Incredible moment F15 fires missile and blows opponent out of the sky 

This is the spectacular moment a US F15 fighter jet fires a missile and blows its target out of the sky above the Atlantic Ocean. 

US air force footage shows the cockpit of the F15-C Eagle fighter as the pilot unleashes a Sidewinder missile towards the drone before abruptly climbing away.

Then from another aircraft, the missile can be seen hitting and destroying its target, leaving sparks and debris in its wake as the launching aircraft passes by.

The pilots are part of the 493d Fighter Squadron, nicknamed ‘The Grim Reapers’, part of the United States Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk.

It was part of a live fire exercise in conjunction with QinetiQ, a UK-based multinational defense technology company aiming to provide more combat ready training 

This was the first time in four years that 48th Fighter Wing pilots have been able to participate in this type of training as live fire exercises usually involve the fighter squadrons deploying to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, to participate in Combat Hammer, which is a Weapons System Evaluation Program.

Captain Nathan Hartoin, 493rd Fighter Squadron chief of weapons and tactics, said: ‘This time, we were able to get academics from the Tyndall AFB personnel on how to safely execute the live missile shoot successfully.

‘Since we were able to execute the event from home station, we were able to accomplish a very important task while spending significantly less money.’ 

This is the incredible moment an F15 fighter jet fires a missile and blows its target out of the sky

Video footage shows a view of the cockpit of the F15-C Eagle fighter jet as it fires a Sidewinder missile towards its target over the Atlantic Ocean

From another aircraft, we are then shown the missile hitting its target and destroying it, leaving debris in its wake 

The missile was a training version of the AIM-9M Sidewinder, a short-range air-to-air missile which entered service with the US Navy in 1956 and subsequently was adopted by the US Air Force in 1964

During the event, aircraft carried modified AIM-9M infrared-guided missiles fired at flare packs being towed 300 feet behind the drone.

Airmen converted the AIM-9M missiles to NATM-9M, or Special Air Training Missiles, by replacing the tactical warhead with an inert warhead, and modifying the rocket motor.

Captain Hartoin added: ‘Firing a missile gives the pilot the sense of how quickly the interaction takes place and presents a realistic sense of capability’ 

‘It is very important to get this practice in a peacetime environment to ensure full capability during a wartime setting.’

According to Capt. John Bynum, 493rd FS electronic combat pilot, the training gives fighter squadrons in the United States Air Forces in Europe, an opportunity to test live missiles.

He said: ‘You get real-world experience with live missiles, from the ground to the range,” said Capt. John Bynum, 493rd FS electronic combat pilot.

‘From pre-flight checks to pressing the button and seeing the missile smoke the target, that experience can’t be completely replicated with inert captive air training munitions.’ 

From another aircraft, we are then shown the missile hitting its target and destroying it, leaving debris in its wake

The F-15C is among the most successful fighter jets in production today, with no losses in aerial combat.

The aircraft is predominantly used by the US Air Force as well as the air forces of Saudi Arabia, Israel and Japan. 

A 493rd Fighter Squadron F-15C is pictured heading out to the exercise over the Atlantic Ocean

Aircraft assigned to the Lakenheath-based 494th Fighter Squadron on the flight line at Tyndall AFB, for the Combat Archer 19-8 exercise

According to Lt. Col. Anthony May, 493rd Fighter Squadron commander, live air-to-air weapons employment in the European theatre is vital to maintaining operational readiness and strategic messaging. 

‘This type of experience provides a deterrent effect to potential adversaries by outwardly exhibiting readiness,’ said May. ‘It demonstrates the Liberty Wing’s commitment to allies, showing the capability to deliver air superiority across Europe.’ 

The event was carried out by the 493d Fighter Squadron, nicknamed’The Grim Reapers’, part of the United States Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing located at RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk.

The 493d provides air-to-air offensive and defensive support for US and NATO operations.