How the F-15EX reinvented air combat... again?

[@QuantumAscension1]

Finally, Ace Combat will have an aircraft that can realistically carry the ridiculous payload of missiles you always get

[@USSAnimeNCC-]

Eagles EX to other planes in real life: Do you even lift bro

[@merafirewing6591]

​@@USSAnimeNCC- I imagine that being asked directly at the F-22 and F-35.

[@QuantumAscension1]

@@merafirewing6591 lol, to be fair, the F-22 is the guy that parkours a lot and the F-35 isn't really athletic, but he can ruin your life with his intellect if you cross him

[@merafirewing6591]

@@QuantumAscension1 to me, I think the air force and Navy should revisit older 4th generation jet designs and make them better than they were before.

[@Appletank8]

@@merafirewing6591 The main concern with 4th gen aircraft is their increasing vulnerability to SAM launchers. One proposed use case for them is to stay a few miles behind an F-35 and act as their missile carriers, utlizing the stealthier aircraft as a targeting pod, since F-35s can only carry like, 6? missiles in full stealth.

[@shaider1982]

For added info: the F22 was supposed to be the F15 replacement. Unfortunately, due to need to keep the tech from falling to Russia or China, it was decided not to export it, making the plane more expensive. With the focus on the war on terror, it was capped to 180+ airplanes.

[@psychodermix]

Australia wanted it, they wouldn't let us have it. And we ended up with the F35

[@deeya]

@@psychodermix everyone wanted it. Even close allies that got offended enough to start their own 5th and 6th Gen programs. It led to an arms race building, especially in Asia. Now you can look at that positively, or negatively.

[@mcamp9445]

@@psychodermixyour better f4f with the F-35 it has more rebate than f-22

[@140theguy]

They were never going to sell at F-22 to anyone. It got more expensive because short sighted Congress cut the order from 750 to 196. That doubled the price per aircraft.

[@tsubadaikhan6332]

When you say 'unfortunately', I can only assume you're not a US Taxpayer. I know, it is forever a balancing act, and the F-22 is possibly the sexiest plane ever, but thing was hideously expensive, and it had no adversary even in it's class when it was built. The Soviet Union had disappeared into irrelevance, and China hadn't really started. The first F-22 was built in 1997, and the last in 2011. Over a decade later, it still hasn't had a single mission it alone was capable of performing, and there's still nothing anyone else has in its class. It's not fair to roll in R&D that's used on other aircraft, but if you do include that in the price, the F-22 was $400 million a unit. That's an enormous amount of money to spend on something you never use. 180 odd of them. My understanding is that new Air Force philosophy is back to doing smaller runs of aircraft with the latest tech, and moving new elite units to the front. I doubt we'll see another plane last the 70+ years the B-52 has managed. Even this F-15EX is sharing very few parts with its 1972 original incarnation.

[@NinjaMan47]

F15: "Wanna see me reinvent air warfare?" F15EX: "Wanna see me do it again?"

[@Kenobi_Cowboy]

I believe the record is a win of 140 to 0 that we know about?

[@toast2401]

@@Kenobi_Cowboy104:0, probably a typo but just in case :)

[@Dominikuuu]

​@@toast2401I mean,who cares. US Aircraft are literaly unbeatable. So it might aswell be infinite:0 💪

[@RobloxLespro]

fr

[@LockeLynx]

​@@Dominikuuu not all of them. Nighthawk for example, then the U2 spy plane. Think we might've lost some A-10s, not sure

[@olivergauc2808]

The F15 is such a cool jet so glad they modernised it

[@molnibalage83]

F-15EX = pure idiotism from technical POV... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZLNp3qKpa6oo5Y

[@TheKrstff]

As an engineer on the EX program, these videos are always fun to see. Some other fun upgrades include the touchscreen controls. Unlike old fashioned avionics where the cockpit would be filled with countless displays and dials, both the pilot and weapon's officer have essentially one display each that can be reconfigured at any point during the mission to provide better visibly of critical information or to make certain tasks easier.

