The F-15 S/MTD (Short Takeoff and Landing/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator) is an experimental maneuver technology demonstrator employed by NASA and built off of an F-15B Eagle airframe, initially used to test advancements in super-maneuverability and short takeoff and landing technologies.
Description
Initially funded as a military experiment, the F-15 S/MTD was eventually aquisitioned by NASA and modified with multi-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles and ACTIVE (Advanced Control Technology for Integrated Vehicles) technologies, meant to improve aircraft control and survivability in combat. The aircraft was easily capable of pulling Pugachev's Cobra maneuver, and in its S/MTD form, was equipped with thrust reversers, able to slow the aircraft down in a fraction of the time compared to conventionally equipped fighters. It managed a rotation speed of just 42 mph, and could land on a runway only a fraction the size of that required by the F-15C Eagle. By 1991 the project had ended in its S/MTD form and was deemed a success, and the technologies pioneered in the program would eventually be adapted to serve with the joint US/German X-31 program, and ultimately the F-22 Raptor program and its offshoot contemporaries.
The F-15S/MT (sometimes omitting the "D"), in its numerous Ace Combat incarnations, has only just recently received a consistent design. In Ace Combat 2, a unique variant christened "F-15S" (not to be confused with the real-life F-15S, which is the Saudi version of the F-15E Strike Eagle), looking to incorporate low-observable structures (Raptor-style engine nozzles, rounded off forward fuselage, modified wing and tail section) and a single-seat cockpit was used. Ace Combat 3's variant, the "F-15 S/MT Eagle+" incorporated a single-seat COFFIN, redesigned canards, and traditional rounded nozzles by its F-15C and F-15E, omitting the aircraft's signature thrust vector control. In Ace Combat 04, a single-seat variant of the S/MTD was used, known only as the F-15 ACTIVE (despite not incorporating the design features of the actual ACTIVE variant) but otherwise stayed faithful to the S/MTD's design. Following Ace Combat 04, each successor game has depicted the S/MTD with its traditional dual seat.
According to the descriptions of the F-15 S/MTD in the hangar in Ace Combat 5 and Ace Combat Zero, the aircraft supposedly did so well in testing that the sole prototype was deployed during the Gulf War in 1991, but further research is needed to substantiate these claims.
F-15 S/MT Eagle+
It is produced and operated by General Resource LTD and designated the F-15 S/MT Eagle+. While this variant does not have Thrust Vectoring Technology, it does have increased maneuverability thanks to it's new reinforced airframe, more powerful engines, COFFIN system and advanced Canards. These modifications give the old F-15 S/MTD the ability to keep up with the next generation of aircraft in 2045. Despite it's age the Eagle is still one of the most respected and capable aircraft flying during 2045.
The weight is the same as a fully loaded F-15E Strike Eagle (Max take off weight). This is presumably because the F-15 S/MT Eagle+ was used for long range/long loiter time patrol missions thus the need for a large fuel load. Also this airframe can take the role of an attack aircraft thanks to its excellent load out capabilities and the ability of the airframe to sustain more damage as compared to the F-16 series. Engines were supposedly upgraded to provide the 1382km/h advantage over the standard Strike Eagle to help in interception and long range penetration duties.
Two top GRDF aces, Abyssal Dision and Keith Bryan flew F-15 S/MT+s in 2045 and saw great success in the war.
Aces
- Z.O.E. General (URF/AC2)
- Halley (FEAF/AC4)
- 229th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Grabacr" (BAF/AC5)
- 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron "Sorcerer" (OADF/ACZ)
- Habicht (BAF/ACZ)
- Wuerger (BAF/ACZ)
- Michael Heimeroth "Ofnir" (BAF/ACZ)
- Comet (LAF/ACX)
- Kelpie (Golden Axe Plan Private Army/ACX2)
- Abyssal Dision (Valahia/ACX2)
Weapons
Standard Weapons
- Gun: 1x 20mm M61A1 Vulcan Cannon (Removed in real life)
- Missile: 2x AIM-9M Sidewinder
Special Weapons
- FAEB: BLU-73/B (AC04/ACZ/ACX)
- XLAA: Unknown Fictional Missile (AC5/ACZ/ACX)
- SOD: AGM-154 JSOW (ACZ/ACX)
Stats
Ace Combat 2
Ace Combat 04
- Speed: 80
- Mobility: 99
- Stability: 85
- Defense: 80
- Air-to-air: 85
- Air-to-ground: 65
Ace Combat 5/Zero
- Speed: 83
- Mobility: 89
- Stability: 81
- Defense: 66
- Air-to-Air: 94
- Air-to-Ground: 58
Ace Combat X
- Speed: 78
- Air-to-Air: 84
- Air-to-Ground: 48
- Mobility: 84
- Stability: 72
- Defense: 60
Gallery
F-15 S/MTD w/ 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (Mercenary) paint scheme.
Michael Heimeroth's F-15S/MTD.
Sources:
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