Upgraded F-15EX Eagle II fighters get conformal tanks will increase range
The United States Air Force announced in early 2023 that F-15EX Eagle II fighters would go without conformal fuel tanks. But the service changed its mind two months later.
Here's What We Know
The US Air Force plans to resume purchasing conformal fuel tanks for its future F-15EX Eagle II fighters. The service also wants to request funds for the purchase of 24 aircraft in fiscal 2025, in addition to the 24 units for which funds are requested for fiscal 2024.
Conformal fuel tanks are part of the history of the fourth-generation F-15 Eagle fighter jets from the early years of the aircraft. They were also part of the F-15E Strike Eagle variants. Exactly how many tanks the US Air Force wants to buy and how it will distribute them among the F-15EX Eagle II units remains to be seen.
It has been learned that the budget for fiscal year 2024 includes funding to begin the procurement of conformal fuel tanks. In total, the US Air Force is requesting nearly $3 billion in funding for purchases related to the upgraded F-15EX Eagle II fighters.
The US Air Force has only two F-15EX Eagle IIs in service and both can be equipped with conformal fuel tanks. The service wants a total of 104 fourth-generation fighters, 40 fewer than originally planned but 24 more than the previous plan.
Boeing has been promoting conformal fuel tanks for several years to significantly increase the range of the F-15EX over the F-15 C/D. It is the range that has been a central topic of discussion in various branches of the US Air Force. A decisive factor in favour of using additional tanks is the prospect of a large-scale conflict in the Pacific against the People's Republic of China.
That said, there are disadvantages too. Conformal tanks negatively affect the manoeuvrability, speed and acceleration of fighters. In addition, they cannot be quickly jettisoned during flight. The advantage, apart from the increased range, is that they fit snugly against the fuselage and do not occupy suspension points. This allows the aircraft to carry full ammunition.
Source: The Drive
