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The “Super Eagle,” also known as the F-15EX Eagle II, is redefining aerial warfare with its unmatched armament capacity, potentially making it the most heavily armed fighter jet to date in the U.S. Air Force.
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With capabilities to carry a vast array of missiles and a focus on versatility over stealth, the F-15EX is a formidable presence in the USAF’s inventory.
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The first of this advanced variant, rooted in the F-15QA developed for Qatar, was delivered to Eglin Air Force Base on March 11, 2021, with a second arriving on April 20, 2021, for operational testing.
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The next six jets are on track for delivery in 2023, with an eventual plan to phase out the aging F-15C/D fleet, signaling a significant shift in the USAF’s approach to air combat readiness.
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This new iteration of the Eagle lineage is not just an incremental upgrade; it is a leap forward in combat capabilities.
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Digital fly-by-wire flight controls, a Large Area Display (LAD) glass-cockpit with touchscreen interface, and advanced radar systems such as the APG-82 AESA are only the beginning.
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The addition of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) ensure pilot safety and effectiveness in hostile environments.
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One notable feature of the F-15EX is its armament versatility.
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In August 30, 2023, the 53rd Wing presented the Eagle II with twelve AMRAAMs and three JASSMs, effectively deploying the latter at Eglin Air Force Base.
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This armament capacity is a significant increase from the eight missiles that previous F-15 models, such as the F-15A, F-15C, and F-15E, could carry.
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At the heart of this expansion is the Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack (AMBER) system, which increases the aircraft’s air-to-air missile capacity by 50 percent to 12, totaling 23 weapon stations.
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The AMBER racks are game-changers, enabling the F-15EX to function as a “missile truck” in collaborative engagements with fifth-generation fighters like the stealthy F-35 Lightning II.
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Unlike the F-35, which must internalize its munitions to maintain its stealth profile, the F-15EX has no such limitations.
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It can freely carry an assortment of weapons externally, with the trade-off of a reduction in speed and maneuverability due to the increased load.
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This allows the F-15EX to pack a balanced arsenal, capable of striking heavily defended targets with its JASSM cruise missiles, followed by engaging enemy aircraft with its formidable air-to-air combat load.
Relevant articles:
– F-15EX Eagle II Archives, Air & Space Forces Magazine
– 15EX Eagle II the Most Heavily Armed Fighter Ever?, Popular Mechanics
– F-15 Eagle, af.mil