The F-15EX Eagle II is not just a new aircraft for the Air Force’s inventory—it’s a strategic mix of old and new technology. This plane takes an extensively tested airframe that has ruled the skies for decades and equips it with the gear and systems needed to deal with modern challenges. For those who would like to see the evolution of American airpower, the Eagle II is a smart, efficient airplane that takes a proven base and pushes it where it has to go with its eyes on the horizon. The birth of the F-15 followed the Vietnam War, when the United States sought a fighter that could outrun, outgun, and outmix the best of the day.
The result was the F-15A, which flew in 1972 and went into production in 1976. Using Major John Boyd’s theory of energy-maneuverability, the plane was soon the master of its environment. The platform increased in subsequent years with additional models like the F-15C and F-15E, all refining the original without losing its pertinence and performance. The F-15EX Eagle II follows in this tradition. It is not an entirely new airplane but a greatly developed version of a proven aircraft, improved with the most advanced technology. Essentially, it does not reinvent the wheel—it hones that wheel, makes it quicker, and more precise.
The program was initiated in 2019 when the Air Force decided it was time to retire the aging F-15C/D fleet. Boeing had been under contract to construct the first aircraft by mid-2020. The initial plan was for 144 aircraft, but that was subsequently reduced to 104 when priorities shifted and older aircraft were retired ahead of schedule.
The first F-15EX came off the assembly line in March 2021 in St. Louis and was transported to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. There were some minor setbacks that resulted from supply chain congestion, but overall, the rollout stayed on schedule. Each aircraft underwent rigorous testing so that it would be operational.
It’s what sets the F-15EX apart from its predecessors, with a mix of advanced systems and improved flight controls. It now features digital fly-by-wire flight controls, a fully digital glass cockpit with big touchscreens, and the Raytheon APG-82(V)1 radar, which detects and tracks targets more quickly and accurately than current systems. Long-range engagements provide pilots with a definite advantage due to these updates.
Its electronic warfare suite, BAE Systems’ EPAWSS, allows the jet to counter, jam enemy radar, and safely operate in contested airspace. Open Mission System software equips the aircraft to be upgraded or reconfigured with new threats easily, without a redesign, future-proofing it.
Testing has been ongoing. Beginning in early 2021, the Eagle II has participated in exercises such as Northern Edge and Combat Hammer. One note was knocking down 12 air-to-air missiles on one flight, something no previous F-15 model has done. Further deliveries have added upgrades such as improved cockpit pressure systems and satellite communications, so each subsequent aircraft is a bit more advanced than the last.
And perhaps the most striking aspect of the F-15EX is its ordnance-carrying capacity. It has a carrying capacity of over 29,000 pounds of ordnance, ranging from air-to-air missiles to bombs and even hypersonic missiles. With its AMBER missile racks, it can carry up to 22 air-to-air missiles, significantly more than most other fighter jets. This provides it with an optimum role as a wingman for stealth planes, acting as an airborne arsenal that enhances mission flexibility.
Its open architecture and modular construction guarantee that it will continue to evolve. Whether it is talking to drones, flying new code, or carrying weaponry yet to be imagined, the F-15EX is built to remain effective for decades. Interest isn’t limited to America. Israel has bought 50 F-15IA fighter planes, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have top-of-the-line Eagles, Indonesia bought 24 F-15IDNs in 2023, and Poland is mulling it over. Because roughly 70 percent of parts are identical to earlier models, the plane provides an inexpensive way for allied nations to upgrade without having to start from scratch.
Critics have noted its lack of stealth compared to the F-22 or F-35, which could be a factor against advanced radar systems. Yet the Eagle II’s speed, payload, and visibility offer unique advantages, allowing it to complement stealth aircraft by serving as a heavily armed presence in combat. Forward, the F-15EX is part of the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance future. With a goal of 20,000 hours of service and the ability to incorporate new technologies at high speed, it’s not a stopgap—its goal is to remain a central pillar of American airpower many years in the future.
In the end, the F-15EX Eagle II proves that strong design wins. By combining an existing airframe with new technology, a fighter airplane designed during the Cold War era is a formidable presence in modern skies.