In the ever-evolving arena of aerial warfare, the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II, affectionately known as the “Super Eagle,” is redefining what it means to dominate the skies with an armament capacity that may position it as the most heavily armed fighter jet to date. With capabilities to carry a vast array of missiles and a focus on versatility over stealth, the F-15EX is a formidable presence in the USAF’s inventory.
The first of this advanced variant, rooted in the F-15QA developed for Qatar, was delivered to Eglin Air Force Base on March 11, 2021, with a second arriving on April 20, 2021, for operational testing. The next six jets are on track for delivery in 2023, with an eventual plan to phase out the aging F-15C/D fleet, signaling a significant shift in the USAF’s approach to air combat readiness.
This new iteration of the Eagle lineage is not just an incremental upgrade; it is a leap forward in combat capabilities. Digital fly-by-wire flight controls, a Large Area Display (LAD) glass-cockpit with touchscreen interface, and advanced radar systems such as the APG-82 AESA are only the beginning. The addition of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) and the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) ensure pilot safety and effectiveness in hostile environments.
One of the most striking aspects of the F-15EX is its armament flexibility, highlighted on August 30 when the 53rd Wing took the Eagle II to the skies armed with a potent mix of twelve Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and three Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), the latter successfully launched during tests at Eglin Air Force Base. This armament capacity is a significant increase from the eight missiles that previous F-15 models, such as the F-15A, F-15C, and F-15E, could carry.
At the heart of this expansion is the Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack (AMBER) system, which increases the aircraft’s air-to-air missile capacity by 50 percent to 12, totaling 23 weapon stations. The AMBER racks are game-changers, enabling the F-15EX to function as a “missile truck” in collaborative engagements with fifth-generation fighters like the stealthy F-35 Lightning II.
Unlike the F-35, which must internalize its munitions to maintain its stealth profile, the F-15EX has no such limitations. It can freely carry an assortment of weapons externally, with the trade-off of a reduction in speed and maneuverability due to the increased load. This allows the F-15EX to pack a balanced arsenal, capable of striking heavily defended targets with its JASSM cruise missiles, followed by engaging enemy aircraft with its formidable air-to-air combat load.
Relevant articles:
– F-15EX Eagle II Archives, Air & Space Forces Magazine
– 15EX Eagle II the Most Heavily Armed Fighter Ever?, Popular Mechanics
– F-15 Eagle, af.mil