Thus far, only two F-15EXs have been delivered, and both saw action during the exercises.
The war game, dubbed Northern Edge 21, saw the new F-15EX integrating with the older air-superiority workhorse F-15Cs they re slated to replace, as well as the fighter s fifth-generation counterparts in the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
It also accompanied F-15E, or Strike Eagles, which are versions of the famed fighter designed specifically for air-to-ground engagements. The two F-15EXs flew alongside a force of as many as 50 jets as they closed with and engaged an aggressor force of similar size and capability.
Lt. Col. John O Rear of the 84th Test and Evaluation Squadron told
Air Force
the F-15EX tallied some kills, but also took some losses. O Rear said the performance met expectations, as any simulated adversary worth practicing against would naturally be strong enough to inflict losses. ➡️ Must-Read
The F-15EX is the latest version of the F-15 Eagle series of fighters. After entering service in the late 1970s, the Eagle was a mainstay among the Air Force s air superiority fighters for more than two decades. The Air Force originally used the F-15 to replace the F-22 Raptor, but it purchased fewer than 200 F-22s before the fighter program ended, forcing the service to retain hundreds of older F-15Cs.
Northern Edge 21 Wraps Up Achieving Important Testing Goals Of New Capabilities For The Joint Forces
Northern Edge 21 Wraps Up Achieving Important Testing Goals Of New Capabilities For The Joint Forces
A view from the cockpit of the U-2 Dragon Lady as it flies over the USS Roosevelt during Northern Edge 21. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Beale AFB)
The high-end realistic scenario of Northern Edge 21 allowed testers to assess the behaviour of new systems and upgrades before their fielding to frontline units.
Northern Edge 21, the premier bi-annual joint exercise of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, took place this year through May 3 to May 14 in locations in and around Alaska. The exercise, which involved Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy, recreated high-end realistic warfighter training to practice tactics, techniques and procedures and to improve command, control and communication relationships, improving the joint interoperability and enhancing the combat readiness in a large force employ
RIP: New F-15EX Fighters Were Killed in a Recent Wargame nationalinterest.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nationalinterest.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.