Boeing F-15EX Eagle II
Boeing · United States · first flew 2021 · fighter
The F-15EX Eagle II is the most advanced variant of the long-lived Eagle family, combining a rebuilt airframe with a modern open-mission systems architecture and a staggering weapons payload.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.43 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-tail F-15 airframe with conformal fuel tanks as standard
- Fly-by-wire controls and Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS)
- Largest weapons payload of any US fighter — up to 13,300 kg on 23 hardpoints
Identified by the classic F-15 twin-tail silhouette with a broad strake and twin engines exhausting between the tails. Conformal fuel tanks running along the fuselage spine are standard fit. Distinguishable from F-15E by sharper cockpit systems and often a cleaner livery.
Specifications
- The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II has a length of 19.43 m (64 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.05 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 3017 km/h (1875 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 or 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Boeing offered the EX to the US Air Force as a bridge solution to fill fleet gaps while the F-35 programme matures. The first aircraft flew in February 2021, and the USAF ordered an initial batch to replace ageing F-15C/Ds. The airframe incorporates lessons from F-15SA export variants built for Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Variants
The single-seat F-15EX and two-seat F-15EX (dual) are the primary configurations. Earlier F-15C/D and F-15E Strike Eagle remain in service and share the basic airframe lineage.
Where you'll see it
Entered USAF service from 2021 with the 142nd Wing at Portland and the 104th Fighter Wing. It is expected to serve alongside F-35As for decades.
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