[@hoghogwild]

Glass cockpit?

[@MrTaxiRob]

Why didn't they include the canted vertical stabilizers on this model?

[@hoghogwild]

@@MrTaxiRob The F-15EX program is designed to get airframes out into the fleet ASAP. Using the canted rear vertical stabs would require flight testing which would require time. the Eagle-II leverages technologies whose development was paid for by international customers. the first 2 Eagle-IIs were in fact airframes left over from FMS(Foreign Military Sales). the F-15 assembly line was intact and American Eagle-II production picked up where the FMS production left off. This hurried delivery of Eagle-IIs to the fleet is further evidenced by the decision to stay with the dual seat cockpit. The single seat Eagles had been out of production for quite some time. Making the Eagle-II a single seat fighter would have extended delivery time further. All modern variants have the dual seat cockpit, though there are mission sets where Eagle-IIs will be crewed singly and others that require 2 crew.

[@nomercyinc6783]

one screen needing to swap multiple displays is not an improvement. needing to swap entire screen layouts to operate every feature isnt an improvement over anything

[@MrTaxiRob]

He didn't say that the amount of information on the single display was limited in any way @@nomercyinc6783. Simply moving all the data to one device in the form of a touch screen sounds like a huge improvement, it doesn't imply that the pilot is losing any data or that the pilot needs to prioritize some inputs and disregard others. Reconfigurable does imply that they can put them where they want them, like the widgets on your smart phone screen.

[@ChonkyFish_1]

The eagle is gonna become the next BUFF, just keep getting upgrades and next thing you know it’s been a century

[@AusKipper1]

Same might wind up being true for the F-16 as well. Affordable and effective enough.

[@ricoanderson6626]

That's the beauty of having a top notch air frame. If it's really good, you can just slap some new tech or maybe an engine upgrade and BOOM... Good for another couple decades easily.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Airliners haven’t changed much either. Subsonic and even supersonic aircraft are a mature technology, only evolutionary improvements are likely. Revolutionary changes are going to require a new engine or a new approach. Drone fighters being able to be stressed to +15G or more without having to worry about a squishy pilot, laser weapons that need to be aimed at a weak point to be effective but can’t really be dodged… these things will change designs.

[@Omgiamsotriggered]

The saying goes if it aint broken dont fix it. They've got a winning formula, why reinvent the wheel if u dont have to. Just modernize it and continue using it.

[@mattblom3990]

I saw a F-15C fly at the Abbotsford Airshow this summer and it was super powerful and maneuverable. It still makes sense in today's environment.

[@chrisburke624]

That's pretty sick! I didn't make any airshows this summer, but used to go up to the airshow at Ex Maple Flag at Cold Lake...I missed going this last summer, will make up for it this year You're a lucky bugger getting to see & hear that beast up close!

[@MrDRSMAX]

Yes, the only thing it lacks is stealth. It makes sense to keep using it, particularly with updated avionics and radar and weapons.

[@charlesc.9012]

Certainly. Unlike russian products, western EM countermeasures actually function, and Egypt found out in their trials. Also unlike 5th gen fighters, the f-15 doesn't have to worry about remaining stealthy, so it can conduct EM warfare to support nearby fighters if the area is contested. That is a valuable role that it can fill without spending too much and wasting potential

[@sjsomething4936]

It’s the aircraft Canada should have ordered for the RCAF, use the savings per hour of flight time to buy more airplanes or put towards other aspects of our military. We don’t need a stealth aircraft to defend Canadian airspace, stealth is more useful in offensive roles.

