The F-15EX Eagle II is more than a fresh new aircraft rolling off the assembly line—it’s the integration of battle-tested design and groundbreaking technology. By leveraging the tried-and-true F-15 airframe and infusing it with its best equipment right now, the Eagle II draws on a heritage of performance and takes the lead in getting ready for tomorrow’s battlefield. It is a considered, professional solution born out of decades of experience for anyone who has watched U.S. airpower evolve.
The origins of the F-15 are post-Vietnam. America required an aircraft that would be better than the world’s best aircraft in terms of maneuverability, firepower, and performance. In 1972, the F-15A first flew off the ground, and it entered service in 1976. Built on Major John Boyd’s theory of energy-maneuverability, the F-15 became something to be reckoned with on the airwaves immediately. But over the years, its updates and variations like the F-15C and the F-15E kept it current, adapting to the changing needs of contemporary combat.
The F-15EX does the same thing today. It’s not so much a new plane, actually—it’s a highly advanced, highly capable version of a proven platform. That is, it doesn’t invent the wheel, but it makes the wheel a lot better. The program was formally started in 2019 when the Air Force transitioned to retire the older fleet of F-15C/Ds. The plan was approved by Congress, and in mid-2020, a contract to build the initial jets was awarded to Boeing. Initial plans were for 144 aircraft, which were pared back to 104 once priorities and priorities shifted and older planes were pushed out of service.
The initial F-15EX was rolled out of Boeing’s St. Louis production line in March 2021 and was delivered to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. There were a few delays due to supply chain issues, but otherwise, production was on schedule. All airplanes have been rigorously tested and assessed to ensure it is combat-capable.
Where Eagle II excels is by combining cutting-edge technology and reliable airframe performance. Fly-by-wire flight controls and an all-digital glass cockpit featuring large displays replace traditional analog systems, with pilots having greater control and awareness of the situation. Its Raytheon APG-82(V)1 radar can detect early and precisely, further enhancing pilots’ advantage in extended-range engagements.
Electronic warfare is managed by the EPAWSS system, created by BAE Systems, that defends the jet against detection using radar, enables jamming, and increases survivability in hostile environments. F-15EX can be easily upgraded and reconfigured within a short period using Open Mission System software as threats change.
Since its first flight, the Eagle II has been well-tested and flown in exercises such as Northern Edge and Combat Hammer. One of the highlights achieved was firing 12 air-to-air missiles in one flight—a first for F-15s. Contemporary production has also included such niceties as enhanced cockpit pressurization and satellite communications, enhancing each aircraft over the last.
The payload capacity of the F-15EX is one of its most significant strengths. It will be able to carry well over 29,000 pounds of ordnance, from air-to-air missiles and bombs to new hypersonic systems. With AMBER missile racks, it will be able to carry as many as 22 air-to-air missiles—more than almost any other fighter—and is an adjunct to stealth fighters like the F-35, a deployable weapons platform for high-threat missions.
Its open architecture and modular design enable it to prepare for future applications—whether drone squad-mates, testing new computer programming, or bearing-un systems in conceptual development. The F-15EX is designed to remain relevant years from now. Demand from foreign allies is strong. Israel has ordered 50 F-15IA aircraft, and Qatar and Saudi Arabia operate advanced variants. Indonesia bought 24 F-15IDNs in 2023, and Poland is considering a purchase. Sharing approximately 70% commonality with earlier F-15s makes the EX a cost-effective way for allies to catch up without starting from scratch.
Critics have pointed out that the F-15EX is not stealthy relative to an F-22 or F-35 and that it might be at a disadvantage in deeply contested airspaces. It is, however, its speed, visibility, and enormous payload that make it strategically superior, which are then supported by stealth fighters flying with it.
Before that, the F-15EX had a straightforward position in the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance plan. 20,000 hours estimated life, and it can readily accommodate new technology—it’s meant to be a longer-term investment than a brief short-term Band-Aid—it’s an investment with long-term staying power. Ultimately, the F-15EX Eagle II demonstrates that good design is eternal. With gentle modernization and new technology, even a Cold War-era-born fighter can still be a sky intimidator today.
