Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

I've been trying to figure out for a while why the F-15C/D doesn't ever use conformal fuel tanks. From what I've read it was a fairly big deal when it was designed that the C could carry FAST (Fuel And Sensor Tactical, later the sensors were ditched) packs.

Why don't they use them anymore? I know they're pretty much integral with the F-15E at this point (or they are treated as such). There's a thread I found on Airliners.net with pictures of C's with CFT's, but I've never seen them before today, but it still didn't answer my question.

F-16.net Sponsor

I don't know the answer to your question but I do recall seeing F-15s stationed in Iceland carrying them back in the day.

The Light-gray Eagles have FAST-Pack capability, but I'm guessing the lack of needing long-range strike missions, the USAF hasn't really needed their. Mudhens require airframe modifications to be flyable, Mudhens do fly longer-range missions--going to Downtown Baghdad in the middle of the First Gulf War might be an example.

Simply said, they were a PITA and they really weren't needed. Why fly with something you can't punch off and would cause drag, when you can punch your tanks going into the Sierra, and get out fast?

The 57th FIS was the only operational unit to regularly use CFTs. Now, only the Strike Eagles use them. They're actually put to good use on the Mudhen. The ordnance mounts directly to the CFTs, and thus, saves weight, and opens up two more wing stations for ordnance.

PT, the E models don't require any mods to fly. The aircraft was designed from the beginning to perform a different mission, so, below the surface, the E is actually a different airframe than the Cs and Ds. BTW, the E can also fly without CFTs, but in actual practice, this is rarely, if ever done.

Quote:

PT, the E models don't require any mods to fly. The aircraft was designed from the beginning to perform a different mission, so, below the surface, the E is actually a different airframe than the Cs and Ds. BTW, the E can also fly without CFTs, but in actual practice, this is rarely, if ever done.

Sorry about that--I meant to say that the E needs modifications to fly without the CFT Bang Head

If by modifications you mean dropping the CFT and then taking off Smile

Quote:

If by modifications you mean dropping the CFT and then taking off Smile

I thought one of the things that they did differently on the Mudhen was to make the CFT's almost integral to the plane--that's it, I'm sticking to the non-technical stuff

Therein lies the problem--I think too much.

Some years ago, I worked with an F-15C driver who said the CFTs leaked like a sieve and were a PITA to constantly remove to access panels for maintenance and the like.

TC, interesting point about not being able to punch the CFTs off. I hadn't considered that. Sort of like catching a Flanker loaded down with full internal tanks. I suppose the 57th's task of bomber trawling out in the middle of the North Atlantic wouldn't have required them to punch tanks too often.

Yet still, the Israelis seem to use their CFTs quite regularly - I guess they favor the fuel fraction.

Ski

It could possibly have something to do with Israel's typical close range combat. As soon as they're wheels up, they're within 60 miles of the enemy in practically any direction. I could see their reasoning for utilizing the CFTs as leaving a couple of extra wing stations open for ordnance, and still carry a decent amount of fuel. No need to worry about too much drag, as safety is just a short dash away.

You're correct Ski. If flying with drop tanks, you would not punch tanks unless you absolutely have to. In non-combat conditions, it isn't done, unless it is an IFE. Even in combat, planes come home with tanks, unless it is a necessity to punch them off.

Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

F-15 CFT's