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Air Force reportedly gave the OK for F-15E model fighters to resume flying operations, after grounding the entire F-15 fleet earlier this month following the Nov. 2 crash of an Air National Guard F-15C. The Goldsboro (N.C.) News-Argus reports that USAF has lifted the grounding order for the E models, including those flown by the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. They were due to start flying again Wednesday, after a “short maintenance spin up,” Col. Steve Kwast, 4th FW commander, told the newspaper. The E model has a stronger airframe than the A-D models, since the Air Force developed the Strike Eagle specifically for air-to-ground missions. Initial reports from the accident investigation indicate the C model F-15 may have suffered a structural failure in flight.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.