Questions:

Does F-15E empty weight includes CFTs?

How much is CFT’s empty weight?

When talking about payload, does pylons, release units, drop tanks empty weight included in it, or only useful payload (i.e. munition, pods, fuel without the supporting equipment)?

What is the actual, combat/training used max. payload for F-15E?

1) The F-15E empty weight is quoted with and without the CFTs. Without the CFTs the aircraft weighs about 33000lbs.

2) The empty weight of a pair of Dash 4 CFTs is 4367lbs.

3) When describing the payload of an aircraft from an operational/mission planning perspective, then yes it includes all the weights you mentioned. They also factor in things such as chaff & flare payloads, the type of fuel and oil being used by the aircraft, the weight of the crew etc.

4) The maximum payload of the F-15E is about 24000lbs.

I hope that helps.:)