[@chrisburke624]

@@sjsomething4936 I partially agree with what you are saying - and IF the government would put any dollars saved back into the military, that would be nice! (Not how it works unfortunately...) The F-35 was purchased for far more reasons than just it being stealthy. Commonality among allies, industrial opportunities & benefits, staying in 5 Eyes, and demonstrating to the Americans we are taking defence more seriously now, it's advanced classified capabilities with the 4F software, were all other important factors. The cost of the F-15EX is currently more than the F-35, but should come down if the USAF follows through on their plans to buy 144+ Unfortunately though, when the fighter tender went out to bidders - Boeing didn't enter the F-15EX. They bid the Super Hornet...so buying the F-15EX was never an option for us really. Sad tbough. Would have been a solid replacement for our legacy Hornets

[@ReviveHF]

Year 1972 : Not a pound for a ground Year 2023 : Bomb and missile truck with supercomputer and AESA radar onboard. Also, it can fly faster than Mach 2.2, furthermore the current F-15EX variant is cheaper to produce and maintain than F-35A(But bear in mind, in slow speed turn fight F-35A has the advantage). Also, the F-15E is the only plane that scored an accidental aerial kill with a bomb.

[@keso_de_bola1750]

I think that air to air kill with a bomb wasnt accidental, tho.

[@alpacaofthemountain8760]

Some F-35s are cheaper than the F-16EX

[@stephenkolostyak4087]

As I recall it was against a helicopter, on purpose.

[@pd28cat]

no stealth 🤦‍♂️

[@FXIIBeaver]

@@DeadManWalking-ym1oocheck your numbers again.

[@ErnestJay88]

No wonder why many countries bought F-15 EX, basically air superiority like classic F-15 but with upgraded fly by wire and avionics like F-35

[@Relativity_Space-SFS]

So far only the Indonesians and possibly Israel

[@ErnestJay88]

@@Relativity_Space-SFS Indonesian air force already sign the contract while Israel might considered buy F15EX in case of 2023 Gaza war become regional war if other Middle Eastern countries join the war to fight against Israel.

[@Relativity_Space-SFS]

@ErnestJay88 that's why I say only the Indonesians so far, since Israel haven't does so

[@Relativity_Space-SFS]

@ErnestJay88 also Korean F-15K are having a mid life upgrade with some of the EX stuff, with the APG 82 AESA and EPAWSS and some other stuff, I wonder when will Singapore does so for the F-15SG

[@nomercyinc6783]

lol thinking the controls and flight systems are what makes the f35 what it is. the entire aircraft is made with stealth in mind. the f15 does not.

[@shaider1982]

8:25 there is an upgrade for the F35A to increase it's intetnal AA missile carriage. But, yeah, the EX is the missile truck.

[@raouraouraouraourr0]

and the F15 is much faster by mach 0.9.

[@mattt525]

Also ruins the stealth

[@hoghogwild]

@@mattt525 No, the upgraded internal carriage doesnt affect stealth at all. perhaps you're thinking of external carriage of weapons on the F-35 aka "beast mode"?

[@WhisperingDeath]

Building on this comment, the F-35 currently has a 15 year backlog of orders. It's cheaper and better than the F-15EX but now we can't produce enough of them. So the F-15EX is kind of a stopgap to keep another 100 planes flying that the US otherwise wouldn't have. The "F-35 is too expensive" line is a boomer meme from 2013 that's simply not true anymore.

[@shaider1982]

​@@raouraouraouraourr0yup, way faster.

[@everready19373]

I was a weapons troop on the F-15 A/B models at Nellis AFB back in 81-82. They are incredible pieces of machinery.

[@SvdSinner]

I remember playing "F15 Strike Eagle" on an Apple II in the mid '80s. Mind boggling that it is still in active usage.

[@pukekissing]

You would be surprised just how old many planes are that are still used currently. The F35 may be one of the newest planes that fall into "modern" design for example, but it was not the first to be able to do VTOL. Just shows how it's about combining and refining existing technologies than trying to modernize for the sake of modern, in my opinion

[@keithbriscoe99]

Yep..played that one! I started on DCS few months ago and am so happy how far things have come. Love the 15.

