A bit of history.
Spoiler
During the 1970s, the US understood the tactical importance of satellites and had to prepare for the possibility of space warfare. The US proposed a set of weapons that could be launched by standard fighter jets. Years of effort came down to what we know as the ASM-135 ASAT, an anti-satellite missile designed to be launched from a modified F-15 with the guidance of a ground base operator and then terminally home in on the target via the missile’s IR sensor. The F-15 was chosen due to its high thrust to weight ratio.
After two test launches, on September 13th 1985, Maj. Wilbert D. ‘‘Doug’’ Pearson Jr. flying his F-15A 76-0084 ‘‘Celestial Eagle’’, at an altitude of almost 12 kilometers, launched the ASM-135 ASAT missile and successfully shot down a Solwind P78-1 satellite flying at an altitude of 555 kilometres.
The Camouflage
Spoiler
We obviously won’t be getting the ASM-135 ASAT, but what about the camouflage? I think it would be a great piece of history to have in the game. The way I’d like it implemented would be a small event focused on tasks with the F-15A, tasks like ‘‘Destroy X number of enemy planes’’ etc. . September 2025 is the 40th anniversary of the Celestial Eagle’s flight, would be a great opportunity for such event.
The Celestial Eagle used the regular bi-tone grey camouflage of her time. The pilot’s name was later written right below the canopy. Roundels were on their usual spots but they were one of the low-visibility versions. The vertical stabilizer consisted of the base code ED (Edwards Air Force Base, California) and the Celestial Eagle’s serial number. Above these, there was the project’s insignia - a bald eagle striking down on a satellite, around which was a light blue circle with the words ‘‘ASAT EAGLE SATELLITE KILLER’’.
From one of the pictures below, it appears that the name of the Celestial Eagle was not written on the aircraft on the day the missile launch. I’d still put it on the in-game camouflage, though.
Note:
Spoiler
I apologize for the lack of actual pictures, the truth is I couldn’t find many from the day of the actual launch. The one above is probably the best out there. I will post some more at least a bit related pictures below and source them. If anyone of you possesses more pictures of the Celestial Eagle as she was on the day of the missile’s launch, it would be great if you could share it with us.
Pictures:
Spoiler
A picture of Maj. Pearson with his F-15A. Appears to be taken on the day of the launch of the missile. Note the roundel.
Spoiler
A picture of another F-15A that was a part of the project. it gives us a much clearer look at the project’s insignia on the vertical stabilizer.
Spoiler
A picture of Celestial Eagle from 2007, at that time flown by the son of the retired Maj. Gen. Wilbert. D. Pearson Jr.
Spoiler
This is an image of a model of the Celestial Eagle. While I understand this can hardly be considered a source, it looks basically spot on and I really only put it here to let us have a bit better look at the details.
Sources:
Spoiler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10R8ciDBiv0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASM-135_ASAT
https://skytrailer.nl/f-15-asat/
https://skytrailer.nl/eagle-history/celestial-eagle/
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235087201-hasegawa-148th-f-15a-eagle-asat-hi-grade-series/
- Yes
- No
- As a drop from containers
- As a prize from a themed event
- As a normal unlockable camouflage
- I don’t want it