F-15EX

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.

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.

The F-15EX's will always carry CFT's and often external tanks too!

But they won't be carrying A2G targeting pods at all times (or even most of the time. For an A2A profile, the CFTs should provide plenty of range, without adding EFTs.

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

The EX isn't being bought (initially) to fly the E mission, which is why they'll be flown with only one crewman. This is why it's doubtful they'll be carrying Lantern/Sniper/Litening pods. If they carry a pod, it'll be the IRST21.

I guess we will have to wait and see... however... the F-15EX seen blading through Star Wars canyon with full AA configuration had everything you say it won't.

I guess we will have to wait and see... however... the F-15EX seen blading through Star Wars canyon with full AA configuration had everything you say it won't.

message-editor_1529957961706-sa2belly.jpg

That's not the EX. That's the Saudi version (F-15SA).

correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I understand it, the USAF is not buying the F-15EX to fill the "high performance" fighter role. They already have that in the F-22.

So if there is a mission where the likelihood of max performing your aircraft is higher than usual,
(i.e. no-fly zone in Syria where Flankers are allowed to get close) then the F-15EX will not be the 1st choice of the USAF for that mission.

Of course Boeing will sell it as a high performance fighter, put 4 missiles on it, no CFTs or EFTs, no pods and the F-15 can hold its own, but thats not it's intended role.

Having said that, we know the EX trumps the C model in avionics and S.A, but what about performance, given that it's basically an air to air configured E model. how will a similarly configured F-15C model compare?

how will a similarly configured F-15C model compare?

Probably pretty well. It has a much larger 9G envelope, thanks to its reinforced/ redesigned wings (internally) and fuselage, new flight control system, and expanded high alpha performance.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/1 ... fuel-tanks

GE’s advanced F110 engine has been significantly improved to adapt to the unique demands of the F-15EX. Built with capability in reserve, the F110 can adapt to changing global threats and mission needs for decades to come.

Source: https://www.geaviation.com/military/engines/f110-engine

Assuming the Air Force proceeds to purchase the "Advanced" Eagle, I am thinking, at least for state-side training and defense, the new jets will probably "just" carry CFTs...no 600 gallon fuel tanks, as the CFTs and internal fuel capacity of the Eagle will probably be sufficient for most sorties (at least air-to-air ones)

...the CFTs and internal fuel capacity of the Eagle will probably be sufficient for most sorties (at least air-to-air ones)

This much is true, we have just yet to see it actually happen. The image above with no tanks could very well be a loading process, i.e. load the wing mounted AAMs, then load the EFTs.

The current F110-GE-129 can be converted to the -132 configuration by installing the upgraded blisk fan and afterburner hardware.

Source: http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/1842/new-ge-engine-variant-for-emirati-f_16s-(mar.-15).html

That would be impressive.

correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I understand it, the USAF is not buying the F-15EX to fill the "high performance" fighter role. They already have that in the F-22.

So if there is a mission where the likelihood of max performing your aircraft is higher than usual,
(i.e. no-fly zone in Syria where Flankers are allowed to get close) then the F-15EX will not be the 1st choice of the USAF for that mission.

Of course Boeing will sell it as a high performance fighter, put 4 missiles on it, no CFTs or EFTs, no pods and the F-15 can hold its own, but thats not it's intended role.

Having said that, we know the EX trumps the C model in avionics and S.A, but what about performance, given that it's basically an air to air configured E model. how will a similarly configured F-15C model compare?

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

The cost difference between F110-GE-129 and F110-GE-132 must be significant for them to avoid the substantial boost in MIL.

Is someone worried the F110-GE-132 may be too close to F135 performance? 3-4k pounds of dry thrust would go a long way to boost F-15EX performance as an F-15E supplement. You could justify moving F-15E units out to secondary air defense roles while F-15EX roll into bolter strike missions while we wait for B-21.