As the world security environment continues to change, the U.S. Air Force is reconsidering how to dominate the air. Standing in the middle of that transformation is the F-15EX Eagle II—a flight-proven fighter that combines decades of proven performance with the demands of high-intensity, modern combat.
The Eagle II is not just a new generation of an older plane. It’s a platform with vision for tomorrow’s requirements as well as today. Based on the proven F-15E Strike Eagle, it improves on range, payload, longevity, and battlefield connectivity. Its airframe is built to last 20,000 flight hours, combined with state-of-the-art digital flight controls and a completely modernized, all-digital cockpit.
Survivability is at the heart of Eagle II. With the EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System), this jet can fly safely even in hostile airspaces, locating threats and reacting in real time.
Its most apparent improvement is in its weaponry capacity. With 12 air-to-air missile stations, four more than earlier F-15 models, Eagle II can pack a denser punch in dogfights. It is also designed to work in harmony with the Air Force’s newest long-range and high-speed conventional munitions, such as hypersonic missiles, JASSM cruise missiles, and LRASM anti-ship missiles. From its testing in the Gulf of Mexico, the aircraft has successfully test-fired AIM-120 AMRAAMs and AIM-9X Sidewinders from its new outer wing pylons, proving it’s mission-ready from the ground up.
The Air Force is replacing aging F-15C/D fighter jets with 144 F-15EXs over the next few years. This isn’t merely a matter of numbers in the fleet—it’s about having an airplane designed to counter contemporary threats. The Oregon Air National Guard is the first to convert, with Kingsley Field serving as the training site and Portland the first operational F-15EX squadron, keeping the Guard ahead of the curve in U.S. air defense.
Worldwide, the Eagle II is also having an impact. On Kadena Air Base in Japan, 36 F-15EXs will replace 48 aging fighters as part of a $10 billion modernization effort that seeks to increase U.S. capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
As regional tensions rise, the F-15EX blends firepower with next-generation networked capabilities, serving as an advanced forward-deployed “battle manager” to manage missions and support operations in contested environments.
Versatility is another highlight. With two crew members, next-generation mission systems, and open architecture, the Eagle II can be more than a fighter—it can be an airborne command node, controlling manned and unmanned aircraft in future “loyal wingman” missions.
Its capability to quickly process, exchange, and respond to battlefield data makes it a critical player in the Air Force’s transition to joint, multi-domain operations.
Instead of filling the gaps that stealth fighters such as the F-35 will leave behind, the F-15EX is designed to supplement them. The F-35 is best at low observability and advanced technology, while the Eagle II offers unparalleled payload, range, and multi-role capability. Together, they give commanders several options to establish control of the skies, either through precision strike or by a powerful demonstration of force.
The F-15EX Eagle II is not only a fighter modernized—it’s a glimpse into the future of air warfare. Mixing a tested combat history with state-of-the-art upgrades, it’s destined to be a force to be reckoned with in the skies for decades to come.