[@nomercyinc6783]

the military isnt still flying f15s. the ex isnt an actual military airframe. the military never decided to make that airframe. civilians arent experts on military equipment. people who have never been in the military are capable of being military experts.

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

My dad was born in 1972, the F-15 made its first flight around the same time. By the time I am my dad’s age the F-15 will still be in use with the USAF. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

@@nomercyinc6783…? What? The USAF is still flying F-15E’s and the Air National Guard is still flying F-15C’s and D’s.

[@M18Hellcat-17]

Fun fact: the F-35 is actually cheaper than the F-15EX. The F-35 (A) costs around 70 million while the F-15EX will cost about 90 million. This is based off the most current information (lots 14-17 of the F-35, lots 1-4 of the F-15EX) but these costs may easily change.

[@regalplays7135]

Yeah, ironically the ‘low cost’ alternative to the F-35 costs more. That’s what happens when you have to restart new production lines right as F-35 production hits its stride

[@TheStig_TG]

That is a number for the lower end F-35, the highest end ones being used by the USAF/USN/USMC are 90-100 million USD.

[@SkywalkerWroc]

Yep, and other than being a missile truck, F-35 is superior in nearly every way. While F-15EX can be reasonably shot down by outdated Russian fighters in BVR, the F-35 is a tough call.

[@gusty9053]

@@SkywalkerWroc Judging by the few accidents the F35 had this year alone i would say it does a preaty good job of downing itself without external help :).

[@FXIIBeaver]

@@SkywalkerWroc except the eagle has never been shot down.

[@Scott079]

I wouldn’t exactly describe the F-22 is new they’ve been flying it for almost 20 years

[@LetsGo-wl5zo]

In practical correct but theoretical they are still not fully operational.... they are just deploying (testing) it now.... The F-22 can be the next F-35 fiasco.

[@sevenshooter2987]

That's new for airplanes, the f15 was built in the 70s

[@hoghogwild]

@@sevenshooter2987 the last F-22 was built in 2011 and delivered to USAF in 2012.

[@hoghogwild]

@powrplaya3266 The newest F-22 is about 12 years old.

[@hoghogwild]

@powrplaya3266 The OP said the F-22 is old because of it flying for over 20 years, I stated that the newest F-22 is 12 years old. (even though the F-22 reached Initial Operational Capability in 2005. It hasn't even been in service for 20 years)

[@NinjaMan47]

I do think super-star jets like the F22 and F35 fill a critical role but can't be the entire airforce. Most of the time (especially during peacetime) what a country needs is a cost-effective platform that can do multiple roles effectively. It's a guard dog a country has as much for deterrence as for its capabilities.

[@sirdo946]

Dude the F15EX costs way more than an F35A.

[@NinjaMan47]

It is about more than the cost to upgrade. Stealth aircraft are an absolute nightmare to maintain, both in man hours and the cost to keep them flying. You are right that the F15EX is not cheap by any means, but you miss a single lose bolt on the airframe of an F35 and it's stealth advantage vanishes.

[@CanIgetsubsforsellingbathwater]

I think the modern fighters serve more as deterrents as even in war I think the us would be reluctant to use then due to there stealth tech, f-22 especially

[@AJ_Sparten1337]

An air force consisting of F-15 EXs and F-22s will dominate an air force consisting of only F-35 variants.

[@fra93ilgrande]

F/A 18s Super Hornets? 🛩️👊🏻🔝💥

[@SteepSix]

We need this F-15ex in Australia! We have 6 squadrons of F-35a, two squadrons of FA-18 Super Hornets, and one squadron of the EA-18 Growlers, but none of them have the speed, payload, or range we lost when the F-111 fleet was retired. The F-15ex does. Ideally we need another 4 or 5 squadrons of F-15ex, and two squadrons of the F-35b (and two more Canberra Class Carriers)... This would allow the ADF to project some serious power out into the Indo-Pacific and might just get us that seat on the Security Council we deserve.

