The US Air Force’s new Boeing F-15EX has passed its initial operational capability (IOC) milestone, Air Combat Command chief General Kenneth Wilsbach announced on 10 July.
Speaking on a webinar hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Wilsbach stated “I just declared IOC for the F-15EX.” The milestone was reached a year later than planned due to production delays. A buffer of one year was later planned for the IOC.
A total of six aircraft have been delivered to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for developmental and operational testing and the Oregon Air National Guard has recently received two operational F-15EXs. Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon will take delivery of 18 F-15EXs as replacements for the F-15Cs of the 123rd Fighter Squadron. A total of 90 F-15EXs are expected to be procured for the USAF to replace its ageing fleet of F-15C/Ds. Additionally, Israel is planning to acquire 50 platforms.
The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is a multirole strike fighter developed from the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. It was created in response to the US Department of Defense’s study in 2018, aimed at updating the ageing F-15C/D fleet due to a shortage of F-22s, F-35 program delays, and the need to maintain diversity in the U.S. fighter industrial base.
The F-15EX is designed to replace the F-15C/D for homeland security and air defence missions and to provide a cost-effective platform for using large stand-off weapons alongside the F-22 and F-35. The first deliveries of the aircraft were made in 2021, and it became operational in July 2024.
The F-15EX belongs to the F-15 Advanced Eagle aircraft family, which is an advancement of the F-15E design. This development began with the F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) which took its first flight in 2013 and continued with the F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) which first flew in 2020. The F-15EX in its Advanced Eagle configuration represents the latest standard in F-15 production.
The F-15EX is equipped with advanced avionics, including a new digital cockpit, modern radar systems, and improved electronic warfare systems. These upgrades significantly enhance its capabilities, providing greater situational awareness and more effective combat performance.
Additionally, the F-15EX has an increased weapons payload capacity, allowing it to carry more and larger munitions compared to previous F-15 models.
It maintains the high-speed performance of its predecessors, reaching a top speed of approximately Mach 2.5. Its range is also extended due to the inclusion of conformal fuel tanks and other design improvements, making it a versatile and powerful asset for the US Air Force.
