F-15EX Eagle II

F-15EX Eagle II
Name	F-15EX Eagle II
Caption	An F-15EX Eagle II in flight.
Type	Multirole combat aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing Defense, Space & Security
First flight	2 February 2021
Introduction	7 April 2021
Status	In service
Primary user	United States Air Force
Number built	6 (as of 2024)
Program cost	$22.9 billion (planned)
Unit cost	$80 million (flyaway, 2020)
Developed from	Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle
Developed into	Boeing F-15 Advanced Eagle

F-15EX Eagle II is a modern American twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft developed by Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the United States Air Force. It is the latest evolution of the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle family, designed to replace aging F-15C/D models and augment the existing F-15E fleet. The aircraft emphasizes enhanced payload, range, and sensor fusion, integrating advanced avionics and Open mission systems architecture to ensure interoperability within a modern Joint All-Domain Command and Control network.

Development and procurement

The program originated from a United States Department of Defense initiative to rapidly field a capable aircraft to refresh the Air National Guard's air superiority fleet, which was facing airframe fatigue in its older F-16 and F-15C jets. Following a non-competitive award based on the existing F-15QA developed for the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Boeing received an initial contract in July 2020. This decision was influenced by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 and strategic considerations regarding the pacing challenge posed by the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The United States Air Force plans to acquire up to 104 aircraft, with significant funding allocated through the federal budget process overseen by the United States Congress.

Design and features

The airframe leverages the strengthened structure of the F-15E, featuring a Fly-by-wire flight control system and conformal fuel tanks for extended range. Its core advancement is the Raytheon AN/APG-82 Active electronically scanned array radar, which provides superior tracking and targeting capabilities. The cockpit is centered on a large-area display and features the Advanced Display Core Processor II, which hosts the Open mission systems software suite. This allows for rapid integration of new weapons and sensors, such as the AGM-158 JASSM and future hypersonic missiles. The aircraft can carry up to 12 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles or over 29,500 pounds of ordnance across its 12 weapon stations.

Operational history

The first aircraft, tail number 20-001, was delivered to the United States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in March 2021 for initial testing and evaluation by the 96th Test Wing and the 53rd Wing. The first operational squadron, the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, began receiving its aircraft in 2024. Initial operational testing included live-fire exercises with weapons like the AIM-9X Sidewinder and participation in large-scale exercises such as Northern Edge in Alaska. The fleet is expected to achieve Full operational capability by the end of the decade, serving primarily in the Indo-Pacific Command and United States European Command theaters.

Variants

The F-15EX is the baseline model for the United States Air Force. A dedicated two-seat electronic warfare and stand-off jammer variant, known as the F-15EX EW, is under consideration. The design has also directly informed the development of the F-15 Advanced Eagle marketed for international customers, including configurations for the Israeli Air Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force.

Operators

* United States ** United States Air Force – 6 delivered (as of 2024) of a planned 104. Aircraft are assigned to the 142nd Wing (Portland Air National Guard Base) and the 96th Test Wing (Eglin Air Force Base).

Specifications (F-15EX)

General characteristics * Crew: 1 or 2 * Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m) * Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m) * Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) * Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engines * Maximum speed: Mach 2.5+ * Combat range: 1,100 nmi (1,300 mi, 2,100 km) with conformal fuel tanks * Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)

Armament * Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon * Hardpoints: 12 wing and fuselage stations with a capacity of 29,500 lb (13,400 kg) of ordnance, including: ** Air-to-air missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-260 JATM ** Air-to-surface missiles: AGM-158 JASSM, AGM-88 HARM ** Precision bombs: GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, GBU-53/B StormBreaker ** Hypersonic missiles: AGM-183A ARRW (planned integration)

Avionics * AN/APG-82 AESA radar * AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) * Advanced Display Core Processor II * Open mission systems architecture

Category:United States fighter aircraft 2020–2029 Category:Boeing aircraft Category:Twinjet aircraft