Boeing's F-15EX Eagle II: The Best Non-Stealth Fighter on Planet Earth?
Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Air Force's latest fighter, the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), marking a significant milestone.
-This advanced variant of the combat-proven F-15 Eagle, which first entered service nearly five decades ago, has been equipped with the new Eagle Passive Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) for enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. Some experts consider the F-15EX the best non-stealth fighter available today.
-Despite lacking stealth features, the F-15EX boasts impressive weapons carriage and advanced technology.
-The USAF plans to acquire at least 90 units, while international interest from countries like Israel and Poland could further bolster its presence in global defense markets.
Why the F-15EX Eagle II Is an Amazing Fighter
In late December, two Boeing F-15EX Eagle II arrived at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, joining two additional F-15EXs that had arrived earlier – the first in 2021. The aircraft have been used in ongoing tests on the all-weather multirole fighter, an advanced variant of the combat-proven F-15 Eagle that first entered service nearly five decades ago.
As of this month, a total of eight Eagle IIs have been delivered for further evaluation, and on Wednesday, the Air Force announced that the aircraft had passed its initial operational capability (IOC). As Aviation Week reported, the milestone was "technically a year late due to production problems," yet still fell within the Air Force's yearlong window for achieving the IOC.
"I just declared IOC for the F-15EX," said General Kenneth Wilsbach, chief of the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC) during remarks on a webinar hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
"That's going to be a tremendous platform for us because of its 4th-gen-plus capability and external weapons carriage," Wilsbach added. "The F-15EX can carry some immense weapons that can go a long way. And so that F-15EX and that F-15E will continue to be important platforms."
No Stealth, But Still Capable Warbird
Though the F-15EX lacks any stealth capabilities, the aircraft have been equipped with a new electronic warfare (EW) suite, produced by BAE Systems.
In April, the Air Force completed the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation of the Eagle Passive Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) – which upgraded the EW capabilities of both the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II.
"EPAWSS was designed for upgradeability and rapid capability insertion," said Amy Nesbitt, EPAWSS program manager at BAE Systems. "We're using agile software development to provide iterative upgrades to fielded EW systemsallowing our customers to defeat future electromagnetic threats."
According to BAE Systems, the EPAWSS offers "several instantaneous full-spectrum EW capabilitiesincluding radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection. The system enables freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by modern integrated air defense systems."
The Eagle II is Ready to Soar
The U.S. Air Force is set to acquire at least ninety F-15EX, scaled back from the 144 aircraft the air service had originally sought to replace its aging fleet of F-15C/D models that are currently in service.
In addition, U.S. ally Israel has sought to acquire upwards of fifty F-15EX Eagle IIs, and the Middle Eastern state has been one of the principal operators of the F-15. The original Eagle and Strike Eagle has more than 100 air-to-air victories, most with the Israeli Air Force, while not a single F-15 has been shot down to date.
Poland, Indonesia, and other undisclosed countries have also been reported to be considering adopting the F-15EX, which Boeing has marketed as a low-cost alternative to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II. Now that the enhanced aircraft has reached this milestone, it is likely foreign sales could also move forward.
"We applaud [Wilsbach's] decision to declare initial operating capability for the F-15EX and are fully prepared to support our warfighter with this exceptional aircraft and many more fighters to come," said Mark Sears, vice president of Boeing Fighters, per Aviation Week.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
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