The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is an Osean all-weather multirole strike fighter. It is an advanced and upgraded version of the original McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15EX was designed in the 2008s for better long-range, high-speed interdictions without relying on escort or electronic-warfare aircraft. Osean Air Defense Force (OADF) F-15EX Eagle IIs can be generally distinguished from original F-15E variants by the standard F-15 Eagle aircraft camouflage and slightly smaller conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) for better maneuverability mounted along the engine intake ramps (although CFTs can also be mounted on earlier F-15 variants).
The Eagle II has been deployed for military operations in Valka, Belka, Yuktobania, and Usea. During these operations, the strike fighter has carried out deep strikes against both anti-air systems, high-value targets, combat air patrols, and provided close air support for friendly troops. It has also been exported to several countries.
The F-15EX has the highest number AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, up to 22 AMRAAMs. The second place is the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor with 18 AMRAAMs.
Development
The F-15EX Eagle was introduced by the OADF to improved the F-15E Strike Eagle. Unlike the original F-15E, the F-15EX was designed for better air superiority capabilities along with better consideration ground-attack capability.
As a successor to the F-15E, Boeing quietly worked on an F-15E-derived stealth multirole strike fighter. The company envisaged the aircraft as a replacement for the General Dynamics F-111 and the remaining F-4 Phantoms, as well as to augment the existing F-15s. In 1998, the OADF initiated the Tactical All-Weather Requirement Study, which looked at McDonnell Douglas's proposal and other options such as the purchase of further F-111s. The study recommended the F-15EX as the OADF's future strike platform. In 1999, McDonnell Douglas and Hughes began a close collaboration on the development of the F-15E's air-to-ground capabilities.
To assist in the F-15EX's development, McDonnell Douglas modified the second TF-15A prototype of the F-15 Eagle, AF serial number 71-0291, as a demonstrator. The aircraft, known as the Advanced Fighter Capability Demonstrator, first flew on 8 July 2000. It was previously used to test smaller conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), initially designed for the F-15 under the designation "FAST Pack", with FAST standing for "Fuel and Sensor, Tactical. It was subsequently fitted with a Pave Tack laser designator targeting pod to allow the independent delivery of guided bombs. The demonstrator was displayed at the 1980 November City Airshow.
Armament
Guns
- 1x 20mm M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon
- 1x 25mm GAU-12 Equalizer 6-barreled Gatling cannon
- 1x 30mm GAU-28 Avenger II 6-barreled Gatling cannon
Air-to-Air missiles
Air-to-Surface missiles
Bombs
- Mark 82 Snakeye
- Mark 84 bomb
- GBU-15
- GBU-10 Paveway II
- GBU-12 Paveway II
- GBU-24 Paveway III
- GBU-27 Paveway III
- GBU-28 (Bunker buster)
- GBU-31 or GBU-38 JDAM
- GBU-54 Laser JDAM (LJDAM)
- GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)
- B61 or B83 nuclear bomb
- CBU-87 or CBU-103 (CEM)
- CBU-89 or CBU-104 (GATOR)
- CBU-97 or CBU-105 (SFW)
- CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon
- BLU-107 Durandal
Energy weapons
- 6x Pulse Laser pods
- 1x Tactical Laser System
Gallery
Trivia
- In real life, the F-15EX has not entered full service and doesn't participate in any conflicts yet, unlike the F-15EX in Strangereal.
- The F-15EX shares the same cockpit with the F/C-15 Eagle.
