1. Takeoff: An F-15 Eagle typically starts its takeoff by rolling down the runway and building up speed. The initial acceleration depends on the aircraft's thrust and weight, but it can reach speeds of around 150-200 miles per hour (240-320 kilometers per hour) within a few seconds.
2. Subsonic Acceleration: As the F-15 continues down the runway, the pilot applies full afterburner to increase thrust. The aircraft rapidly accelerates, reaching subsonic speeds of several hundred miles per hour. This acceleration phase typically lasts for about 10-15 seconds.
3. Transonic Phase: As the F-15 approaches the speed of sound (around 768 miles per hour or 1,236 kilometers per hour at sea level), it encounters increased drag and turbulence due to shockwave formation. This phase can be challenging for the aircraft and can cause some instability.
4. Supersonic Acceleration: Once the F-15 passes through the transonic phase, it enters the supersonic regime, where the airflow over the aircraft becomes mostly supersonic. The acceleration continues, and the aircraft steadily increases its speed beyond Mach 1.
Overall, the time taken for an F-15 to accelerate from takeoff to Mach 1 can vary from around 40 seconds to over 60 seconds, depending on the conditions and how quickly the pilot can push the aircraft to its limits.
