Adieu to the F-15C/D Eagles at Kadena Air Base, closing one of the most iconic chapters in the history of the US Air Force. What was once the symbol of American air superiority, the mighty Eagles that ruled the Cold War skies, is now bowing out to their replacement—the F-15EX Eagle II. This substitution isn’t just a case of an aging jet being superseded by a newer model. It’s a larger change in direction toward accepting the needs of air combat today—a world where speed, flexibility, and sophisticated systems mark victory.
On the surface, the F-15EX is recognizable. It’s constructed from the same rugged airframe that’s been working successfully for decades, but under that recognizable hull lies a new level of power and precision. The plane now comes equipped with digital fly-by-wire flight controls, a glass cockpit with helmet-mounted cueing, and the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS), providing it with electronic warfare capabilities on the same level as some stealth fighters.
Its open mission systems and advanced AESA radar make it very flexible. It is easy to add new sensors, weapons, and mission software in a hurry, keeping the aircraft current as threats change—without expensive times and major redesigns.
Perhaps the most typical thing about the Eagle II is that it is very versatile. While it will inherit the air defense role of the F-15C/D, it’s also designed to strike hard and fast in ground attack missions. With a capacity for up to 13.6 tons of ordnance, including hypersonic missiles up to 22 feet in length, the F-15EX is a true “missile truck,” capable of delivering huge quantities of firepower over long distances.
Complemented by stealth fighters like the F-22 and F-35, the Eagle II is the group’s heavyweight—capable of firing salvoes of missiles as its stealthier cousins recon and mark targets. The complementarity is especially advantageous in large operating spaces like the Pacific, where range and payload are valuable commodities.
Its two-seat F-15EX configuration makes it even more promising. Its rear seat, previously booked by a traditional Weapons Systems Officer, now presents new possibilities for the rear pilot—flying unmanned aircraft, leading air missions, or controlling live data networks. This places the Eagle II squarely in position for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, in which human pilots will lead teams of AI-controlled drones on coordinated missions.
Electronic warfare is also another area where the Eagle II may see more activity. As the production of the F/A-18 Growler is winding down, the F-15EX can assume deadly jamming missions with cutting-edge equipment and next-generation pods. This puts it in the exclusive group of aircraft capable of pounding targets while also jamming the communications and radar of a foe.
Even talks of arming it with buddy refueling pods—enabling the F-15EX to push the range of stealth fighters without risking large tanker aircraft. Such flexibility makes it not just a fighter, but a force multiplier instrument. International scale is already paying attention to the F-15EX. Indonesia has been cleared to purchase the aircraft, and Boeing is touting it to potential buyers such as Poland and India.
For approximately $97 million an aircraft, the Eagle II is a great value for price versus performance. It’s cheaper than the F-22 and similar to the F-35 but superior in payload, range, and overall mission versatility—features that are critical during an era of dwindling defense budgets.
The F-15EX will be a key component of the Air Force’s “four plus one” fighter fleet plan, filling a gap in stealth fighters with its range, firepower, and advanced equipment. The phaseout of the F-15C is not the end of the Eagle saga—it’s just the next chapter.
Decades from now, the F-15EX Eagle II will do so much more than protect air superiority. It will be an airborne battle center—a multi-mission force for guiding the fight, managing allies, and continuing the Eagle legacy well into the decades to come.