F-15EX Eagle II: A New Generation of Air Dominance
The F-15EX Eagle II is the latest and most advanced variant of the legendary F-15 fighter jet, which has been serving the U.S. Air Force for more than four decades. The F-15EX is designed to replace the aging F-15C/D fleet and complement the F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, offering unmatched performance, versatility, and survivability.
The F-15EX recently achieved a major milestone in its development and testing program, by successfully launching three AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) in a single sortie. The JASSM is a stealthy, long-range, precision-guided munition that can strike high-value targets in heavily defended areas. The F-15EX is the first aircraft in the U.S. inventory that can carry three JASSMs on a single station, thanks to its increased payload capacity and flexibility.
The JASSM launch was part of the Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E) Phase I, which concluded in August 2023. The IT&E is a unique approach that combines developmental and operational testing for the F-15EX, in order to accelerate its fielding and reduce costs. The IT&E involved 19 large force exercise events, where the F-15EX integrated with fifth-generation aircraft and other assets, and demonstrated its capabilities in various scenarios. The IT&E also validated the F-15EX’s employment of other weapons, such as the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), and the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).
The data collected from the IT&E will be analyzed by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, to inform the full-rate production decision for the F-15EX, which is expected in the fall of 2023. The next major milestone for the program is the delivery of the first Lot 1B aircraft to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in the next few weeks. The F-15EX is on track to achieve initial operational capability by 2024.
The F-15EX Eagle II is a formidable addition to the U.S. Air Force’s fighter fleet, bringing unparalleled capabilities and potential to the warfighter. The F-15EX is not only a powerful platform, but also a smart one, featuring an advanced processor, a fly-by-wire system, an open mission systems architecture, and a digital backbone that enable rapid software updates and integration of new technologies. The F-15EX is also compatible with existing and future systems, such as the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS), the Legion Pod infrared search and track system, and the hypersonic weapons.
The F-15EX Eagle II is more than just an upgrade of the F-15. It is a new generation of air dominance, ready to face any challenge and adversary in the 21st century.
