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 Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle

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 weapons rack 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]

The USAF bought the F-15EX to maintain fleet size as F-22 production ended, the F-35 was delayed, and its F-15Cs 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 munitions.[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 in the Florida and Oregon Air National Guards 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]

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]

Variants
F-15IA
The F-15IA (Israel Advanced) is a variant for the Israeli Air Force based on the F-15EX.[17] 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.[17]
F-15ID
The F-15ID is a proposed export version of the F-15EX for the Indonesian Air Force.[18] 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.[18]

Operators
 United States

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.
  9. "Air Force announces Guard locations for F-35A, F-15EX U.S. Air Force Article Display". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  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.
  11. Insinna, Valerie (11 March 2021). "The Air Force has its first F-15EX". Defense News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  12. Newdick, Thomas (7 April 2021). "The F-15EX Is Now Officially Named The Eagle II". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  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.
  15. "F-15EX First Operational Units Will Not Get Conformal Fuel Tanks". 20 January 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  16. Trevithick, Joseph (13 March 2023). "F-15EX Eagle II Total Buy Increases From 80 To 104 In New USAF Budget". The Drive. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  17. Egozi, Arie. "Israel Buys Stealth & Lotsa Weapons: 2nd Squadron Of F-35s & F-15s" Archived 12 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Breakingdefense.com, 18 February 2020.
  18. "INDONESIA – F-15ID AIRCRAFT". Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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