Boeing F-15EX Eagle II

The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is an American all-weather multirole strike fighter derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.[1]

For the game, see F-15 Strike Eagle (video game).

F-15EX Eagle II
An F-15EX Eagle II from the 40th Flight Test Squadron flies above Northern California, May 2021.
Role Multirole strike fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Primary user United States Air Force
Produced 2021–present
Developed from McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

Design and development

In 2018, the United States Air Force (USAF) and Boeing discussed the F-15X or Advanced F-15, a proposed single-seat variant based on the F-15QA to replace USAF F-15C/Ds. Improvements included the AMBER (Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack) system to carry up to 22 air-to-air missiles, infrared search and track, advanced avionics and electronic warfare equipment, AESA radar, and revised structure with a service life of 20,000 hours.[2][3] Single- and two-seat variants were proposed, called F-15CX and F-15EX respectively, with identical capabilities. The USAF opted for the two-seat variant, which can be flown either by a single pilot or by a pilot and WSO for complex missions and, someday, controlling collaborative combat aircraft. One reason for this decision is that only two–seat F-15 models remained in production.[4][5]

A F-15EX on the assembly line, July 2020

The USAF bought the F-15EX to maintain fleet size as F-22 production ended, the F-35 was delayed, and its F-15s aged. Although it is not expected to survive against modern air defenses by 2028, the F-15EX can perform homeland and airbase defense, enforce no-fly zones against limited air defenses, and deploy standoff weapons.[6] In July 2020, the U.S. Defense Department ordered eight F-15EXs over three years for $1.2 billion.[7][8] In August 2020, the USAF announced plans to replace F-15Cs of Air National Guard units in the Florida and Oregon with F-15EXs.[9] The F-15EX made its maiden flight on 2 February 2021.[10] The first F-15EX was delivered to the USAF in March 2021, and was flown to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for further testing.[11]

The first delivery of the F-15EX at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

On 7 April 2021, its official name Eagle II was announced.[12] The FY2021 defense appropriations bill funded F-15EX procurement at $1.23 billion for 12 aircraft, bringing total orders to 20 aircraft.[13] By May 2022, the USAF had ordered 144 F-15EXs. It has proposed reducing its orders to 80.[14] The first operational F-15EXs are not to receive conformal fuel tanks.[15] The Air Force's proposed budget for fiscal 2024 includes funds to buy 24 more F-15EXs,[16] which would bring the planned fleet up to 104 aircraft.[16] On 18 April 2023, the USAF announced that the California and Louisiana Air National Guards would replace their F-15C/D fleets with the F-15EX.[17] On 25 May 2023, it was announced that the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field ANGB, Oregon, would become a Formal Training Unit (FTU) for the F-35A rather than the F-15EX. Basic F-15 training, for both the F-15E and F-15EX, will instead take place at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, from 2026 onwards.[18]

Operational history

Israel

The Israeli Air Force ordered 25 F-15IA fighters and plans to upgrade 25 F-15Is to the F-15IA standard.[19]

Indonesia

In February 2022, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of up to 36 F-15IDs and related equipment to Indonesia.[20] As of 21 November 2022, Indonesia's planned purchase of F-15s is in advanced stages and awaiting final sign-off from the government, as stated by the Indonesian Minister of Defense. Speaking after meeting his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin in Jakarta, Prabowo Subianto said that Boeing had agreed to the financial offer proposed and he is confident the package is affordable.[21] In June 2023 during a Ministry of Defense press conference it was stated that the contract for the F-15 aircraft is still in the discussion stage with the U.S. government.[22][23] On 21 August 2023, Boeing and the Indonesian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of 24 F-15EX fighters.[24]

Thailand

The Royal Thai Air Force is seeking for multirole fighter to replace F-16A/B Block 15 ADF in service. On 31 December 2021, the RTAF Commander-in-chief announced that the Air Force proposes to buy 8 to 12 F-35 Lightning IIs in 2023. On 12 January 2022, the council of ministers approved the first batch of four F-35As.[25] On 22 May 2023, a Royal Thai Air Force source stated that the United States Department of Defense implied it will turn down Thailand's bid to buy F-35As, and instead offer F-16 Block 70 and F-15EX Eagle II fighters.[26]

Variants
F-15EX
Two-seat variant
F-15IA
The F-15IA (Israel Advanced) is a variant for the Israeli Air Force based on the F-15EX.[27] The Israel Defense Forces approved the plan to acquire 25 new-build F-15IA and upgrade 25 F-15Is to the F-15IA standard in February 2020.[27]
F-15IDN
The F-15IDN (formerly F-15ID) is a proposed export version of the F-15EX for the Indonesian Air Force.[28] In February 2022, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of up to 36 F-15IDs and related equipment to Indonesia worth around $13.9 billion.[20]

Operators
 United States

Specifications (F-15EX)

General characteristics Performance Data from Air and Space Forces Magazine[32]

General characteristics

Performance
  • Maximum speed: 1,434 kn (1,650 mph; 2,656 km/h)/Mach 2.5+ at high altitude
  • Combat range: 687 nmi (791 mi; 1,272 km)
  • Ferry range: 2,600 nmi (3,000 mi; 4,800 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
  • Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
  • G limits: +9
  • Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (250 m/s) +
  • Thrust/weight: 0.93

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. "Boeing: F-15E Strike Eagle". Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The Boeing Company. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  2. "Boeing Wants build a new F-15X fighter to the US Air Force". Business insider. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  3. Tyler Rogoway (25 July 2018). "Exclusive: Unmasking The F-15X, Boeing's F-15C/D Eagle Replacement Fighter". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  4. D'Urso, Stefano (10 February 2021). "Here Are All The Details We Noticed In The Photos Of The New F-15EX During Its First Flight". The Aviationist. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  5. "Boeing's Chief F-15 Test Pilot Talks Flying the Air Force's New Eagle on Its Maiden Flight". The War Zone. 8 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  6. Tirpak, John A. (18 April 2019). "F-15EX vs. F-35A". Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  7. "Air Force Starts F-15EX Buying Process" Archived 30 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Air Force Magazine. 29 January 2020.
  8. Gregg, Aaron. "Boeing lands $1.2 billion deal for eight F-15EX fighter jets". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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  10. "The Air Force's New F-15EX Eagle Just Took to the Sky for the First Time". The War Zone. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
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  13. "Air Force F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Program" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  14. Huguelet, Austin (7 May 2022). "'Not good for St. Louis': Air Force proposes slashing Boeing St. Louis' F-15EX line". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
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