The F-15EX Eagle II, the newest version of the legendary F-15 Eagle, brings a series of new capabilities to the jet. Thanks to powerful engines, the fighter plane can reach speeds close to Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound, according to a Boeing executive.
In an interview with journalist Steve Trimble from Aviation Week, F-15EX program director Rob Novotny said the jet has a maximum not to be exceeded (VNE) speed of Mach 2.9, about 3580 km/h at sea level. In comparison, the legacy F-15 has VNE of Mach 2.5 at high altitude.
However, the F-15EX only reaches this speed in a clean configuration, that is, without carrying weapons or being equipped with conformal fuselage tanks (CFT).“Yeah, it’s quick”, said the former United States Air Force pilot. “, we are testing when it is clear”, he said. “So you’re not carrying a lot of stuff. And in this air show configuration, with the two big GE [F110-GE-]229 engines, it produces 29.500 pounds of thrust each.”
About three months ago, a demonstration of a Qatari F-15QA Ababil – similar to the F-15EX – in Dubai showed how the most modern variants of the Eagle perform when in clean configuration. The huge fighter's performance surprised spectators and caught media attention. The Qatari aircraft uses the same engines as the F-15EX.
In addition to the high power of General Electric's engines, Boeing is producing the F-15EX with lighter materials. New equipment, such as computers and radios, also weighs less. These and many other factors contribute to the Eagle II being one of the fastest aircraft in the world today. Still, first place remains with Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, which had a maximum (official) speed of Mach 3.2, making it the fastest jet aircraft in history.
Speed, in fact, has been with the F-15 since its genesis. The US created the plane as a response to MiG-25 Foxbat from the former Soviet Union, a huge fighter-interceptor, capable of reaching Mach 2.8 (some sources cite Mach 3). Above this, however, it could suffer extensive engine damage due to overheating. The MiG-25 gave way to the MiG-31 Foxhound, still in service and capable of reaching 3000 km/h, also at high altitude.
As the magazine notes, the F-15EX's maximum speed in combat situations will be dictated by the weapons and other equipment it carries. Novotny reinforced this information, stating that the limiting factor will be the limitation of the material loaded. not from the plane.
Officially unveiled in April 2021, the F-15EX incorporates an AESA radar, panoramic touch display, advanced electronic warfare suite and a mission computer that, according to Boeing, is the fastest in the world. The F-15EX will replace the older F-15C/D Eagle, while complementing the capabilities of the 22th generation F-35 and F-5 fighters.
The US Air Force ordered 144 planes but reduced the order to 80 aircraft, increasing again to 104 fighters in November 2023. In addition to the United States, Israel and Indonesia also want to buy the F-15EX.
