The F-15EX Eagle II with AMRAAM and JASSM missiles could become the most heavily armed fighter of all time

The F-15EX Eagle II, aka Super Eagle, is one of the U.S. Air Force's targets. The service has two test fighters, but plans to buy more than 100 Generation 4.5+ aircraft over the next few years. The service is placing a big bet on them.

Here's What We Know

The U.S. Air Force has conducted two very important tests this year. The F-15EX Eagle II was recently able to launch three JASSM air-to-ground missiles, and earlier it successfully lifted 12 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. With these, the F-15EX will claim the title of the most heavily armed fighter in the history of military aviation.

The Eagle II is identical in size to the older F-15 Eagle, but has significantly more firepower. The conventional Eagle is only capable of carrying eight air-to-air missiles. This is usually a combination of Sidewinder, AMRAAM and Sparrow of varying ranges.

The secret of the modernised F-15EX Eagle II fighter is the use of AMBER (Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Rack) missile racks. Their use increases the number of combat modules from 17 to 23.

Other fighters can carry more bombs or missiles. For example, the Strike Eagle can drop up to 15 225kg Mk-82 unguided bombs or five 900kg laser-guided bombs. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, meanwhile, can be armed with 14 air-to-air missiles.

The advantage of the F-15EX Eagle II is balance. The modernised fighter is tailored for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations simultaneously. JASSM missiles can engage targets on the ground, while AMRAAMs can shoot down enemy aircraft.

This is made possible because the Super Eagle is not a stealth fighter. The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft carries missiles in an internal weapons bay rather than under the wings to maintain stealth. The F-15EX Eagle II has no such limitations.

The two aircraft of different generations will be able to operate in tandem. The Eagle II will then destroy ground or air threats detected by the F-35 Lightning II fighter.

Source: Popular Mechanics