Boeing · Fighter / Attack · Israel · Modern (1992–2009)
Open in interactive gallery →See aircraft like this on the live radar →The F-15I Ra'am (Hebrew: Thunder) is Israel's version of the F-15E Strike Eagle and, alongside the F-16I Sufa, forms the backbone of Israeli Air Force long-range strike. Boeing (originally McDonnell Douglas) developed the aircraft from 1994 to 1998 under the IAF's 'Peace Fox V' programme, with first delivery on 19 January 1998. Roughly 25 F-15Is reached Israel between 1998 and 2003, and no other air arm operates the type.
Power comes from two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofans rated at 29,000 lbf each. Top speed is Mach 2.5, ferry range 4,450 km with conformal fuel tanks and drop tanks, service ceiling 18,300 m, and MTOW 36,741 kg. Three Israeli changes set the Ra'am apart from the parent F-15E: indigenous avionics including the Elbit DASH helmet-mounted display, Elta EL/L-8222 electronic-warfare suite and an IAI integrated mission computer; an Israeli weapons fit covering Python 5 and Derby air-to-air missiles, Spice and Popeye precision-guided bombs, and the Delilah air-launched cruise missile (range ~250 km); and airframe tweaks for desert conditions and long-range sortie profiles. The two-seat pilot-plus-WSO layout was retained because deep-strike workload exceeds what one crew can manage.
Ra'am squadrons specialise in deep strike and intelligence-driven raids. In Operation Orchard (2007), F-15Is escorted the F-16I package that destroyed Syria's Al-Kibar nuclear reactor. The type has flown repeated raids against Iranian proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen from 2013 onward, and has been heavily committed to the airstrike campaign since the Hamas war began in October 2023. During the April and October 2024 reprisals against Iran, F-15Is hit targets up to ~2,000 km from Israeli airspace — among the longest-range fighter strikes ever flown. The F-35I Adir has complemented the fleet with stealth penetration since 2016, while Israel has ordered roughly 25 new-build F-15IA aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2030, growing the Ra'am force to about 50 airframes.
The F-15I Ra'am is a special fighter jet used by Israel. "Ra'am" means "Thunder" in Hebrew. It is a powerful plane built for long, far-away missions. Israel worked with Boeing to design it just for their needs.
About 25 of these jets were made and delivered between 1998 and 2003. Only the Israeli Air Force flies the F-15I. It has two seats — one for the pilot and one for a weapons officer. Having two crew members helps on long, hard missions.
The Ra'am has two strong engines that push it to amazing speeds. It can fly faster than twice the speed of sound! It can also travel very far — its range is heavier than most fighters in the world to handle. The jet can reach targets over 4,000 kilometers away.
Israel added their own special tools to this jet. It has a smart helmet display, a mission computer, and a system to confuse enemy radar. It can also carry Israeli-made missiles and guided bombs.
The Ra'am has been used in real missions. In 2007, it flew in an operation called Operation Orchard. In 2024, it was used in strikes on Iran. It is one of Israel's most important and trusted jets.
Ra'am means "Thunder" in Hebrew. It is a fitting name for a fast and powerful jet. The Israeli Air Force gave it this bold name.
Long missions need a lot of work in the cockpit. One person flies the jet while the other handles weapons and systems. Two people working together makes the mission safer and smarter.
Israel added their own special equipment to the jet. It has an Israeli helmet display, a special radar-confusing system, and Israeli-made missiles. These changes make it perfect for Israel's missions.
Yes! It flew in Operation Orchard in 2007. It was also used in strikes on Iran in 2024. The Ra'am is one of Israel's most active and trusted jets.
Tel Aviv to Tehran is roughly 2,000 km — at the outer edge of an F-15I's combat radius even with conformal tanks and external fuel. Israel stretched that reach three ways. First, aerial refuelling: KC-707 and KC-46 tankers topped up the F-15I, F-16I and F-35I packages en route, often over the Mediterranean or through airspace negotiated with Jordan and Saudi Arabia (the October 2024 raids reportedly crossed Jordanian and Saudi-controlled airspace with at-least-tacit consent). Second, standoff weapons: rather than overflying Iran, the strike packages released Rocks ballistic missiles, Delilah cruise missiles and Sparrow / Blue Sparrow ALBMs from outside Iranian airspace, then turned for home. Third, stealth pairing: F-35I Adirs led the formations to suppress Iranian air-defence radars and SAM sites, letting the F-15Is and F-16Is work with reduced exposure.