Touted as a champion of air-to-air duels, the newest fighter in the US Air Force (USAF) arsenal, namely the F-15 Eagle II or familiarly called the F-15EX, continues to receive a series of trials to finalize weapon configurations, especially in air-to-air combat missions.
As in recent test firings, it was shown that the F-15EX can carry up to four air-to-air missiles more than the previous variant.
Flying over the Gulf of Mexico, two F-15EXs launched their first missiles from the two new weapon stations, known as Stations 1 and 9, on November 29, 2022.
Major Jeremy Schnurbusch, pilot of the 40th Flight Test Squadron, launched the AIM-9X missile, and Major Brett Hughes of the Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force launched the AIM-120. Both pilots launch missiles at the target drone on separate trajectories.
The two new weapon stations allow the F-15EX to carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles, four more than the currently operational F-15C/D Eagle. The F-15EX significantly increases the amount of armament it can carry, with the addition of two new weapon mounts, which are located at the wingtips.
Development of the F-15EX was first announced in 2018, with the US Air Force awarding a US$1.2 billion contract for eight of the aircraft in 2020. The F-15EX's first flight will be in February 2021.
The F-15 Eagle II conducted its first successful missile launch in January 2022, when one of the test aircraft from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida launched an AIM-120D missile at the target of a BQM-167 drone.
Quoted from defensenews.com (6/1/2023), in a fact sheet submitted by the US Air Force, it is stated that the F-16 Fighting Falcon, in the latest configuration can carry up to six air-to-air missiles.
Another fact sheet says the F-22 Raptor, when configured for air-to-air combat missions, can carry a total of eight missiles, consisting of six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders.
Meanwhile, the F-35A can now carry four air-to-air missiles in the weapon bay, plus two more externally, for a total of six air-to-air missiles. Lockheed Martin said that while the F-35 can carry a total of eight air-to-air missiles, configurations have already started with 15 fighters, which will be able to carry two more missiles internally.
Follow Daily Post on Google News to update information quickly. Thank you for visiting our website..!! Don't forget to share any information to help develop our website