URGENT UPDATE: The Air Force has launched a groundbreaking series of test flights at Grand Forks Air Force Base today, January 5, 1975, with plans to shatter multiple world time-to-climb records using the state-of-the-art F-15 “Streak Eagle”. This advanced tactical fighter is poised to surpass eight existing records, including five held by U.S. Phantoms and three by Soviet Foxbats.
In a thrilling demonstration, pilots took to the skies this morning, marking the beginning of a historic flight series. Major David W. Peterson piloted the impressive $7.5 million aircraft on an orientation flight, followed by Major W. R. (Mac) Macfarlane, who reported successful maneuvers that hinted at the aircraft’s capabilities. Although no official records were set today, officials confirmed that they already exceeded altitudes in less time than required for record attempts in three altitude categories (6, 9, and 12 thousand meters).
The F-15, renowned for its unmatched thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding one-to-one, offers remarkable performance, particularly in cold conditions. Grand Forks was selected for this critical testing due to the extreme cold, which enhances engine efficiency, allowing the F-15 to reach an astonishing 100,000 feet in record-breaking time. Today’s temperature at the base was a brisk 18 degrees Fahrenheit, with ideal conditions hovering around zero.
Major Macfarlane characterized the F-15 as “highly maneuverable,” likening its capabilities to those of “an exotic fuel dragster” compared to conventional aircraft. The test flights represent a continuation of a program initiated in July 1972 and are designed to evaluate the aircraft’s performance in high-altitude, low-speed scenarios.
Using a newly implemented hold-back device, which allows the two engines to operate at full power while secured on the runway, the F-15 achieved a takeoff speed of 130 mph, climbing at a dramatic angle of 60 degrees. The visual spectacle was described as a “launch,” with the aircraft soaring into the clear blue sky and leaving a striking vapor trail behind.
As anticipation builds, the official records will be targeted in upcoming flights, with the team preparing for climbs that will push the limits of both the pilots and the aircraft. The F-15’s next phases will focus on precise time-to-climb tests expected to reach altitudes of nearly 20 miles.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Air Force aims to make aviation history in the coming days. The world watches closely as these remarkable tests unfold, potentially reshaping the future of aerial combat and record-setting achievements.
