FighterControl

https://t.co/lUxTV3gusX

Besides it being sad to see A-10s be phased out, someone correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t the point of the EX air superiority? It personally doesn’t make much sense to me for it to replace warthogs, I really thought the F-35 would be the no brainier option here, since it’s Boeing and Trump we’re talking about I wouldn’t be surprised if this were a business decision instead of a tactical one…

The EX with CFTs has all the capabilities of the F-15E and I think the plan for most of the units getting them is to utilise all that capability. All the original batch funded were already assigned to replace F-15Cs in a few ANG units and the Kadena Eagles, so this must be a follow on order. I wonder who else will get some?

nashwa wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:13 pm

https://t.co/lUxTV3gusX

Besides it being sad to see A-10s be phased out, someone correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t the point of the EX air superiority? It personally doesn’t make much sense to me for it to replace warthogs, I really thought the F-35 would be the no brainier option here, since it’s Boeing and Trump we’re talking about I wouldn’t be surprised if this were a business decision instead of a tactical one…

As has happened time and time again in the ANG, often the role as well as the type changes in equipment renewals, which is what we've got here. It's not a like for like replacement for the same role.

We've seen fighter squadrons transition to tankers and even UAV's over the years.

Is there a timescale for this ? Guess pilots can re-train on the F-15 but where will the WSO's come from. Suppose in the Air Defence role the F-15EX can be flown single pilot but if that's so why not use F-16 ? Sound like a politicial decision to keep the Boeing production lines open.

Given the US intends to buy 104 EXs (down from 124), of which six are test/evaluation machines, it will be interesting to see if they: intend to increase the number procured; make the squadrons small than the intended 18; or conduct some reorganisation of the squadrons earmarked to receive them (now sitting at 7).

P.

Nighthawk237 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 12:04 pm

Given the US intends to buy 104 EXs (down from 124), of which six are test/evaluation machines, it will be interesting to see if they: intend to increase the number procured; make the squadrons small than the intended 18; or conduct some reorganisation of the squadrons earmarked to receive them (now sitting at 7).

P.

Portland, Fresno, New Orleans , Selfridge for single squadron units and 2 squadrons at Kadena. Are there more? Seymour is to be the training unit but using the F-15E.

I must admit I thought SJ would be the 7th Sqn to get EXs but can see they why they wouldn't need to for training purposes but that still puts the number over the intended figure.

P.

Doughnut wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 30, 2025 11:48 am

Is there a timescale for this ? Guess pilots can re-train on the F-15 but where will the WSO's come from. Suppose in the Air Defence role the F-15EX can be flown single pilot but if that's so why not use F-16 ? Sound like a politicial decision to keep the Boeing production lines open.

The ANG intend to operate the EX as an F-15C replacement/upgrade - single pilot. Dunno what PACAF/Kadena are going to do. F-15EX is a significant upgrade over F-16 for ADIZ work - longer range, more payload and dual engine which is better for over water ops. However, I'd have thought ANG units responsible for QRA on the east coast and gulf of Mexico (FL, MA and JZ) would be a better fit for this than Michigan.

I get the feeling that with the recent involvement of the Eglin test birds in Red Flag and Bamboo Eagle the USAF/DoD have come to the conclusion that they need to have something like F-15EX to bolster numbers since there aren't enough F-22's, F-15C is on it's last legs, and even the newest F-15E's are almost 25 years old. The F-47 could easily be over 10 years away from entering squadron service, and there is no way of knowing how many the USAF will actually be able to afford. Wouldn't surprise me to see a follow on order for 50-60 jets to replace the older SJ ones, which the USAF have already attempted to retire once.

This is quite a good read

https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-eagles-win ... nding-bill