FARNBOROUGH 2008: Why the Eagle stays near the top perch More than a quarter-of-a-century after it first flew and 24 years after its first Farnborough appearance, the F-15 Eagle is still sitting near the top of the fighter tree. Still in service with the USAF and continuing to play a vital front-line role with the air forces of Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, the F-15 is winning orders in competition with newer fighters. Boeing remains confident of future sales and is convinced it can keep its production line open. It says the F-15 offers a range and payload...