By Craig Hoyle2021-04-08T13:30:00+01:00
The US Air Force has formally named its F-15EX fighter the “Eagle II”, as it prepares to launch test and evaluation work on the new platform at Eglin AFB in Florida.
“Undefeated in aerial combat, the F-15 Eagle epitomised air superiority in the minds of our enemies, allies, and the American people for over 45 years, but it was not meant to fly forever,” Lieutenant General Duke Richardson, office of the assistant secretary of the air force for acquisition, technology, and logistics military deputy said on 7 April.
Source: US Air Force
The US Air Force formally named its new fighter at Eglin AFB on 7 April
By JIM THOMPSON | The Walton Sun | Published: April 7, 2021 EGLIN AFB, Fla. (Tribune News Service) Three weeks ago, it got a home. And now, the new F-15EX fighter jet has a name: Eagle II. The name for the new Boeing-produced jet, the first of which arrived last month at Eglin Air Force Base and the second of which is on its way, was announced as that first jet was officially unveiled Wednesday morning inside a base hangar. And while the F-15EX is unmistakably part of the line of F-15 fighter jets that have been flying since 1972, it is a thoroughly modern aircraft.
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Apr 08, 2021 10:56 AM EDT
(Photo : U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers/wikipedia) Capt. Matt Bruckner, an F-15 Eagle pilot assigned to the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing, at Langley Air Force Base, Va., flies a combat air patrol mission 7 October 2007 over Washington, D.C., in support of Operation Noble Eagle. The aircraft is a McDonnell Douglas F-15C-35-MC Eagle (s/n 83-0026).
The United States Air Force calls the new F-15EX Fighter it recently got the Eagle II. It was named such after it was unveiled in a ceremony.
Eagle II takes flight.
The new F-15EX Fighter had a ceremony at the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where the first delivered unit is under test and evaluation. Present during the ceremonies were Lt. Gen. Mike Loh, Air National Guard director, and Lt. Gen. Duke Richardson, military deputy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Leanne Caret, presid
Air Force Unveils F-15EX Eagle II
Image: U.S. Air Force/Samuel King Jr.
The U.S. Air Force officially introduced the F-15EX in an unveiling and naming ceremony at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base on Wednesday. Intended to replace the Air Force’s F-15C/D models, the newly named the Eagle II features fly-by-wire flight controls, digital cockpit displays and advanced avionics systems. The Air Force currently plans to procure up to 144 F-15EXs with the goal of increasing “F-15 fleet fighter readiness.”
“Undefeated in aerial combat, the F-15 Eagle epitomized air superiority in the minds of our enemies, allies, and the American people for over 45 years, but it was not meant to fly forever,” said Lt. Gen. Duke Richardson. “We heard the demand signal from our warfighters. I’m pleased to say we’ve responded boldly and decisively, with a proven platform that’s modernized and optimized to maintain air superiority now and into the future.”
The Boeing-made fighter completed its maiden flight at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Missouri, in February.
Following the successful flight, the Air Force accepted the first F-15EX at Eglin March 10; the second is expected to arrive this month. The remaining six aircraft should be delivered in fiscal 2023, according to the service.
Last year, the Air Force awarded Boeing an estimated $1.2 billion contract to build the multirole F-15EX fighter, using the same design as the F-15, but incorporating modernized electronics and technology.
The contract covers eight jets, including initial design; development, test and certification; spare parts and support equipment; training and technical data; and delivery and sustainment costs.