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In an impressive demonstration of air power, the US Air Force has carried out assessments suggesting the new F-15EX Eagle II could become the most extensively equipped fighter ever. On August 30, 2023, the 53rd Wing piloted an F-15EX with a formidable armament at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
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This demonstration included the successful launch of three Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), showcasing the Eagle II’s unique capability to function as a ‘missile truck.’
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The F-15EX, which is the latest iteration of the F-15 series, has been in the spotlight since its first flight on February 2, 2021. The first aircraft was delivered on March 11, 2021, signaling a new era for the Eagle variant.
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The U.S. Air Force is now tapping into the F-15EX’s prodigious missile-carrying capacity to complement stealth fighters like the F-35 Lightning II by forging paths through enemy defenses, a strategy that could revolutionize air combat tactics.
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It is dimensionally identical to its predecessors yet boasts a payload boost that is nothing short of revolutionary.
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The advanced design includes the latest electronic warfare systems such as the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS), a digital fly-by-wire system, and a modernized cockpit featuring touchscreen interfaces.
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These enhancements position the Eagle II as a formidable force in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
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Despite its similarities in appearance to earlier models, the F-15EX distinguishes itself with its new Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack (AMBER), which allows it to carry 50% more air-to-air missiles, totaling 12, as compared to the older F-15 variants.
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With 23 weapon stations, the F-15EX has the infrastructure to carry a daunting array of missiles and bombs, making it arguably the most heavily armed fighter in terms of missile capacity.
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During the tests at Eglin Air Force Base, the F-15EX demonstrated its ability to strike with precision using JASSM cruise missiles, each with a 250-mile range and designed to evade radar detection.
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This demonstration underlined the dual-role flexibility of the Eagle II, engaging in air-to-ground strikes followed by air-to-air missions without the need to rearm. The synergy between the F-15EX and fifth-generation fighters was also a focus of evaluations.
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The U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6 has examined how the non-stealthy Eagle II could integrate with stealthy aircraft, such as the F-35 and the F-22, to create a network-enabled battlespace.
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The F-15EX’s missile payload advantage, combined with its advanced electronic warfare capabilities provided by EPAWSS, enhances the aircraft’s survivability and lethality in contested airspace.
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In contrast to stealth fighters like the F-35, which carries a maximum of ten missiles when sacrificing stealth, the F-15EX can carry twelve AMRAAMs with no stealth constraints.
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This disparity in armament load underscores the tactical versatility the Eagle II brings to the battlefield. The F-15EX’s role as a potential ‘missile truck’ is not just hypothetical but grounded in strategic necessity.
Relevant articles:
– 15EX Eagle II the Most Heavily Armed Fighter Ever?, popularmechanics.com
– F-15EX Eagle II Archives, airandspaceforces.com
– A Look At The Weapons On Board The F-15EX, simpleflying.com
– Can the F-15EX become a missile truck for the Air Force?, Sandboxx, Aug 5, 2022