The US Air Force performed a 90-minute maiden flight on it brand new F-15EX Eagle fighter jet from St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri on Feb 2.
The fighter is the first of two aircraft that are scheduled to be delivered for testing by March 2021. The F-15EX took to the air for the first time to test out its basic handling, avionics, and software.
The US Air Force awarded Boeing a $23 billion contract to fulfill an urgent requirement for cutting edge fighters.
According to Boeing vice president and F-15 program manager Pratyush Kumar the maiden flight ensured the fighter jet is safe and ready to join the country’s fighter fleet. He noted that Boeing’s workforce is happy to build a modern fighter aircraft for the US Air Force.
F-15EX Features/Capabilities
- Has advanced missile carrying racks.
- The racks ensure the jet will can carry more weapons than any other fighter in its class.
- The fighter will be able to carry 22 missiles during a single sortie
- The fighter aircraft has a capability to launch missiles over 20 feet long (6 meters) weighing up to 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilos).
- Another advanced feature includes a revised internal wing structure
- Updated radio, and satellite communications capabilities.
- Highly advanced Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) electronic warfare and surveillance suite.
- The fighter has unmatched in its range and payload capacity.
According commander of Air Combat Command General Mike Holmes, F-15EX fighter is the most affordable and immediate way to refresh the capacity and update the capabilities provided by our aging F-15C/D fleets.
The F-15EX jet is expected to reach initial operational capability by 2024 and will have sufficient structural life to serve through 2050.
