The F-15E is the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle variant dubbed the “Strike Eagle,” but the Boeing-made F-15EX was struck at the aerospace firm’s St. Louis, Missouri, facilities this year. However, the United States Air Force confirmed this month that it, working with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), had resumed deliveries of the F-15EX Eagle II to the Portland Air National Guard.

The F-15EX is a two-seat fighter with capabilities unique to the US Air Force. These include new fly-by-wire flight controls, improved weapons stations, and an enhanced electronic warfare suite, along with advanced radar and computers, conformal fuel tanks, and a strengthened airframe.

The Eagle II features a deep magazine that allows it to carry a load of advanced weapons, with a 28 percent larger payload than the older F-15E Strike Eagle variant. At the same time, the Eagle II will require only minimal additional training for existing F-15 pilots and little additional manpower compared with earlier versions of the F-15.

Production of the F-15EX was halted for more than four months from August 4 to November 17, causing delays to the US Air Force’s modernization........

© The National Interest