The F-15 Strike Eagle is still one of the fastest planes in our inventory, despite entering service back in 1976. Having served the Air Force for nearly 42 years, this powerful twin turbine beast can reach speeds close to Mach 2.5! On August 21st of 2017, a trio of Strike Eagles used this speed to make an unusual intercept over the skies of Idaho. Although it wasn’t an enemy aircraft or missile, the intercept was quite memorable. Chasing the shadow of the moon during a total solar eclipse. Watch as the pilots intercept the shadow approaching their 6 o’clock. Then hand feed copious amounts of JP-8 to the after-burning engines. And try to keep up with the orbit speed of the moon plus the rotational speed of the Earth.
