The F-15EX Eagle II is one of the few planes that allows us to visually capture the best of the things that were good about the old fighters of the classic era, and the demands of today’s air combat, on the other hand. For some, it might appear as a sophisticated farewell to the past, while for others, it is an indispensable component of the future. To be fair, it is not an obsolete aircraft nor is it a makeshift, but rather, a very contemporary and mission-capable jet designed to overcome the intricacies of the heavens of today.
Its beginnings date back to the original F-15 Eagle, which was inaugurated in the early 1970s. The F-15 was conceived to operate in air-to-air combat situations and combined for the first time in its kind speed, agility, and maneuverability. Over time, the design has changed through models like the F-15C/D and the multirole F-15E Strike Eagle, each update imbuing the plane with more competitiveness in a harder-to-fight environment. When the Air Force ordered the F-15EX in 2020, the assignment was clear: the F-15C/Ds that were getting old had to be replaced by a platform capable of much more than air-to-air engagements only.
The power of the F-15EX is extraordinary. It is capable of achieving up to Mach 2.5, thus making it the fastest fighter that is still in production in the US. Its two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines produce almost 30,000 pounds of thrust each, and thus, the plane reaches 60,000 feet above the earth. Digital fly-by-wire makes the pilot handling more accurate and safe for his aggressive moves; large touchscreens in the cockpit and two Digital Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems give an all-round view of the battlefield, thus improving situational awareness.
What is particularly striking about this Eagle II is its payload capability. The plane can carry weapons that weigh over 29,000 pounds, be it a dozen AMRAAM missiles or 22-foot-long hypersonic weapons. It can be fitted with AMBER racks to as many as 22 air-to-air missiles; thus, it is defined as a “missile truck” which can release firepower that is overwhelming but from a safe distance. Moreover, the aircraft’s open-architecture systems allow it to easily introduce new sensors and weapons, so the aircraft may remain flexible to changes in the threat environment.
The aircraft is not lacking in electronic warfare either. On the other hand, the AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar increases the detection range of targets and can track several simultaneously, while the EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System) discovers sources and effectively fires back.
It’s a multi-role aircraft. Even though it focuses on air dominance as its primary mission, it is capable of performing electronic attack and manned-unmanned teaming operations as well. Its two-seat configuration allows a backseat weapons officer who is controlling drone formations to monitor and thus extend operational reach without putting the aircraft in extreme danger.
Besides that, there are even some ideas for it to be a high-speed “buddy” refueler that can give stealth aircraft fuel to continue when they run out, but that is too near the combat zone for conventional tankers to safely operate.
From a practical point of view, the F-15EX is cost-effective. Compared to the stealth-focused fighters, it is less expensive to buy and maintain, and about 70% of its parts are shared with previous F-15 models. Pilots transitioning from older F-15s only have to take about two weeks of training, which drastically reduces the downtime. The Air Force intends to purchase at least 144 of the jets, thereby creating a multi-purpose and sturdy fleet without putting all its eggs in the stealth basket.
Besides, its popularity has also crossed the borders of the United States. For example, Israel bought 50 F-15IAs, Indonesia 24 F-15IDNs, and Poland is considering the possibilities. Moreover, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are already using upgraded Eagle variants, which is further evidence of the plane’s reputation as a reliable and flexible platform.
Although the lack of stealth is one of the opponents’ critique points, their conclusion regarding F-15EX is misleading. It is not built to supersede stealth aircraft but to be synergistic with them. Taking over those missions in which stealth is less important, it enables stealth fighters to focus on high-risk operations while simultaneously providing them with a considerable amount of firepower, electronic warfare support, and adaptable mission capacity.
The F-15EX will most likely be part of the United States Air Force for the next 30-40 years, a time span during which it will be very hard for the F-15EX not to remain relevant, but rather the exact opposite. This airplane will help the US with a very agile, quick, and precise-flowing air combat wartime strategy, which will be essential in this world of rapid and flexible reactions. As a result, the Eagle II is really showing us that its unfiltered performance, the payload it can take, and its flexibility are just as important as stealth if we want to talk about air combat of the future.