[@oophyte]

You seem to misunderstand the purpose of the security council permanent members. It's for major nuclear weapon states to talk things out before getting messy.

[@LeonAust]

The F-15 is the last thing we need, maybe as a F-111 replacement choice back in 2010 but not now as it is a dated fighter with limited capability.

[@maxpower19711]

@@LeonAust The F15EX is anything but outdated. Yes, it’s not stealthy, but it has an extremely powerful radar and an absolutely unrivaled missile capacity. That makes it perfect as a missile truck for 5th gen fighters, as well as an extremely potent fighter-bomber

[@LeonAust]

​@@maxpower19711 If the F-15EX goes up against say an F-35 stealth the F-15EX cannot see a stealth at best say 30 miles at best................F-15EX is dead, it is a big radar blimp in the screen to any other fighter. There no way they will enter any future overseas battlefield! why bother to make them if they cannot compete. That F-15EX extremely powerful radar as you say is useless and made redundant by stealth, (China is currently building stealth and improving) therefore waste of money as more F-35A are needed and future NGAD. My spool is the F-15EX is replacing F-15C and probably only US continental restricted due to its limited capability. It has a huge disability by being not stealth and limited network centric and a big blimp on radar, the future should be F-35 Block 4 and NGAD. Slinging long rang missiles is Boeings way of saying it cannot join the fight it has to stay back to survive. Tell me if the F-15EX is slinging say AIM-260 missiles how does it lock on to targets at extreme ranges against stealth? when its radar against stealth is 30 miles at best and the opposition aircraft can lock it up at say 120 miles or over?? ........most nations are going the stealth way and that is the future not 4.5 gen.

[@alanwhiteside410]

Yes I think the F-15EX would be a great replacement for the F-111 I seen your F-111 at the Singapore airshow back around 2010 I think it was. We the Boeing maintenance crew with the F-15E had the chance to party with the F-111 maintenance crew where they were staying we had a great time. 😎🍻

[@20Mb01]

8:29 since when the F-16 was made leaning towards the ground attack role ??? It was designed as a light fighter with still dogfights in mind and later on developed as a multirole fighter…

[@radicalhalonova7623]

yeah i was wondering about that comment too...

[@sirdo946]

There's so much wrong info in this video lmao, the F-15EX literally costs more than the F-35A but hey i guess the reason they're making the EX is the "super expensive F-35"

[@gavcom4060]

@@sirdo946dude he states that the f15EX is actually a pricier plane, but he also includes the fact that it’s also WAY cheaper to fly and maintain after the fact. Watch the video before talking

[@billmcdonald4335]

Tip o' the hat to the Soviet-era MiG design team. If it wasn't for the Foxbat. . .

[@mr.normalguy69]

The F-15EX Eagle 2 is an absolute beast in DCS world.

[@ell8711]

there's no EX in DCS?

[@urielmanzone1772]

​@@ell8711there's a mod for it

[@dutchlogitechclan]

@@ell8711 Mod

[@Tango-17]

@@ell8711 mod

[@knight1706]

@@ell8711There’s a few good mods

[@stratometal]

The F-15 and Grandpa BUFF are probably going to be around for freaking ever. I read that BUFF is getting some new upgrades too, and I hope that the F-22 gets one as well.

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

BUFF is getting those sweet Rolls Royce engines. Probably other upgrades but the engines are the big ones.

[@fra93ilgrande]

I'd intercept me. 😂 👌

[@SparkBerry]

P-8 is a 737, the "new" VC-25 will be 747s, and the "new" tankers will be the discontinued 767. Gotta respect Boeing's hustle.

[@MS-qx9uw]

767 isn’t strictly discontinued, the -300F variant is still in production, but civilian orders are nonexistent outside of FedEx and UPS

[@aviationgaming1564]

Boeing is also making the Block 3 super Hornet

[@nomercyinc6783]

the dc10s were NOT 737s

[@MS-qx9uw]

@@nomercyinc6783 I do not believe the DC-10 was mentioned once in the OP

[@aviationgaming1564]

@@nomercyinc6783 he never said they were, the P-8 is one of the many militarized 737s.

