Boeing F-15QA Ababil Confirmed for RIAT 2024 Flying Display
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) organisers have officially confirmed the inclusion of the Boeing F-15QA Ababil in the flying display for RIAT 2024. This announcement has generated significant excitement among aviation enthusiasts. The organisers expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “We’re so excited about this addition to the RIAT flying display, we couldn’t wait until Thursday!”
The Boeing F-15QA Ababil, operated by the Qatar Emiri Air Force, will be flown by Boeing test pilots, showcasing the aircraft’s formidable power and agility over the course of all three days of the event. This will be the first appearance of the F-15QA at RIAT and the first solo flying display by any F-15 variant at the event since 2007. The organisers extended their sincere thanks to Boeing for their sponsorship and support in making this display possible, noting, “A sincere thanks to our sponsors at Boeing for providing this display, which will likely be a highlight of this year’s event.”
They also assured attendees that more news is to come on Thursday, heightening the anticipation for this year’s show.
Qatari F-15QA
©Staff Sgt. Daniel Hernandez
The McDonnell Douglas F-15A (later C) Eagle, a large single-seat twin-engine air superiority fighter, was originally developed in the 1970s to replace the F-4 Phantom in the United States Air Force (USAF). This development was in response to the introduction of the Soviet MiG-25. Since its inception, the F-15 has established itself as a dominant force in air combat, credited with 104 air-to-air kills without a single loss. The F-15 was later developed into the F-15E Strike Eagle, a potent multi-role strike aircraft for the USAF, which has since served as the foundation for various bespoke export models for allied nations. Boeing’s latest advancement in this lineage is the F-15EX Eagle II, acquired by the USAF to replace many aging F-15C Eagles and to supplement the F-22 and F-35 fleets.
The F-15QA Ababil, ordered by the Qatar Emiri Air Force in 2017, is one of the most advanced F-15 variants ever produced, with a total of 34 aircraft to be built. The F-15QA incorporates more powerful engines, a digital fly-by-wire system, an advanced radar, and additional weapon pylons. The introduction of the fly-by-wire system has significantly enhanced the aircraft’s agility, enabling aerobatic maneuvers previously unattainable for the F-15, including the tail slide. The F-15QA also serves as the basis for the newest F-15s ordered by the USAF, the F-15EX Eagle II.
A pair of Qatari F-15QA
©The Boeing Company
Boeing will be providing the F-15QA to take part in the flying display at RIAT 2024. The flying display will include a pair of aircraft in Qatari Emiri Air Force colours, with each aircraft performing a solo display on different days of the show. The first aircraft will be configured ‘clean’ to show off the maximum performance of the aircraft, while the second will be configured in a combat configuration to demonstrate how little the aircraft’s performance is affected when carrying weapons. Both displays will be flown by Boeing test pilots.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we approach the event. RIAT 2024 promises to be an extraordinary celebration of aviation, with the Boeing F-15QA Ababil set to be a standout attraction.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the official RIAT website by clicking here.
