The Air Force currently plans on purchasing over 100 F-15EX Eagle IIs, though that number might increase depending on the needs of the service.
The Air Force is investing big in the F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet, and Boeing is expanding its production line. Increasingly more of the 4.5th-generation fighter jet are leaving the aerospace giant’s factories—and joining operational squadrons.
The F-15EX Is the Best F-15 Fighter in the World
Recently, Boeing began F-15EX Eagle II deliveries from Lot 2 of the production line. The defense and aerospace giant has so far delivered nine aircraft to the Air Force, and many more are on their way.
The Air Force currently plans on purchasing over 100 F-15EX Eagle IIs, though that number might increase depending on the needs of the service.
“It’s no surprise F-15EX is being called the [best in the world]. Our goal was to create the most advanced, lethal, and survivable [F-15] ever,” Steve Parker, chief executive of Boeing’s defence unit, said in a LinkedIn post.
The latest proposed legislation for the next defense budget prioritizes the F-15EX Eagle II with a $7.2 billion funding for accelerated production for the 4.5th-generation fighter jet. This funding also covers life extensions for the F-15E Strike Eagle, an older version of the “EX.”
“We integrated 5th-gen sensors, avionics, and advanced weapons into this proven platform that has always owned speed, range and payload. Our factory is now solely building and delivering operational-ready F-15EXs to the [USAF] while steadily increasing production, the right way to meet the demand for this icon of aviation,” Parker added.
The F-15EX Eagle II is a multirole and highly capable fighter jet. The aircraft can carry up to 30,000 lbs of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The aircraft bridges 4th- and 5th-generation capabilities—hence the “4.5th-generation” designation—and can work with stealth fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II in establishing air superiority over the battlefield. In terms of performance, Boeing’s fighter jet can hit speeds of up to Mach 2.5 (almost 2,000 miles per hour) and has an operational range of around 2,000 miles and a combat radius of 800 miles.
The New F-15s Will Finally Replace the A-10 Warthog
The Michigan Air National Guard plans to incorporate the F-15EX into its fleet to replace the aging A-10 Warthog. At face value, that is not a one-for-one replacement, given that the F-15EX Eagle II is a pure fighter jet, while the A-10 Warthog is solely designed for close air support missions. However, the 4.5th-generation fighter jet can also conduct close air support missions—perhaps not with the expertise of the A-10, but with sufficient ability to prompt the Michigan Air National Guard to expand its overall capabilities by adding it into the fleet.
“As commander-in-chief, I am proud to announce that very soon we will replace the retiring A-10 Warthogs with 21 brand new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets,” President Donald Trump said from Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan in April.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