[@christopherrasnick8535]

In the initial congressional budget proposal it is stated that the primary reason for f15ex procurement is to rapidly replace aging f15 airframes. It has less to do with f-35 monetary costs than it does with the cost in time to procure, train, and maintain a new generation of fighter. *Note* please correct me if I am incorrect or citing the wrong source :)

[@diegosilang4823]

Let's not forget that F15 was one of the few fighter jets that was able to land with one of the wings missing. Adding thrust vectoring would be nice though, it will stand a better chance against latest generation fighters.

[@tikewhite1044]

WHILE I APPRECIATE YOUR PASSION FOR MY BABY.... SHE DOESN'T NEED THRUST VECTORING. SHE IS SPRY A/F WITHOUT THOSE NOZZLES. PLEASE DON'T GO THINKING THE F-22 RAPTOR WOULD DEFEAT HER IN AN AERIAL DOGFIGHT. THE ONLY EDGE THE RAPTOR HAS.... IS STEALTH. ♠️THE VANITY ADDICT♠️

[@76MUTiger]

That was mind boggling footage. An Israeli pilot, I think.

[@survivaloptions4999]

9:59 The B52 would like to have a word

[@jakeoht791]

The B52 airframes themselves will fly longer, but I think the point is that the f15 aircraft as a whole will probably be in the air longer, there’s currently at least one f15 that’s been flying for going on 50 years. If the last f15 that comes off the line is in 2030-2040 and one of those planes flys 100 years (because the life span has doubled (assuming the current 50yo plane is retired soon)). There is a real possibility our descendants will see f15s flying for the US in the year 2140. Or more realistically/plausible f15s getting replaced now are 20-30yo, double that you get 60 and so on. You would see the year ~2100. For the US Gov the B52s will be in the air for about 90-100 years, f15s realistically could be in the air for ~140 years. Crazy stuff when you think about it.

[@tosborne8062]

F-15 Gorgeous plane, almost perfect. Take the weight off the Tomcat, add more muscle to the Falcon, and cutaway and give more straight edges to the Raptor platform... It's just artwork and functionality combined! (this comment about the aircraft is mainly about appearance, esthetics, design, etc... ) My favorite might still be the F-22 when I first saw concepts back in the early 90's and especially when she was finally introduced, (hard to pick) but all the planes listed and more have a stunning beauty. I once heard a pilot once quote "If it looks good sitting on the ground, it will probably preform great in the air!" I don't know who, where, or when I heard that, but I believe it has some validity. Anyway nice vid thnx for the upload!

[@cjmunnee3356]

Some variation of that quote has been attributed to a lot of different people from around the world.

[@NoobNoobNews]

The F-15 was built to fight, survive, and win all while being seen at any distance by everything and everyone. Stealth is nice, but if you design a plane to win without stealth... Well, I suspect it would hold its own well past the expected retirement.

[@nchiley]

0:19

[@nchiley]

1:38 1:51 1:51

[@456MrPeople]

The main problem with that is your luck without stealth will eventually run out, so in the meantime you do as much damage as possible.

[@petersmythe6462]

You've got the situation all wrong. Stealth is not nice to have in a dogfight. It is the reason you survive to the dogfight in the first place. If a J-20 fights 6 F-15s, the way it's gonna go down is that the J-20 comes around behind them, takes down 4 of them in the first volley, THEN the survivors, being at a serious speed and altitude disadvantage with an invisible enemy on their 6 will realize they're in a fight just as the second volley finishes them off. Maybe if a miracle happens the J-20 could come up behind one after that and pop it with a Fox-2, but that lone surviving F-15 will not ever get a shot off.

[@petersmythe6462]

What you have to understand about stealth is that if you don't have it, you are prey. Something you'll never see is gonna come along and set up the perfect shot and it'll be right on top of you before you even turn on your afterburner.

