In the rapidly changing security landscape of today, the U.S. Air Force is reconsidering how to control the skies. That change is represented in the F-15EX Eagle II—a pilot-flying machine that closes the gap between tried designs and the needs of contemporary, high-intensity warfare.
The F-15EX is more than just a quick fix to an old design; it’s a big, new idea for what the Air Force wants in a top fighter. Built on the tried and true F-15E Strike Eagle, the Eagle II offers big upgrades in range, load, life span, and how it uses data during fights. Its tough body can last for 20,000 hours, supported by new digital flight controls and a new, all-screen cockpit.
Key to its survival is the EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System), a top-notch tech for digital warfare that lets the plane fly safely, even in skies full of danger.
One of Eagle II’s headline features is its expanded weapons load. With 12 air-to-air missile stations—four more than earlier F-15Cs/Ds—it can bring a larger punch to the fight.
It’s also prepared for the Air Force’s latest long-range and high-speed weaponry, such as hypersonic missiles, JASSM cruise missiles, and LRASM anti-ship missiles. During Gulf of Mexico testing, the F-15EX demonstrated it was capable of firing AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles from its new outer wing pylon stations—demonstrating it’s fight-ready day one.
The Air Force is retiring its old fleet of F-15C/D fighters and replacing it with 144 F-15EXs over the course of the next few years.
This isn’t about maintaining squadron levels—this is about bringing a platform designed for today’s missions and tomorrow’s threats. The Oregon Air National Guard is among the first to shift, with Kingsley Field assuming the training mission and Portland becoming the first operational F-15EX unit. The change keeps the Guard in a leading-edge air defense mission deep into the future.
The Eagle II is also having a global impact. At Kadena Air Base in Japan, 36 F-15EXs will displace 48 older aircraft, as part of a $10 billion modernization program directly intended to enhance U.S. strength in the Indo-Pacific.
With growing regional tensions, the F-15EX provides both the muscle and the networked capabilities to function as a forward-deployed “battle manager,” directing missions and supporting combat efforts in contested environments.
Versatility is yet another of the F-15EX’s advantages. With two crew seats, next-generation crew stations, and open mission systems architecture, it can function as more than a fighter—it can be used as an airborne command node, directing manned and unmanned aircraft in missions of the future “loyal wingman” type.
Its speed in sharing, processing, and taking action on information makes it an invaluable part of the Air Force’s transition to joint, multi-domain warfare.
Instead of facing off with hidden jets like the F-35, the F-15EX adds to them. The F-35 is great with hiding and tech, but the Eagle II has top load, range, and many uses. They give leaders many ways to rule the sky, whether they need a secret hit or a strong show of power.
The F-15EX Eagle II is not just an updated fighter—it’s a harbinger of the way the Air Force plans to remain ahead of the curve in an age of rapidly advancing threats. Blending a tried-and-tested combat track record with advanced innovation, it’s set to be a powerful force in the skies far into the future.
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