It depends on who you are and how you intend to fight.
Generally speaking, the F-15, especially the latter versions (like SE and SG), have F-18s for breakfast. F-15SE matches or exceeds the best F-18AH’s feature, RCS (“radar signature”) reduction. F-15SG has no RCS reduction, but otherwise crushes the F-18 AH.
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| Need 5,000 lb “bunker busters”? Then forget about the F-18! |
In general, F-15s, especially later versions (such as SE and SG) had his F-18 on board for breakfast. The F-15SE matches or exceeds the F-18AH's hallmark RCS (“radar signature”) reduction. The F-15SG has no RCS reduction, instead he destroys the F-18 AH.
The F-15 has a bigger (and better) radar, more engine power, and more fuel - all of which are faster than the F-18 on most if not all profiles. , which means you can fly farther. A larger payload on top of that.
Where did the Super Hornet beat the Eagle? Carrier compatibility and cost.
This may seem trivial compared to the Eagle's prowess, but don't be fooled. His F-18 in flight sweeps the floor with his F-15 on the ground. Also, if your only airbase option is a carrier, the F-15 is useless without heavy tanker support.
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| The F-18 Advanced Super Hornet (AH) takes the F-18E/F to the next level, by giving it the CFT |
I've said it elsewhere, but I'll repeat it here. A fighter/bomber is just one of his tools in a box. Military Operations is not a video game. All you have to do is fly your fighter plane into the battle zone, shoot down enemy fighter planes, and blow up enemy buildings.
Military operations involve many assets and other personnel, as well as many indirect considerations (political, economic, etc.). These "indirect considerations" can often jeopardize sound military operations to the point of being infeasible or unwinnable.
Logistics is also the most serious problem. The best fighter jets in the world are just very expensive paperweights if they can't provide the fuel, weapons and maintenance they need. Win or lose more battles with effective tactical planning, better training and better equipment!
War is not like chatting with friends, it's hell. Kindergarten-like Justice - If you can stay within the law and still kill your enemies before you know they're there, you definitely will.
Skip the fight on the enemy's terms if possible, force the fight on yourself if possible, and narrow down all the advantages you can muster against the enemy if you have no choice but to fight.
Who are you?
If you are her USAF (or a major US ally), you are offered an F-15. Take it if you can afford it. Simple as that.
While the United States has provided the F-18E to several countries (and the AH to several as they become available), they have not provided the F-15 to more than a handful of people. is understandable, but it's still a high-end fighter and can even carry the latest US fighter jets.
So depending on who you are, you can't even afford to consider the F-15.
But... do you own or intend to own an aircraft carrier? If so, you should seriously consider the F-18 because the F-15 will never land on one (or the US to have both).
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| No F-15 for you, carrier! |
How are you going to fight
Do you intend to increase the movement tempo (high intensity movement)? Since the F-15 is difficult to keep in the air, it would be better to have a serious support capability.
What about tanker planes? How many do you have and how close to the battlefield can you operate it? The F-15 has a longer range, but you can't operate it from a carrier, so that's another consideration.
Depending solely on range and tanker considerations, you may find yourself forced to rely on the F-15 or F-18. If you can afford both options, choose the F-15.
Last but not least, there are some weapons that the F-15 can use that he cannot, such as the 5,000-pound "Bunker Destroyer" bomb. Be the luxury of choice.
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| The F-15SG is “just” a modernized F-15E. This means that it can have most of the niceties of the F-15SE, except the (arguably) most important, RCS reduction. It still is a badass, though! |
What about air combat?
That said, both planes excel in aerial combat and can take out most enemies in close proximity. Of course, the F-15 puts more pressure on logistics and this has to be taken into account as well.
If 1v1, both fly above the neutral zone without AEW support, both wear the best air-to-air suits (i.e. many AIM-120Ds available), ROE (Rules of Engagement) , detecting an enemy complicates everything.
Both the F-18 AH and F-15SE have RCS mitigation capabilities, but are not stealthy enough to detect opponents as early as they are out of effective radar and missile range when they can fire. In this scenario, the F-18 AH does not have a significant advantage over her F-15SG. The F-15 can fly significantly faster and higher than the F-18 in most if not all flight regimes, and uses this kinematic advantage to support it and propel the missile further. Please note that
The F-18 AH may have an advantage over the F-15SG (the F-18 uses only internal weapons), but not over the F-15SE (both of which use only internal weapons). The SE has a better radar and may detect the F-18 earlier. When it comes to firing, the F-15 also has better kinematics, meaning it can fire missiles at longer ranges. If everyone put missiles offboard, the RCS' advantage would be severely compromised, and the F-18 would lose the advantage over her F-15.
Adopting the same scenario and confining it to visual identification, the F-18 has the advantage of being smaller and may take longer for the F-15 driver to visually identify. Once again, we can't forget the F-15's excellent kinematics.
When we talk about "knife fights in phone booths", the outcome is hard to predict, maybe as "acrobatic" as the F-18, but with more advantages, the F-15 bet. A powerful engine provides better acceleration.
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