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Not Stealth and Expensive? The F-15EX Eagle II, a modern upgrade of the classic F-15, is gaining traction with U.S. Air National Guard units and international buyers like Israel.

-Designed for multi-role missions, it excels in air-to-air combat with capabilities to fire 12 AMRAAMs and hypersonic missiles, supported by advanced radars and sensors like the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System.

-While critics question its high cost ($90-97M per unit) compared to the F-35, its speed (Mach 2.5+), payload capacity, and maneuverability make it ideal for homeland defense and supplementing stealth aircraft. Israel’s $18.82B order underlines its export appeal despite the debate.

F-15EX Eagle II: The Multirole Fighter Winning Global Support

The F-15EX Eagle II is already looking to be a popular option on the export market. Israel has ordered 50 of the fighters for its air force. These will be helpful in homeland defense and keep the skies safe from enemy aircraft – perhaps even to offer close air support for ground troops.

The deal is worth $18.82 billion. Israel will re-designate the F-15EX as the F-15IA (Israel Advanced). The Israelis also ordered AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

While the F-15EX is not stealthy, it still has advanced features that make it a popular choice for foreign militaries and for United States National Guard units.

So, this airplane is needed even though some have squawked about the price and its legitimate place in the modern air war order of battle.

The Air National Guard Is Excited to Receive the F-15EX

Notably, the Oregon Air National Guard showed off its Eagle IIs in July at the Portland Air Guard Base.

The F-15EX will replace the older F-15C Eagle models that were prominently featured by the Oregon Air National Guard for years. Oregon’s 142nd Wing will eventually see 18 F-15EXs added to its fleet.

Two Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighters armed with air-to-air missiles. Boeing handout.

The Oregon National Guard leader, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, said, “The F-15EX represents a significant leap in modernizing the 142nd Wing — enhancing our operational readiness and effectiveness to better protect our skies and communities,” Gronewold said. “It also provides an incredible opportunity for our airmen to train on one of the most significant fighter jets in the U.S. arsenal, ensuring seamless integration with active-duty units and fostering greater interoperability within the United States Air Force.”

The F-15EX will also be sent to the California Air National Guard and the Louisiana Air National Guard. Guard pilots should be excited about flying the modern fighter.

Take a Look at These Specs

The Boeing Eagle II is an all-weather multirole strike fighter. It has an excellent payload size, impressive range, and great speed.

It can carry 29,500 pounds with a full weapons loadout.

The range of its weapons are top-notch, especially when firing the AMRAAMs that Israel will use. The two-seater can even launch hypersonic missiles. The F-15EX will have a full suite of modern radars and sensors and an advanced cockpit.

The F-15EX has its own Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System for better situational awareness.

Look Out for These Missiles

Without stealthiness, the F-15EX will likely not be used for bombing purposes; it will be more of a standoff missile launcher (12 air-to-air missiles) with the maneuverability and speed to dogfight and survive in a contested environment.

It is a good support airplane for the F-35. The Eagle II detects the enemy with its APG-70 radar system and it can blast away with its array of weapons. The APG-70 can switch from air-to-ground targets to air-to-air targets with ease.

Speedy with Nice Acceleration

Two F110-GE-129 turbofan engines enable the airplane to accelerate from low power to high power in four seconds. The two engines produce 50,000 pounds of thrust with 750 gallons of fuel. The F-15EX is a MACH 2.5+ warbird.

Weapons Officer Is a Force Multiplier

The F-15EX is comfortable flying at night, in bad weather, and low to avoid enemy radar. On the two-seat version the weapons officer uses these systems to result in a force multiplier in combat. The pilot can focus on flying without having to operate the targeting and munitions systems, which are controlled by the back-seater.

There Are Critics Chirping on F-15EX Eagle II

Critics think the Air Force would be better off buying more F-35s since that jet is more advanced than the F-15EX.

F-35. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot, performs over Miami Beach, Fla., May 25, 2019. Olson performed the demo during both days of the Miami Beach Air and Sea Show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jensen Stidham)

The F-15EX is also expensive. They cost between $90 million and $97 million each. Boeing has a contract with the Air Force for 48 Eagle IIs for $3.9 billion.

Boeing originally thought they could sell the F-15EX for under $80 million but that price has creeped up leading critics to say that the program has become wasteful.

However, the F-15EX is perfect for air guard units and foreign sales. It has a multitude of advantages over the older F-15 models. Pilots will love its high speed, maneuverability, weapons, radar, and ability to survive in combat. The F-15EX is thus definitely worth it. Yes, it costs a lot, but it plugs a gap in the Air Force’s reserve fleet and will have a long future with the lucky air guard units that deploy it.

An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight for the first time out of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 26, 2021, prior to departure for Northern Edge 2021. The F-15EX brings next-generation combat technology to a highly successful fighter airframe that is capable of projecting power across multiple domains for the Joint Force. (U.S Air Force photo by 1st Lt Savanah Bray)

An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight for the first time out of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 26, 2021, prior to departure for Northern Edge 2021. The F-15EX brings next-generation combat technology to a highly successful fighter airframe that is capable of projecting power across multiple domains for the Joint Force. (U.S Air Force photo by 1st Lt Savanah Bray)

I especially like its ability to fire stand-off missiles to support the F-35 in combat and its close air support mission, which can supplement the F-16 Viper for ground attack roles. So, bring on more F-15EX Eagle IIs; they will serve well into the future.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.