[@vincentlussier8264]

I hope the F-15E remains in service for years to come. It is the most mean and deadly looking aircraftin the world to me. I'm an aviation enthusiast and a plastic modeller and love building 1/48 scale kits of these amazing aircraft!

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

Would love to see an actual 4th Gen + showdown with the F-15 vs European jets eg Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen

[@foxywinterfox7575]

For several months, Indonesia already have interest to purchase the F-15EX for upgrading their old fleet. It should be successful if the exporting the F-15EX to the customers will gain a good reputation for modern combat capabilities.

[@andrewmason9137]

Some things I have always thought about in addition to what you mentioned is that it's a lot easier to look for stealth when there is nothing else in your radar scope, standoff with potential longer range missiles and use that strong EX radar to data link with stealth fighters. I think the F-15EX and F-35 family will work pretty well together.

[@ShuRugal]

the F15 platform is basically a B52 spirit/soul in a fighter airframe. Such an absurdly capable and felxible platform, we'll probably never see it leave active service.

[@BalzAldrin]

i hope you're right. It's the most beautiful frame ever conceived

[@nomercyinc6783]

the f15 was never a ground attack aircraft so its NOTHING like a bomber. the a10 warthog itself has 11 extra load points. the a10 warthog is the militaries ACTUAL missle truck

[@ShuRugal]

@@nomercyinc6783 Yeah, the A-10 is sooooo much better. That's why the Air Force has been screaming to get rid of it for the past twenty years.

[@Ashitaka0815]

A bomb truck, not a missile truck

[@matsv201]

This isn´t the first time this happened. For exampled the really old A6 was modernized quite extensively and its usage of the aircraft also changed a quite a bit. At the same token F15 went from a pure breed fighter, to a multi role and now more of a munition carrier. While the F-15EX have not losses it ability to dogfight, its really less and less important. And of cause, you would not necessarily want or need all your aircraft to be stealth. And i would defenlty not say that the F15EX replacing the F22, more complementing it. The issue with the F22 is that its not really needed prior to WWIII, so we currently have very little use for the F22, On top of that, the F35 can do most missions the F22 can do, but considerably cheaper. F22 termination is replaced with the Ngad, While the Ngad will probobly not be avlible to 2030, my guess is that the majority of the F22 fleet would be put into storage and some 10% left for training untill the ngad is ready for delivery The SU35 is basically to the SU27 as what strike eagle is to F15. So that it have not been replaced is not true. It just happened earlier. The same is true for F18, the F18E/F is basically a new airframe from the F18C/D, but that happened much more recently, so the planes are a bit fresher.

[@michaelmichaelagnew8503]

Think you meant to say the F22 is not really needed after the cold war since that's what it was designed for in the first place. The F22 is still needed but the problem with it is that it can no longer be made nor can its airframe be upgraded since there is no longer an assembly line making them. The 6th gen will soon replace the F22 and also probably half the missions of the F15. While great the F15 is, it cannot compete with the F22. The F22 wins every encounter because of all its advance technology. The 6th gen is going to be an even bigger game changer and will make the F22 obsolete. Keeping the F15 around is mainly because the F22 was shutdown and there were 4 times as less than our Air force planned to have.

[@matsv201]

@@michaelmichaelagnew8503 Not really, there was never a use for the F22. The F22 was always designed to combat some future threat that was yet to exist. The idea was probobly that that threat would exist in the 2010, but didn´t materialize. Now the F22 is so old, and also, quite expensive to run, that the next gen fighter will probobly be read until the threat emerges . Having a weapon-system in cold storage is not a problem for a decade or so, but any thing more and you will start lose the pilot and the mechanics.

