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.

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.’

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.

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.

It is dimensionally identical to its predecessors yet boasts a payload boost that is nothing short of revolutionary.

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.

These enhancements position the Eagle II as a formidable force in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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