The F-15EX Eagle II isn’t merely another new plane rolling out of a factory—it’s a potent combination of heritage and cutting-edge, taking a legendary airframe and rearming it for the battlefield of tomorrow. For those who’ve observed the decades-long evolution of American airpower, the Eagle II is a wise, capable solution to today’s challenges—born from tested performance, but designed for what’s to come.
The history of the F-15 dates back to the post-Vietnam War era. America was in search of a fighter that would be able to outspeed, outfire, and outmaneuver the best the Soviet Union had at its disposal. That’s where the F-15A came in, taking its first flight in 1972 and entering service by 1976. Designed around Major John Boyd’s energy-maneuverability concept, the jet quickly built a reputation as a beast in the sky. With upgrades and new variants like the F-15C and F-15E over the decades, the platform never faded—it just kept getting better.
Now, the F-15EX Eagle II takes up that mantle. This is not a completely new design from the ground up. Rather, it’s an extremely polished version of an already trusted aircraft, but loaded with the newest technology. As one flight organization summed it up, the Eagle II doesn’t change the wheel—it just makes that wheel a whole lot more deadly.
The journey to the F-15EX officially started in 2019 when the Air Force determined it was time to replace the old F-15C/D fleet. Congress supported the effort, and by mid-2020, Boeing was contracted to produce the first order of planes. Initially, the Air Force had requested 144 F-15EXs, but that request has since been changed to 104 as plans changed and the rate of phasing out older planes accelerated.
The first F-15EX rolled off the assembly line in March 2021, direct from Boeing’s St. Louis plant, and was delivered to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. There were some delays attributable to supply chain problems, but otherwise, the program remained on track. Additional jets have since arrived, with each undergoing rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure they’re battle-ready.
So what sets the F-15EX apart from older planes? It begins with digital fly-by-wire flight controls—something earlier F-15s did without. Pilots inside today have a completely digital glass cockpit with large touchscreens. Its radar, the Raytheon APG-82(V)1, can detect and track targets much earlier and more precisely than older radars, and that puts pilots ahead in the game for long-range fights.
And then there’s its electronic warfare suite, the EPAWSS. Developed by BAE Systems, the system supports the jet in evasion, jamming enemy radar, and protecting itself in hostile environments. With its Open Mission System software configuration, the F-15EX can be upgraded and configured without a complete redesign each time the threats change. It’s a high-tech plug-and-play system.
Testing has been around the clock. From its inaugural flight in early 2021, the Eagle II has participated in large-scale exercises such as Northern Edge and Combat Hammer. One standout? Executing 12 air-to-air missiles on a single flight—a first for any variant of Eagle. More recent deliveries have included improvements such as improved cockpit pressure controls and satellite comms systems, so each model is a little wiser and more advanced than before.
If there’s anything the F-15EX is most famous for, it’s the payload. The aircraft can carry over 29,000 pounds of weaponry, from air-to-air missiles and bombs to hypersonic weapons. With AMBER missile racks, it can carry as many as 22 air-to-air missiles—a number much larger than most fighter jets. This also makes it an ideal complement to stealth fighters like the F-35, serving as a flying arsenal that fuels more surgical missions.
Aside from combat, its open architecture and modular design leave it space to evolve. Whether it’s adapting to future drone squadmates, experimenting with new software tools, or accommodating weapons that aren’t even designed yet, the F-15EX is designed to remain ahead of the curve.
And it’s not only the U.S. that’s interested. Israel has ordered 50 F-15IA jets. Qatar and Saudi Arabia already fly advanced iterations of the Eagle. Indonesia ordered 24 F-15IDNs in 2023, and Poland is considering making a purchase. Because the F-15EX uses roughly 70% of the same parts as older aircraft, it’s an inexpensive means for allied nations to get current without beginning from scratch.
Yet, there’s been criticism. Detractors cite the lack of stealth of the F-15EX versus the F-22 or F-35. In an era of sophisticated radar technology, that might be a liability. But to others, its advantages—payload, speed, and visibility—might be a strategic advantage, barking loudly while stealth fighters do their work in the dark.
Looking down the road, the F-15EX will be at the center of the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) vision. With a 20,000-hour service life and quick integrations with new technology, it’s set to be more than a temporary solution—it’s part of the long game.
Ultimately, the F-15EX Eagle II is evidence that good design never goes out of fashion. With the proper technology and progressive upgrades, even a Cold War-era fighter jet can stay a force to be reckoned with.