The F-15EX Eagle II has been the most notable subject of recent months. The USA, which is
proud of being the pioneer of 5th generation aircraft, turned its route to a 4th + generation.
This decision naturally causes controversy. It is too early to do a comprehensive analysis
of the F-15EX. However, as the Weapon Detective, we think it would be appropriate to share
a short analysis about the Eagle II. Please don't forget to subscribe to our channel,
before we start and give us a thumbs up if you like our video. To be notified of our
new video, please click the bell button. In the last 20 years, many have claimed that
the 4th and 4th + generation combat aircraft are a waste of time and money in this modern
era. But, nowadays, even the US Air Force has decided to take a step back. Let's take
a brief look at the F-15EX, the embodiment of this decision.
In 2018, the USA began to consider the acquisition of a new model of the Eagle as a replacement
for its ageing F-15C/D fleet. So, Boeing offered to develop a new variant
called F-15EX. This variant is based on F-15QA produced for
the Qatar Emiri Air Force. In 2020, the US Department of Defense ordered
eight fighters over three years for 1.2 billion US dollars.
On February 2, 2021, the F-15EX made its first flight.
A month later, the US Air Force received the first aircraft for further testing.
The US Air Force has already requested a budget to procure an additional 12 F-15EX in the
2021 Fiscal Year. It plans to order a total of 76 aircraft in the next five years. The
US Air Force intends to have a total of 144 Eagle II.
The F-15EX is much more advanced than the previous variant of the legendary Eagle.
First of all, it has a fly-by-wire flight control system.
The aircraft has more powerful powerplants. These two features make the F-15EX more agile.
Also, the aircraft has superior avionics and electronic systems.
For example, the flat-panel glass cockpit and advanced ADCP-II mission computer reduce
the workload of the pilot. The JHMCS II helmet-mounted display and low-profile
heads-up display increase the dogfight capability. The F-15EX's detection, identifying, and tracking
capabilities were improved thanks to the APG-82 active electronically scanned array radar
and the Legion Pod-mounted infrared search and track system.
The Eagle II has more advanced communication systems than its predecessors. The Eagle Passive
Active Warning Survivability System electronic warfare and electronic surveillance suite
increase the survivability of the aircraft. During a single sortie, the F-15EX can carry
22 air-to-air missiles, or eight air-to-air missiles and 28 Small Diameter Bombs, or up
to seven 2,000-pound bombs and eight air-to-air missiles, thanks to its new AMBER missile
carrying racks. It has a 20,000 flying hour lifetime.
Previous F-15 variants had only 8,000 hours. Yes, the F-15EX is not a stealth fighter like
the F-35. But today, the stealth technology of the 5th
generation aircraft has turned into a burden rather than a blessing. The procurement, operating,
and life-cycle costs of the 5th generation aircraft are absurdly high.
Besides, the design with an internal weapon bay causes some severe limitations.
The US Air National Guard is responsible for defending 93 per cent of homeland airspace.
It has no risk of encountering any combat aircraft other than the Tu-95 Bear and Tu-160
Blackjacks, excluding Alaska. The US Air National Guard does not really
need a stealth fighter to intercept these bombers.
Also, outside of the US homeland, the USA and its allies are encountering 4th and 4th+
combat aircraft at best. There are not enough 5th generation Su-57
and J-20 to threaten the Western World. Most probably, there would be a smaller amount
of Su-57 and J-20 in the foreseeable future than the current amount of F-22 and F-35s.
In a possible large scale war, the stealth aircraft would destroy or neutralize the air
defence capability of the enemy in a matters of weeks. After that, there would be no need
for 5th generation aircraft for close air support and battlefield air interdiction missions.
Also, thanks to its advanced electronic warfare systems and long-range weaponry, the F-15EX
would be highly effective in the mission of suppression and destruction of enemy air defences.
There are two options; to continue procuring the overly priced Lightning II or supplement
it with a fairly priced, highly capable 4th+ generation aircraft that has a tremendous
weapon capability. Of course, the second option is more sensible.
The F-15EX is not an alternative to the F-35 in general terms. But, in some parts of the
world or for some specific missions, the Eagle II is one of the real options to the Lightning
II. Also, the US aviation industry now could compete
with the cheaper alternatives of European competitors in some tenders.
By this transition, the US Air Force acknowledges that it also needs simpler and lower cost
systems to deal with today's threats. For now, we shared this short analysis with you.
In the upcoming days, we intend to prepare a more comprehensive Weapon Detective content
about the F-15EX for our viewers. Thanks for watching our video. And please
don't forget to subscribe to our channel and give us a thumbs up if you like our video.
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