Future still unknown for 158 grounded F-15s

[unhappycamper]

Fix them or retire them?
280 F-15 Eagles cleared to fly.


Future still unknown for 158 grounded F-15s
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 15, 2008 17:16:31 EST

A month after the Air Force cleared about two-thirds of its F-15 Eagles to resume flying on Jan. 9, 158 of the fighters — all models A through D — remain grounded as Air Force officials decide whether to fix or retire the jets.

Cleared to fly are 280 F-15s, scattered at 16 bases in the U.S. and overseas, according to the latest numbers from the Air Force.

Of the grounded jets, nine have cracks in support beams called longerons that reinforce the fuselage.

The remaining 149 grounded jets have longerons that were not manufactured to the original specifications. The problems include sections that are too thin or have rough surfaces — flaws that may lead to cracking.

Unaffected by the grounding are F-15E Strike Eagles, a bomber version of the F-15, several of which are flying sorties in Afghanistan. The E-models’ larger size and different design meant the jets didn’t have the longeron problems of the F-15’s air-to-air combat version.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_f15_update_080215w/