Update: US Air Force performs proof-of-concept that could increase JASSM capacity on F-15E
17 May 2021
by Pat Host
The US Air Force (USAF) on 11 May completed the Project Strike Rodeo (PSR) munitions proof-of-concept that validated loading five Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles (JASSMs) on a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, according to a service statement.
This lays the foundation for follow-on flight testing that would more than double the F-15E’s JASSM-carrying capacity. The maximum number of JASSMs that any fighter can carry is two.
An F-15E is loaded with five JASSMs at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on 11 May 2021 as part of Project Strike Rodeo. The JASSMs are the two weapons from the left. The most JASSMs that any USAF fighter can carry is two. (US Air Force)
F-15E Fighter Jets Can Now Be Loaded With Twice as Many JASSM Missiles 13 May 2021, 13:55 UTC ·
by 6 photos
It all started with a problem. Earlier this year, during a Weapons and Tactics Conference (WEPTAC), expert tacticians were analyzing whether a formation of fighter jets would be more effective than a single bomber, in carrying Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) for missions in highly-contested environments. This way, the size of the strike package could be reduced and risks would be distributed. But the problem was that a fighter jet can only carry maximum two JASSMs.
This is how the idea of enabling a fighter to carry more than two missiles was born and the F-15E Strike Eagle was chosen as a test jet. However, Project Strike Rodeo seemed to get stuck before it even began, because these particular munitions did not fit on the F-15E’s fuel tank weapons stations. The JASSM could only be loaded straight from its container, which was too big to fit under t
USAF
The Air Force loaded an F-15E fighter jet with twice as many cruise missiles as it normally carries.
The load test was part of a proof-of-concept known as Project Strike Rodeo.
The idea is that fighters able to self-escort could be used to conduct heavy bomber missions.
The US Air Force is looking at the possibility of using fighter jets armed with both air-to-air missiles and a heavy loadout of stand-off cruise missiles as heavy bomber aircraft able to self-escort in contested airspace and conduct devastating missile strikes.
This week, the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base armed an F-15E Strike Eagle with five AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs), more than twice what the plane would normally carry.
F-15E Strike Eagle Loaded With Five AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) For The First Time
F-15E Strike Eagle Loaded With Five AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs) For The First Time
An F-15E Strike Eagle is loaded with five JASSMs at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 11, 2021 as part of Project Strike Rodeo. Led by the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Project Strike Rodeo is a munitions proof-of-concept that lays the foundation for follow-on flight testing that would more than double the F-15E’s current JASSM-carrying capacity. (All images: USAF)
As part of Project Strike Rodeo, an F-15E Strike Eagle was loaded with five AGM-158 JASSMs.