The F-15EX Eagle II is a unique instance of an airplane that pays homage to its rich history while totally adopting the needs of the current battlefield. Some may perceive it as a marvel of the modern age, and others may term it a tribute to an old style—but in fact, it is neither a relic nor a placeholder. It’s a selectively modernized fighter constructed to confront the challenges of contemporary air warfare head-on.
Its lineage traces back to the original F-15 Eagle, which made its maiden flight in the early 1970s. At that time, the F-15 was intended to outclass dogfighting, using energy-maneuverability concepts that provided pilots with unrivaled agility. Through the decades, the platform matured through the F-15C/D and multirole F-15E Strike Eagle, each model developing new technologies to remain competitive against new threats. When the U.S. Air Force ordered its first F-15EX in 2020, the mission was simple: replace old F-15C/Ds with a plane that was capable of accomplishing much more than the conventional air-to-air role.
As far as performance goes, the F-15EX is simply amazing. It is capable of speeds up to Mach 2.5, which is the fastest fighter being manufactured in the U.S. today. Its two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines produce close to 30,000 pounds of thrust each, enabling it to ascend to an altitude of 60,000 feet. The fly-by-wire system improves maneuverability and safety, providing pilots with precise control even while flying aggressively. The large touchscreen displays and dual Digital Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems in the cockpit ensure pilots remain fully informed of all activity around them.
One of the F-15EX’s defining characteristics is its enormous payload capacity—more than 29,000 pounds of ordnance. It can carry a combination of air-to-air missiles or even extended hypersonic missiles. With AMBER racks, it can fit as many as 22 air-to-air missiles, which is why it is referred to as the “missile truck.” Its open mission systems design enables the quick integration of new sensors and weapons as technology changes, so it remains useful long into the future.
Its electronic warfare capabilities are just as notable. The AN/APG-82(V)1 AESA radar can track multiple targets at long range, while the EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System) boosts situational awareness and countermeasure capabilities. Brig. Gen. Jason Voorheis praised EPAWSS as a game-changer, capable of detecting, identifying, and jamming threats on its own. Because it is largely software-driven, updates can be applied quickly to adapt to evolving threats.
The F-15EX is flexible by nature. Although air superiority forms the foundation of its mission, it can conduct electronic attack missions and even manned-unmanned teaming missions. It is Next Generation Jammer Pod compatible, which allows it to do missions previously reserved for dedicated aircraft.
Its two-seat design enables a weapons officer to oversee drone missions, stretching the jet’s capabilities without placing it directly in danger. Even more exceptionally, the F-15EX might serve as a high-speed air tanker using “buddy” tanker pods, enabling it to refuel stealth aircraft in closer proximity to the front lines, keeping them engaged longer.
From a cost and logistics standpoint, the F-15EX is extremely pragmatic. It’s less costly to purchase and maintain than stealth-oriented aircraft and has approximately 70% components in common with previous F-15 variants. It takes about two weeks to train a pilot to fly from an F-15C to an F-15EX, keeping operational squadrons sidelined for a minimal amount of time. The Air Force intends to purchase at least 144 of them, maintaining a formidable, multi-use fleet without excessive dependence on high-maintenance stealth planes.
The aircraft has also attracted attention from abroad. Israel has purchased 50 F-15IAs, Indonesia 24 F-15IDNs, and Poland is considering it. Qatar and Saudi Arabia already have advanced Eagles in their fleet, further establishing the platform’s worldwide reputation for flexibility and reliability.
Although it doesn’t possess stealth capabilities, that’s not its main objective. The F-15EX is designed to augment stealth planes, performing missions where invisibility is secondary, yet deploying unprecedented firepower, electronic warfare capabilities, and flexibility. After the airspace is secured, it can manage much of the load, allowing stealth planes to perform the missions they alone can.
By merging a time-tested airframe with new avionics and state-of-the-art electronic warfare features, the F-15EX ensures it will continue to be a central component of air combat for many years to come. With the importance of flexibility and responsiveness in this day and age, the Eagle II demonstrates that speed, payload, and versatility are as important as stealth in determining the future of air warfare.
