Conformal tanks for F-15C

[DaveRindner]

Those were available in 1980's F-15C.

 

Source

time stamp 43:12

 

Should conformal tanks for F-15C be a wish list item for ED?

I think so yes.

[Shadow KT]

Why ? I don't see why they are needed for an FC3 aircraft

[GGTharos]

No. Only used on the Icelandic birds AFAIK. Completely undesirable otherwise.

[Cake]

No. Only used on the Icelandic birds AFAIK. Completely undesirable otherwise.

 

The video was about aircraft (including F-15) based in Alaska.

[GGTharos]

Elmendorff birds are special too. They get all sorts of things to test (APG-63(V2), Link-16 terminals, etc).

 

I don't know if the CFT use was a check-out, typical use or what - the only typical use of CFTs that I'm aware of was the Iceland eagles. It doesn't mean it didn't happen anywhere else, but generally not desirable.

[Shadow KT]

You just extra fuel which you don't really need and increased drag

[FUgaijin]

You just extra fuel which you don't really need and increased drag

 

Im guessing the drag is minimal even more so when compared to all the hard points with stores hanging off. Probably just testing them for the E model anyways or they really need the extra ~11,000 lbs of fuel.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

I wouldn't mind CFTs if we ever get a full-fidelity F-15, but for FC3 I don't see the point.

[razo+r]

I don't see the point in CFTs when we can put on 3 bags and never use the tanker anyway :P

[pyromaniac4002]

I don't see the point in CFTs when we can put on 3 bags and never use the tanker anyway :P

 

The point is to not put on 3 bags. Sometimes you wanna have extra flight time but don't want to give your F-15 the aerodynamic drag characteristics of the broad side of a barn.

 

Would obviously be a nice thing to have as an option and CFT-equipped F-15Cs do exist out there in the world, so putting it on a "wish list" is totally appropriate. If there's ever a full-fidelity F-15C module I would be more insistent that they are included, but the generally dumbed-down state of FC3 modules definitely makes it justifiable to leave out.

[GGTharos]

The equipment fits the mission. CFT equipped eagles with bags could go over the pole and visit Russia. If they put'em in, fine. If you put'em on on the current maps, I assume a 5 hour loiter :)

Edited March 7, 2018 by GGTharos

[Shadow KT]

Well, having CFT does ruin your aerodynamic characteristics, so does drop tanks (more than CFT).

 

Here come the differences... if you finish your extra fuel or you get engaged, you can drop your fuel tanks and have the maximum performance, but you cannot drop CFTs.

 

There are scenarios, which would benefit CFTs, as Tharos said "The equipment fits the mission"

 

For DCS now and FC3, I don't see a scenario in which you would really say I wish I had those CFTs....

 

But at the end of the day, if they do add them, they have the spare time, I am not going to complain about it

[SinusoidDelta]

Interesting thst so many people want to prevent CFTs from being added as an OPTION. We have so many things in DCS which are not "needed", like NACTS pods, two types of 2.75" LAU launchers, half a dozen training and smoke warhead rockets, penetrator variants of GBU-31s for the A-10C, two types of non-functional ECM pods, etc..

 

But I use most of those things because I like simulating things as I see fit. I don't complain that we can put "Smokewinders" on an A-10...i just don't use it.

 

Why shouldn't CFTs be an option? Who cares if they were only used in specific circumstances? A-10s don't routinely drop penetrators or use smoke generators, but we have those.

 

I think having CFTs would be cool, and a realistic alternative to carrying three bags.

 

I’m all for the option. IMO CFT’s wouldn’t be a simple addition however and would require a number of specific changes to the flight model. Considering the F-15 is an FC3 module makes it very unlikely (again IMHO) we’ll see any new features added.

[draconus]

Do CFTs change handling characteristics above and beyond adding weight and drag? Seems like they could be added just like any other weapon or pylon.

Not that much, really, but the a/c have to be prepared/upgraded to install them and they cannot be jettisoned during flight. They can have however additional weapon hardpoints like for AMRAAMs.

