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Hello! Today I will introduce the Pre-MSIP version of the F-15Js!
Short History
In 1975 the Japanese MoD examined the U.S F-15 as a potential candidate to replace the aging F-104J and F-4EJ aircraft in service with the JASDF. A F-15C was evaluated at Edwards air force base and in December of 1975 the F-15 was picked as the winner. The purchase of the F-15 was further strengthened when in 1976 Viktor Belenko defected to Japan where ground radar stations spotted the MIG-25 but due to bad weather and lack of stronger radars lost the MIG-25, even worse F-4EJs sent to intercept failed to locate the MIG-25 due to lack of PD radar which did not let it have good look down performance, after the incident the need for a more advanced fighter with stronger radar was now a priority something that the F-15 provided so by 1978 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was designated as the contractor and licensing was provided for the F-15C/D. In 1980 the first F-15J which was built in St. Louis made its maiden flight and sent to Japan and by 1984 F-15Js began replacing the F-104J. As of 2023 there are still some Pre-MSIP F-15Js that have not received MSIP upgrades and are now being replaced by F-35As.
The F-15J pre-msips are basically early U.S F-15Cs with a few equipment not provided and replaced with domestics ones such as including the J/APR-4 radar warning receiver, AN/ALE-45(J) chaff and flare dispensers, and J/ASW-10 BADGE automatic warning and control organization data-link system, and the J/ALQ-8 Electronic Countermeasure suite, other then that they are almost identical.
In Game
In War Thunder the pre-msip version will most likely be the first F-15J that is added for Japan. In terms of armament it is identical to the F-4EJ Kai with it too being able to use AAM-3. Performance, radar, maneuverability will be superior to the F-4EJ Kai and would be a much more deadly aircraft which should come with other nations counters.
Specifications
Spoiler
General characteristics :
Crew: 1
Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)
Height: 18 ft 4 in (5.6 m)
Empty weight: 28,601 lb (12,973 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 68,002 lb (30,845 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Ishikawajima-Harima F100-IHI-100 afterburning turbofan, 14,370 lbf (63.9 kN) thrust dry, 23,450 lbf (104.3 kN) with afterburner each
Performance:
Maximum speed: 2,511 km/h (1,560 mph) at 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
Range: 2,800 km (1,740 mi)
Service ceiling: 17,944 m (58,870 ft)
Rate of climb: 341 m/s (67,050 ft/min)
Armament:
- 1x 20 mm JM61A1 with 940 rounds total
- 500 lb Mk.82 bombs
- 500 lb GCS-1 infrared guided bombs
- 950 lb CBU-87/B cluster bombs
- 4x AIM-9L Sidewinder infrared air-to-air missiles
- 4x AAM-3 infrared air-to-air missiles
- 4x AIM-7F/M Sparrow semi-active radar missiles
Other:
AN/APG-63 Radar (160 km (99 mi) max scope range)
J/APR-4 Radar Warning Receiver
AN/ALE-45(J) chaff & flare dispenser
AN/ALQ-131 ECM pod
Sources