The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing is gearing up for a historic transition, as it becomes the first operational unit to shift from the legacy F-15C to the cutting-edge F-15EX Eagle II, marking a new era in American air superiority. The F-15EX not only outshines its predecessors with its robust arsenal and state-of-the-art avionics but also cements the 142nd Wing’s position as a vanguard in advanced fighter technology within the Air National Guard.

Pilots from the 142nd Wing, based in Oregon, have recently taken the F-15EX for a spin at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, noting its “generational improvement” in terms of power, radar, and avionics over the F-15C.

The F-15EX introduces a glass cockpit with large touchscreens and a modern fly-by-wire control system, enhancing the pilot’s situational awareness and operational capabilities.

Lt. Col. Joel Thesing articulated the enhancements vividly: “The engines feel like they have a lot more power than those in the C-model, and the radar and avionics are a generational improvement over the F-15C as well.”

This sentiment is shared by retired Air Force major Ryan Bodenheimer, who expressed his excitement about the glass cockpit’s capabilities: “The F-15E was great but the screens on that thing were small, they needed updating… this is going to be a huge force multiplier because it increases your situational awareness.”

The F-15EX is not just an incremental update; it’s a versatile beast, capable of achieving Mach 2.5 and carrying up to 30,000 lbs of munitions, the most heavily armed aircraft in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal.

Designed as a formidable air-to-air and air-to-ground combatant, the F-15EX can be equipped with a wide range of weapons, from AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to air-to-ground munitions and hypersonic missiles. This loadout flexibility makes the F-15EX a strategic asset across various mission profiles.

Despite the F-15EX’s impressive feats, it serves as a stopgap solution while the Air Force addresses the aging fleets of F-22s and F-15C/Ds, as well as production issues with the F-35s.

With an estimated operational lifespan of 20,000 hours and lower costs per flight hour compared to the F-35A, the F-15EX presents a cost-effective alternative for the long term. The Air Force plans to procure approximately 105 of these jets, each costing between $90 and $97 million.

The pivot to the F-15EX comes amidst logistical challenges, including a congressional mandate to maintain a minimum number of fighters.

This acquisition also addresses the shortcomings of non-stealth aircraft against near-peer adversaries, as highlighted by Lieutenant Colonel Wee, who noted, “This airplane is not survivable [in close combat]… But the F-15s can be a huge force multiplier, with the portfolio of fighters we have, by killing targets from the outside.”

Currently, testing for the F-15EX continues with the 40th and 85th test squadrons at Eglin Air Space, determining the new fighter’s operational and developmental capabilities.

This testing is crucial for ensuring that the F-15EX can indeed serve as the powerhouse it promises to be, safeguarding U.S. interests in the skies.

The introduction of the F-15EX is a testament to the Air Force’s commitment to modernize its fleet with a platform that promises to bolster U.S. air power for decades to come.

For military tech and aviation aficionados, the deployment of the F-15EX Eagle II ushers in an exhilarating chapter in the saga of air superiority, one that combines a reverence for legacy with the pulse of innovation.

Relevant articles:
– What Makes the F-15EX Fighter A Real Game Changer, The National Interest
– Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II: What Makes This Fighter Truly a Game Changer in the Sky, The National Interest
– 15EX: A New Era in Air Power Takes Flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Mid Bay News
– Everything You Need to Know About the Air Force’s New F-15EX, Military.com