15E."
Image source: topwar.ru
According to the author, despite the intensive use of the F-15E, these fighters remain one of the most reliable platforms of American combat aviation. In 2024, the aircraft of this model overcame the mark of 15 thousand flight hours, and the new modification will have an expected life of 20 thousand hours.
