The F-15EX Eagle II continued to cement its reputation as the high-speed, high-altitude master of the sky. The F-15EX, the latest addition to the Air Force’s arsenal, has been pushed to the limit. Its design makes it capable of carrying a heavy payload, including even the likelihood of hypersonic missiles, making it an all the more viable and versatile fighter in modern-day air warfare.
This new version of the legendary F-15, based on the F-15QA, responds to the urgent need to replace the older F-15Cs/Ds. With a deep emphasis on long-range, high-speed, and menacing capabilities, the F-15EX is a formidable air-to-air and air-to-ground platform, boasting a payload increase of 29,500 pounds.
The aircraft’s stunning weaponry includes a load of up to 12 AIM-9 Sidewinders or AIM-120 AMRAAMs, or a load of up to 24 air-to-ground munitions, supplemented by one internally carried M61A1 20 mm six-barrel gun. Armed with its advanced APG-82 AESA radar, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), and EPAWSS self-protection suite, the fighter aircraft claims the record for the Air Force’s longest stand-off air-to-air range of any Air Force fighter.
The F-15EX’s advanced digital fly-by-wire flight control system and glass-cockpit touchscreen display are a technological leap forward. The Open Mission System (OMS) software architecture offers a platform for rapid capability expansion and upgrade, keeping the jet at the forefront of combat capability.
On 13 July 2020, the USAF awarded Boeing a $1.2 billion contract for the first eight F-15EX aircraft, a significant investment in the future air combat capability. Delivery of the first was on March 11, 2021, at Eglin AFB.
The F-15EX’s initial operational test flight from Nellis took place in October 2021, and a live missile was first fired on Jan. 25, 2022. The plane launched a pair of AIM-120s down the Eglin range, a demonstration of its potential for deployment to the front lines.
As the Air Force plans to purchase just 104 F-15EX fighter jets instead of the initially proposed 144, the impact of this decision is under scrutiny.
Besides, the F-15EX has sparked interest overseas, with Israel planning to submit an official request for 25 of the fighter jets, demonstrating its international appeal.
Despite its high cost of approximately $93.5 million per unit, the F-15EX’s contributions to the U.S. air dominance cannot be overstated. Its prowess in range, armament capacity, and modernized avionics ensures it remains a vital addition to America’s air defense strategy.