Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Boeing F-15QA Ababil is an upgraded version of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle for the Qatar Emiri Air Force. Boeing flew four F-15QA's from its St Louis facility to the UK: two for aerobatic displays, one for static display and one as a spare. They initially flew to RAF Lakenheath, home of the US Air Force in Europe’s F-35/F-15 fighter wing before appearing at The Royal International Air Tattoo and the following weekends Farnborough Airshow. After the shows the four F-15QAs were flown on to their new home at Al Udeid Air Base by Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) pilots.
Boeing displayed one aircraft flying ‘clean’ and one flying ‘dirty’, loaded with 12 captive air training missiles (CATMs) – to demonstrate the Advanced Eagle’s agility even when fully loaded with weapons.
Following arrival on Wednesday 17 July both display aircraft and crews conducted a rehearsal display the following day.
On Friday and Sunday of the show Boeing test pilot Matt ‘Phat’ Giese flew this ‘dirty’ demo, with Michael ‘Houdini’ Quintini as the WSO.
On Saturday of the show Boeing test pilot Jason ‘Mongoose’ Dotter flew the ‘clean’ display, with Kevin ‘Claw’ Tinsley on board in the weapon system officer (WSO) role.
The F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) is the direct predecessor of the F-15EX, a further development of the Advanced Eagle for the Qatari Emiri Air Force with an improved cockpit with large area display (LAD) and ADCP II mission computer.
The F-15QA has AN/APG-82(V)1 radar, DEWS, CMWS, and AN/AAS-42 IRST. In June 2017, Qatar signed a deal to buy 36 F-15QAs for US$12 billion (~$14.7 billion in 2023) which included weapons, support, equipment, and training, with up to 72 aircraft approved by the U.S. State Department.
On 22 June 2021, Boeing announced that it would integrate an Elbit Systems anti-jamming systems into the F-15QA, allowing it to fly into heavy electromagnetic interference environments uninterrupted.
At the time of this display the Qatar Emiri Air Force was equipped with 33 F-15QA Ababil's, but following delivery of this aircraft and another 3 after the show, there are now 37 in Qatari service.
'Ababil' - In Muslim belief mentioned in Surah Al-Fil of the holy Islamic book Quran , Ababil are miraculous birds that protected the Kaaba in Mecca from the Aksumite elephant army of Abraha. The birds dropped clay stones on the army as they approached.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
The Boeing F-15QA Ababil is an upgraded version of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle for the Qatar Emiri Air Force. Boeing flew four F-15QA's from its St Louis facility to the UK: two for aerobatic displays, one for static display and one as a spare. They initially flew to RAF Lakenheath, home of the US Air Force in Europe’s F-35/F-15 fighter wing before appearing at The Royal International Air Tattoo and the following weekends Farnborough Airshow. After the shows the four F-15QAs were flown on to their new home at Al Udeid Air Base by Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) pilots.
Boeing displayed one aircraft flying ‘clean’ and one flying ‘dirty’, loaded with 12 captive air training missiles (CATMs) – to demonstrate the Advanced Eagle’s agility even when fully loaded with weapons.
Following arrival on Wednesday 17 July both display aircraft and crews conducted a rehearsal display the following day.
On Friday and Sunday of the show Boeing test pilot Matt ‘Phat’ Giese flew this ‘dirty’ demo, with Michael ‘Houdini’ Quintini as the WSO.
On Saturday of the show Boeing test pilot Jason ‘Mongoose’ Dotter flew the ‘clean’ display, with Kevin ‘Claw’ Tinsley on board in the weapon system officer (WSO) role.
The F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) is the direct predecessor of the F-15EX, a further development of the Advanced Eagle for the Qatari Emiri Air Force with an improved cockpit with large area display (LAD) and ADCP II mission computer.
The F-15QA has AN/APG-82(V)1 radar, DEWS, CMWS, and AN/AAS-42 IRST. In June 2017, Qatar signed a deal to buy 36 F-15QAs for US$12 billion (~$14.7 billion in 2023) which included weapons, support, equipment, and training, with up to 72 aircraft approved by the U.S. State Department.
On 22 June 2021, Boeing announced that it would integrate an Elbit Systems anti-jamming systems into the F-15QA, allowing it to fly into heavy electromagnetic interference environments uninterrupted.
At the time of this display the Qatar Emiri Air Force was equipped with 33 F-15QA Ababil's, but following delivery of this aircraft and another 3 after the show, there are now 37 in Qatari service.
'Ababil' - In Muslim belief mentioned in Surah Al-Fil of the holy Islamic book Quran , Ababil are miraculous birds that protected the Kaaba in Mecca from the Aksumite elephant army of Abraha. The birds dropped clay stones on the army as they approached.
This Video and Audio content is
Copyright © StephenKeeler (HightFlight/SkyHighFlightTV) All Rights Reserved