I stumbled accross this article today (lots of guessing):

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/18259/its-back-to-the-future-for-u-s-f-15c-eagles-and-conformal-fuel-tanks

[GGTharos]

They may alter the CG due to fuel flow speed.

 

Do CFTs change handling characteristics above and beyond adding weight and drag? Seems like they could be added just like any other weapon or pylon.

[Sweep]

They can have however additional weapon hardpoints like for AMRAAMs.

 

AFAIK it's only the recent CFT-additions that have extra pylons. The old ones didn't. From the same article:

 

 

[SinusoidDelta]

Do CFTs change handling characteristics above and beyond adding weight and drag? Seems like they could be added just like any other weapon or pylon.

 

It probably wouldn’t be any different than programming any other store now that I think about it.

[SinusoidDelta]

AFAIK it's only the recent CFT-additions that have extra pylons. The old ones didn't. From the same article:

 

 

 

I think the CFT’s were available with or without hard points

Source

Edited March 8, 2018 by SinusoidDelta

[SkateZilla]

in this case, Fast Pack Program was more of a Export Program, and Even then, it was never really used

 

USAF Never Really got into it, the -Es and a Majority of the Exports have the CFTs and Stuff, but I dont think they swap them for Missions, instead they use the External SNIPER Pods and stuff.

 

The USAF wants to upgrade their F-15C/Ds with CFTs to Enable Range and more Weapons, specifically for ANG.

 

Whether or not that gets approved I dont know, and it doesnt matter as the FC3 F-15C is of an older Block, waaaaay older.

[Shadow KT]

 

Why shouldn't CFTs be an option?

 

Who said that they shouldn't be an option ? The closest post to what you are saying is that they are not needed, and of low interest

 

Just the resources of making them for a such a module (FC3) can be used elsewhere, especially with 2.5 coming out of BETA ans so many modules on their way.

 

It just not a necessity, in my eyes, but as I already said, if they make them and put them in, no harm, only a bonus

Edited March 9, 2018 by Shadow KT

[BlacleyCole]

I remember when we got them in ai they were great for the pilots they loved them but until we got the kinks worked out they were a pain. They learned to install and forget as they were not as interchangeable as designed. So once a pair were fitted to an airframe they rarely got installed on a different aircraft. The thing about the side tanks vs the drop tanks is they don’t have the drag and restrictions on monuverours as a drop tank the drop tank was designed to get the plane to the fight be dropped the the fighter can fight and head home whereas the side tanks allowed the fighter to fight with the tanks attached and the refill after the fight so that allowed them to fight longer.

[discwalker]

At least fuel quantity indicator needed no upgrade for CFT

 

Whether or not that gets approved I dont know, and it doesnt matter as the FC3 F-15C is of an older Block, waaaaay older.

 

(In FC2 there was no CFT option on Fuel QTY indication.

)

[Popequation24]

Worked F15 avionics in Iceland (92-93). CFTs actually add lift. When they are installed a pin is grounded that adds a -1.5 degree pitch down command on the flight control system. I never heard our pilots mention the disadvantage of CFTs vs a regular C model. FWIW....the DCS cockpit is spot on and takes me back to my USAF days every time I play it.

[Woogey]

Langley Fast Packs

 

It wasn’t just Iceland and Alaska that got Fast Packs (Conformal Tanks)

[JUICE-AWG]

No. Only used on the Icelandic birds AFAIK. Completely undesirable otherwise.

Yes, they were only considered for intercept aircraft in a remote region with few alternate landing fields...and they enabled Air Defense Command Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) Jets to burner out to ID the bad dudes without running out of fuel so fast. And they were adapted and designed into the Strike Eagle airframe, but the A/B/C/D Model Eagle Maintainers had a difficult time accessing parts of the airplane with the conformal tanks on. The Fastpacks eventually faded away from the Eagles and they remained part of the Strike Eagle Design. It looks like the new F-15EX will have them but that's another new beast in itself!

https://www.boeing.com/defense/f-15ex/

Edited March 17, 2020 by =JUICE=