The F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Is Much More Than An 'Upgraded' F-15
Summary and Key Points: The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing recently received the first two Boeing F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, marking a significant step in modernizing their fleet.
-These advanced multirole fighters, set to replace the aging F-15C Eagles, boast enhanced radar, electronic warfare capabilities, and the ability to carry a variety of advanced ordnance.
-The 142nd Wing, tasked with providing aerospace superiority from Canada to California, will receive a total of 18 F-15EXs.
-The aircraft's new electronic warfare suite, EPAWSS, provides advanced situational awareness and self-protection against modern threats.
The F-15EX Eagle II is Soaring Over Oregon
Days after the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing received the first two operational aircraft. Last Friday, the Portland Air National Guard Base (ANGB) welcomed the multirole all-weather fighters in a ceremony attended by elected and military officials, as well as aviation enthusiasts, who were able to get the first up-close look at the aircraft that is on track to replace the aging F-15C Eagle aircraft currently operated by the unit.
A total of 18 F-15EX Eagle IIs are set to be delivered to the 142nd Wing, while the United States Air Force will eventually obtain nearly 100 of the aircraft to be its fleet of fighter jets.
"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," said Brigadier General Alan Gronewold, adjutant general for the Oregon National Guard.
Gronewold further praised the importance of the F-15EX and what it means not only for the 142nd Wing, but for the entire Air Force, and the capabilities the Eagle II brings in protecting the skies of North America. The 142nd Wing, which is charged with providing aerospace superiority from Canada to the California border while supporting USNORTHCOM and NORAD, is one of three ANG units set to operate the modernized F-15 Eagle. The other units include the 144th Fighter Wing, based at the Fresno ANGB, California; and the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans ANGB, Louisiana.
"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," Gronewold continued.
Fly Like an Eagle
Eagle jet fighters will continue to soar over the skies of the Pacific Northwest – as the F-15 Eagle first arrived at the Portland ANGB in late May 1989, replacing the aging F-4 Phantom II. What is notable this time is that the 142nd Wing is receiving the Eagles II as they're being hatched.
The previous flock of Eagles had first been F-15s that came from the 318th Fighter Interceptor Group, based at McChord Air Force Base (AFB), Washington, as the unit was being disbanded.
"For the next 20 years, the 142nd flew the F-15 A/B models, including the last A model in the U.S. Air Force inventory, which was retired on Sept. 16, 2009, while phasing in upgraded C and D models in late 2007," the National Guard explained. "These newer models featured improved fuel efficiency, radar and avionics. The F-15EX Eagle II model is an all-weather multirole strike fighter, which will work alongside the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II."
A More Deadly Eagle
Boeing, which produces the F-15EX, has touted the capabilities of the aircraft – highlighting it is much more than just an upgraded Eagle.
Greg "Sherlock" Watson, F-15EX Eagle II program manager for the U.S. Air Force told Simple Flying that the radar and electronic warfare suite of the Eagle II are incredibly sophisticated and could even outweigh the need for stealth in some cases. He further highlighted that the F-15EX can carry a variety of advanced ordnance, notably the new RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM) that has been employed on the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornets. RIM-174 is based off of the sea service's Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) surface-to-air missile used on Arliegh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers.
"There's a gap in what's called the kill chain. So it's the ability to prosecute targets, to deny the enemy the ability to hit our guys. This airplane flies higher, farther, faster, can carry more weapons, can carry bigger weapons than anything else in the Air Force arsenal. This is the apex predator of fighter airplanes," Watson explained in an interview with Simple Flying.
Though the F-15EX lacks any stealth capabilities, the aircraft has been equipped with a new electronic warfare (EW) suite, produced by BAE Systems.
In April, the Air Force completed the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation of the Eagle Passive Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) – which upgraded the EW capabilities of both the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II.
"EPAWSS was designed for upgradeability and rapid capability insertion," said Amy Nesbitt, EPAWSS program manager at BAE Systems. "We're using agile software development to provide iterative upgrades to fielded EW systemsallowing our customers to defeat future electromagnetic threats."
According to BAE Systems, the EPAWSS offers "several instantaneous full-spectrum EW capabilitiesincluding radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection. The system enables freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by modern integrated air defense systems."
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
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