F-15EX

I'm not sure the 132 has any more Mil thrust. Never seen that claimed. But even if it did it would not be close to F135 levels of power.

On the topic of the 1.4M CFT stores limit a few things occurred to me. The whole reason the EX is even happening is because the Saudis paid for the development (pretty sure the SA was the first advanced eagle, I could be wrong). What did this development include? Certifying the FBW, Certifying stations 1/9 for all the munitions to be carried there, and a few other things I am not thinking of at the moment. Point being, they had to do a whole new round of stores carriage and separation tests anyway. They may have decided to not do any testing of the CFT stores, or they may have to expand the envelope. The 1.4M CFT stores limit is no longer a certain quality.

It's being bought as an F-15C replacement. It's biggest issue won't be Flankers, but SAMs.

Well max performing your aircraft isn't just for dogfights, I think there are times in BVR where you also need to max perform, Certainly when getting shot at by SAMs too I think

I read that it produced a maximum thrust of 34,000 LBS during testing. With will & dollars, who is to say that it couldn't be tweaked a bit to produce more thrust and reduce fuel burn?

The AN/ASG-34 IRST-equipped Legion Pod offers far more robust and automated functionality and can quickly spot and track multiple targets at far beyond visual range. It also provides actual targeting information so the pilot can engage threats using the IRST for targeting alone, or in conjunction with other sensors, which offers important advantages.

This additional means of spotting, tracking, and engaging aircraft passively eliminates the chance of alerting potential opponents that they've been detected, unlike radar that can give away the attacking aircraft's presence and even its location. On top of all this, the IRST provides an alternative to the radar in electronic warfare-heavy (jamming) combat environments and radar-evading design features on stealth aircraft have no effect on the IRST. It depends on the aircraft's infrared signature alone.

Source: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/2 ... -in-alaska

Q5: Can you describe IRST21 and Legion Pod’s performance as compared to legacy systems? How much better is it?
A5: We can share that there are increases in target discrimination and detection as well as enhanced range and tracking capabilities in radar-denied environments. Upgrades of the Block II production system are in development and will provide even greater performance improvements.

Source: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/pr ... ystem.html

1.4 is with CFT mounted weapons. And yes, historical evidence says all combat ops, even air to air, are done with wing mounted drop tanks and targeting pods.

Not if they're flying A2A missions, which being F-15C replacements, they'd be doing more often than not.

I am very specifically referring to the times F-15E has been sent on CAP/Air Superiority missions in the past. There used to be a website that listed all known combat loadouts with reference images. I was shocked to see A-A missions flown, more shocked at the TGPs still being carried. Useful for ID I guess.

F-15E AA.PNG

Again, there's only so much you can extrapolate from F-15E configurations, as their primary mission is A2G, so it's doubtful they'll remove pods for other missions. The EX is primarily being bought to replace F-15Cs, so like I said, they'll carry an IRST pod if anything.

Indonesia is latest to indicate interest in the F-15EX to fly alongside the Rafale. If they do buy it, they would end up with a hodgepodge of fighters like (or even worse than) India.

http://alert5.com/2021/02/19/indonesias ... uy-f-15ex/

To compete, Pratt would have to integrate its F100 engine with the F-15EX’s digital, fly-by-wire flight control system. The solicitation said that while integration could take place “concurrently” with production, the engine would have to be certified for the aircraft before delivery.

The Air Force set minimum performance parameters for the F-15EX engine:

Maximum thrust: No less than 28,500 pounds
Intermediate thrust: No less than 17,000 pounds
Maximum Diameter: No more than 46.5 inches
Maximum weight: No more than 4,000 pounds
Both Pratt and GE’s engines can meet those requirements.

In a statement, GE Aviation noted that its F110-GE-129 is “the only engine certified for the F-15 Advanced Eagle” and is “ready to serve the U.S. Air Force right now.” The engine increases mission readiness rates and capability because of its “cost-effective, high-performance operation, as well as its safety and reliability,” the company said.

The F110 family has passed 10 million flight hours and some 3,400 have been ordered worldwide, the company said.

Source: https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-o ... mpetition/

Indonesia will purchase F-15EX jets from Boeing and Rafale fighter aircraft from France between 2021 and 2024, the head of its air force said on Thursday.

According to the meeting’s summary document, Indonesia plans to buy 36 Rafale and eight F-15EX jets, with six of the latter expected to arrive by 2022.

Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/i ... ts/2149103

IDF/AF puts any F-15 purchase on hold.......(maybe permanently)



It’s Official: KC-46 Tankers And More F-35s For Israel, But No Advanced F-15s For Now

Assisted by U.S. financing, the Israeli Air Force will boost its stealth fleet and overhaul its tanker and rotary-lift capabilities.

By Thomas Newdick February 22, 2021

The War Zone


QUOTE: For now, at least, Boeing’s hopes of selling more F-15s to Israel will have to be put on hold.


https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3 ... 5s-for-now

If I were GE, I would throw in the upgrade kits (to the -132 standard) to sweeten the deal

the first of these aircraft returned to the air today in St. Louis, Missouri, with a newly applied, F-15C/D-style service color scheme. The markings include the tail codes of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and its resident 40th Flight Test Squadron, which will be charged with proving out the jet in the months to come.

Reportedly, this was the aircraft’s first flight in the hands of an Air Force test pilot, rather than one from Boeing.

Source: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3 ... rce-colors

Oh cool! It's actually a Light Grey Eagle! I still see the CFT-E pylons sticking out of the shadows too.

She's (it's) lookin' the part:)

Honestly, I would have went with a camo that looked to the future. Instead of one looking to the past! Just makes the F-15EX look old...........(just saying)