By Aaron Spray
The F-15EX has emerged as the Air Force's complement to the F-35, able to perform a different suite of missions.
Summary
- F-15EX is an all-new fighter with upgraded systems but retains its external look.
- F-15EX has increased capability & payload, boasting superior range & modern warfare tech.
- F-15EX provides easier & quicker air wing transition compared to the F-35.
The first Air Force F-15EX Eagle IIs are just becoming operational as the Air Force is starting to receive the first of the well over 100 EXs ordered. The Portland Air National Guard has just received its first F-15EX Eagle IIs, replacing its aging fleet of F-15Cs.
While the F-15EX may look like the F-15D/C on the outside, they are completely different on the inside. The old F-15Cs were built in the 1980s, and the basic computer systems are from the 1970s. There is a lot that makes the F-15EX special. It is essentially an all-new 4.5th-generation fighter jet.
F-15EX: an all-new fighter
The F-15 Eagle was originally planned to be a dedicated air superiority fighter, but over time, it has evolved into an all-weather multirole strike fighter. The Eurasian Times reported that Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, the Director of the US Air National Guard, called the last variant, the F-15EX, and its new capabilities a "game changer" relative to the older F-15E platforms it is replacing.
Photo: Boeing
“We can put our operating system on there. We can integrate weapons and sensors — anything that you can think of, we can integrate rapidly. And we can do rapid reprogramming on that system without ever touching the OFP. That is a game changer when you think about modern-day warfare.” Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, the Director of the US Air National Guard
F-15EX Eagle IIs Weapons | |
|---|---|
Payload: | 29,500 lbs |
Hardpoints: | 12 |
Armaments carried: | AIM-9, AIM-120, AIM-260 JATM, AGM-158 JASSM, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-183 ARRW, GBU-31 / GBU-38 JDAM, GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb |
Cannon: | 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon |
Boeing claims the EX can "shoot from a significantly increased range - farther than any other fighter in the US Air Force arsenal." The EX may not be as stealthy as the F-35, but it has been redefined to enjoy a state of detectability "using innovative electronic warfare tools." Crucially, the F-15EX does not sacrifice payload for survivability (unlike the F-35, which needs to carry ordinance internally to maintain stealth.
While the F-15EX may not have the stealth to penetrate contested airspace directly, it can shoot long-range standoff weapons into the airspace. The F-15EX has the ability to carry any long-range weapon available today (including JASSM-ERs).
Photo: Boeing
Related
A Look At The Weapons On Board The F-15EX
Boeing's Eagle II packs quite the punch.
How the F-15EX compliments the F-35
The F-15 family was supposed to be replaced by the F-22 Raptor. However, the extremely expensive F-22s were prematurely canceled (with less than 200 produced). After that, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program faced many delays. This compelled the Air Force to keep the F-15 family alive. Ironically, the F-15 has now outlived the F-22—the jet that was to replace it.
F-15EX advantages over F-35 | |
|---|---|
Cost: | Lower cost (at least operating costs) |
Transition: | Easier and faster transition |
Payload: | Much larger payload (especially when the F-35 is carrying internally) |
Flight hours: | Expected 20,000 flight hours compared to 8,000 |
It is also easier to transition to the F-15EX than the all-new F-35. After all, it has an upward of 70% parts commonality with the F-15C and E. It can also use almost the same ground equipment, hangars, simulators, and other support gear as the older Eagles. Squadrons can transition to the F-15EX far quicker than to the F-35s.
Photo: US Air Force
Faced with budget restraints, the Air Force has also relied more on 4.5th-generation aircraft rather than switching to a complete 5th-generation fleet. 4.5th-generation aircraft enjoy some advantages over the more modern 5th-generation fighter jets. One is that they are generally cheaper to produce and operate. The second is that the F-15 is able to carry a large payload.
F-35s are limited to carrying their ordnance internally (at least if they want to keep stealthy). This limits how much ordinance it can carry. Carrying weapons externally decreases the stealth profile. At that point, it often makes more sense just to use a non-stealthy F-15EX.
Another advantage of the F-15EX is that it is expected to have a much larger number of flight hours than the F-35. According to The EurAsian Times, it is predicted to have 20,000 flight hours compared to the F-35's 8,000.
While the F-15EX can hardly compete head-on with the fifth-generation F-35, it can perform different duties. For example, it can be used as a bomb truck when the stealthy F-35 isn't necessary. It may be able to follow in behind with more missiles after the F-35 has already cleared the way, softening up enemy air defense.
Related
Why The F-15 Eagle Has Never Been Shot Down
After nearly five decades in service, the F-15 Eagle remains undefeated, but how has the iconic fighter managed to maintain a perfect record?
Costing more than the F-35?
The cost advantage seems to have waned in recent years, and it is now reported that the F-15EX may cost more than the F-35. The flyaway cost of the F-15EX Eagle II is now around $90-97 million, or around $7.5 million more than the base price for an F-35A. It is reported that the average flyaway cost of F-35 jets for 2023, 2024, and 2025 is as low as $82.5 million.
Flyaway cost:
- F-15EX: $90-97 million
- F-35: $82.5 million (base cost)
Photo: US Air Force
However, flyaway cost is only part of the cost of procuring an aircraft. The F-15EX has a lower cost per flight hour and will likely work out cheaper over the long term. That said, caution should be taken when comparing the costs between different aircraft types. According to Breaking Defense, even the definition of what is included in "flyaway cost" for the F-15EX and F-35 differs somewhat.
