The U.S. Air Force’s present-day addition to its fleet, the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, has marked a sizable milestone with the appearance of its 0.33 and fourth airframes at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. These new planes, exact EX3 and EX4, arrived on December 20, 2023, and are set to undergo rigorous checking out to ensure they meet the operational desires of the Air Force.
The F-15EX program, which started in earnest in 2019, ambitions to update the growing old F-15C fleet, lots of which have been in provider since the overdue Seventies. The new Eagle II is primarily based on the F-15QA advanced for Qatar and features a bunch of cutting-edge upgrades, along with an effective new processor, fly-via-twine controls, and extra weapon stations compared to its predecessor, the F-15E Strike Eagle. This makes the F-15EX the maximum advanced variant of the F-15 circle of relatives, boasting the most important fight load in the Air Force’s fighter inventory.
Despite dealing with delays because of delivery line troubles and manufacturing mistakes, Boeing has dedicated itself to handing over the closing 4 planes of the primary lot using spring. The Air Force plans to achieve preliminary operational functionality (IOC) via July 2024, furnished it gets eight aircraft through then. Full operational capability, defined as having 44 jets on duty with all important pilots, spares, and aid equipment, is predicted through 2027.
The F-15EX is geared up with the Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), an advanced electronic conflict suite that complements the aircraft’s survivability in contested environments. The Air Force’s 2023 annual report highlighted that the F-15EX is “operationally effective, appropriate, and survivable in opposition to threats likely to be encountered while performing its missions in hazardous environments.”
Lt. Col. Christopher Wee, Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force commander, emphasized the plane’s readiness, declaring that the F-15EX has “met every assignment we’ve thrown at it” and is “at the cusp of being geared up for the warfighter.”
The Air Force plans to procure 24 F-15EXs in the economic 12 months of 2025, with negotiations between Boeing and the Air Force on costs for production lots 2-4 already underway. Boeing is also advertising and marketing the F-15EX to different international locations, with Indonesia expressing interest in acquiring 24 of the fighters.
The F-15EX isn’t always just a substitute for the F-15C/D and E models but is also predicted to function as a standoff platform for launching lengthy-variety missiles and hypersonic weapons. This capability, combined with its spectacular pace, range, and heavy-weapon payload potential, positions the F-15EX as a formidable asset within the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal.
As the Air Force continues to modernize its fleet, the F-15EX Eagle II stands proud as a testament to the long-lasting legacy and flexibility of the F-15 platform. With its superior generation and stronger talents, the Eagle II is poised to play a critical function in preserving air superiority for years to come.