Qatari Eagle seen with external pods during test flight

Alex Farwell kindly provided these images of the second Boeing F-15QA, destined for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF). Serial 17-0002 was flying with two external pods from St. Louis Lambert International (MO) on 24 September 2020.

The Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Extended Range (XR), under the left hand air intake, is a targeting pod that provides positive target identification, autonomous tracking, GPS coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges.

The Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infra Red at Night) navigation pod, under the right hand air intake, provides high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night and in adverse weather. The navigation pod contains a terrain-following radar and a fixed thermographic camera.

Under each wing the Eagle seems to carry two captive AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles.

Photos: @wiavgeek Alex Farwell