Iconic Fighter Jet Makes a Comeback

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

One of the United States’ and the world’s most iconic fighter jets is staged to make a comeback. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the United States Air Force is set to acquire new F-15 Eagle fighter jets to fly alongside the F-22 and the F-35 fighter jets. The F-15’s main advantage over other American fighter jets is its ability to carry a large number of missiles relative to other jets. F-15s are often used to escort other fighter jets to their mission, due to the aircraft’s high weapons capacity.

The F-15 Eagle flew its first flight in the 70s, by the late 70s the aircraft was considered to be operational within the United States Air Force. Up until the late 80s, the F-15 was used exclusively for air to air combat, eventually it has been modified to strike ground targets as well. Popularmechanics.com reports that the United States Air Force purchased the last F-15s in 2001.

Even though the United States stopped purchasing the F-15, other nations still purchased the fighter, thus continuing Boeing’s effort to develop and produce the plane. In 2018, Boeing pitched its newest variant to the F-15, the F-15EX, designed to fly alongside the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in missions.

The F-15EX has been designed to include all the latest technology, as well as the ability to carry up to 22 medium range, air to air missiles, compared to the F-35’s ability to carry only up to four missiles. Airforcemag.com reports that the new F-15EX will feature a more powerful mission computer, new cockpit displays, and a new electronic warfare and threat identification system.

The United States Air Force is planning to purchase two F-15EXs. The original plan was to purchase an initial eight jets, however Congress refused to fulfill that order, at least for now.