F-15EX, under consideration by Israel Air Force, completes first flight
Newest US Air Force fighter completes 90-minute test flight
By UDI SHAHAMThe new F-15EX fighter jet (photo credit: BOEING)
The new F-15EX fighter jet – which the Israel Air Force is considering ordering – completed its first flight this week, paving the way for the early delivery of the first two aircraft to the US Air Force later this quarter, manufacturer Boeing announced on Wednesday.The jet took off from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and completed a 90-minute test flight before returning.Boeing F-15 chief test pilot Matt Giese checked out the multi-role jet’s avionics, advanced systems and software. A test team monitoring the data collected during the flight in real time confirmed that the aircraft performed as planned.“Today’s successful flight proves the jet’s safety and readiness to join our nation’s fighter fleet,” said Prat Kumar, Boeing vice president and F-15 program manager.“Our workforce is excited to build a modern fighter aircraft for the US Air Force,” he said. “Our customer can feel confident in its decision to invest in this platform that is capable of incorporating the latest advanced battle management systems, sensors and weapons, due to the jet’s digital airframe design and open mission systems architecture.”The fighter’s digital backbone means it can serve as a test bed for future technology insertion, a key capability for the air force.The company said that modern variants of the F-15 also include fly-by-wire flight controls, an all-new digital cockpit, modern AESA radar, and the ADCP-II, the world’s fastest mission computer.The F-15EX, the most advanced version of the F-15 to date, features the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System electronic warfare system to improve mission effectiveness and survivability for operators.In July, the US Air Force awarded Boeing a contract to build the first lot of eight jets. Future plans call for as many as 144 aircraft.
