By 2002, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was the U.S. Air Force’s premier fighter, and more than 1,500 were in operational service. The F-15E Strike Eagle, first delivered in 1988, is among the world’s most technologically advanced tactical aircraft. The F-15E is able to fly higher than 50,000 feet at more than Mach 2.5. Agreements with the U.S. Air Force are slated to keep the F-15E in production through 2004.