Boeing F-15 E1 takes off Dec. 18, 2014 from Lambert St. Louis International Airport for its ferry flight to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. The technology test bed is responsible for proving technologies and mission systems used in many aircraft today. The aircraft, built in 1986, returned after more than 1,500 flights and 2,500 hours as a flying test bed.

Leading-edge technology developed and demonstrated on F-15E1 are now part of the new Advanced F-15s coming off the production line. These advances have outpaced the F-15 E1 configuration.

The 2-hour, 33-minute flight to the Arizona desert went without incident. While the actual fate of the F-15E1 remains uncertain, there are a few scenarios being explored, including sale to an international customer, U.S. government agency purposes, or using the aircraft for parts.