[@jordanmascarenhas7974]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! Small correction though. The F-15 won’t be the longest serving aircraft in the USAF. -That distinction belongs and will continue to belong to the venerable Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (BUFF)👍🏼

[@Ashitaka0815]

Since both are in active service, you don't know. If the B52 gets retired tomorrow and the F15 stays in service for another 30 years... Unlikely, but F15 coming back was unlikely as well about a decade ago ;)

[@patmahomesisthegoat1622]

The EX, while it is based on the QA, is almost nothing like it (visually) The final operational configuration EXs (starting with EX3) won’t have CFTs normally, but they will obviously have the option to have them on. The first 2 EXs are actually QAs but just painted in the Eagle II scheme and with empty censor casings (between the pilot and WSO outside of the cockpit)

[@john681611]

The old F-15 variants have been capable of BVR combat since day 1. The F-15, 16 & 18 have been regularly modernised just not enough to require a name change. Data linking is the big unseen upgrade. With so many shared eyes looking out it's gonna be impossible for your rare competition (questionably stealthy) to not get spamrammed

[@TK199999]

The other major upgrade for the US F-15EX is the new combat computer and data link system. Which allows stealth aircraft to track and target enemy planes for destruction. Then send the order to F-15EX's flying out of enemy missile range to fire their weapons at the targets. With stealth planes like F-35, B-21 and soon to be upgraded (remaining) F-22's guiding the missiles at its targets all the way. This will allow the stealth aircraft to keep their stealth by not having to opening their weapons bay to fire.

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

Be me: some shitty Flanker pilot. Only got 50 flight hours this year, most of that was air show training. War kicks off. Flying patrol mission over Kaliningrad. See nothing on Radar, allgoodman. Radar Warning Receiver suddenly spikes, I remember my training and begin to do a cobra maneuver. Missile slams into my aircraft after only 3 seconds mfw Glorious Russian Aircraft is trash.

[@jamescooper7878]

so basically the F-15EX is the dude with the HUGE backpack whit missiles and weapons strolling out of sight, while drops off missiles as he get orders to do..

[@muhamadirfaan3329]

I think whoever design the f-15 is a genius .such an adaptable airframe and a workhorse

[@nomad_grj]

7:40 Sarang Display Team cameo was nice to see haha great video, F15s are absolute baller. sat in the cockpit of an F15SG as a kid. been a fan since then. glad to see they still have a future.

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

The F-35 was never meant to replace the F-15, so it’s not really a contender. The USAF needs a large twin engine aircraft to replace older F-15s and F-22s, if anything it’s to keep the current pilots in rotation. NGAD won’t supplement that in its entirety since they’re only making 200 of them, and the USAF ANG needs something to use.

[@warlock64c]

Part of the NGAD program is meant to develop a heavy drone fleet to work alongside the new fighter. The drones are to act as the numbers part of the equation while the NGAD serves more of a command and control system. Of course it will still be a beast of a fighter, just one part of a wider puzzle.

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

@@warlock64c right, I just mean that there’s nothing to replace the F-15, except another F-15, at least for the ANG which is the main user of air defense F-15s.

[@warlock64c]

@@jacobbaumgardner3406 I figured the NGAD would produce a drone platform for that role.

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

@@warlock64c the ANG will require manned platforms. People won’t appreciate having drones flying above their cities. AFAIK the F-15EX will fulfill that role for the rest of our lives, given they have a 20,000 hour lifespan. Most EX’s are for the ANG. In fact, the Oregon ANG here in PDX will be the first to get the EXA. Had the pleasure of chatting with one of their avionics chiefs during the Oregon air show this summer, and he said several of them were being sent to write the new maintenance manuals for the jet. What’s unique about it is this is the first time in US history that the ANG is getting a jet before the active forces, and they’re all new.

[@warlock64c]

@@jacobbaumgardner3406 in the world of military equipment, what people appreciate is irrelevant. A drone has intrinsic advantages over a manned platform that the military simply can't ignore. The NGAD and fa/xx are likely to be the final manned fighter craft we ever build.

[@perrytheplatypus8802]

You actually missed the primary reasons for buying the F15EX. 1. F35s can't be built fast enough to replace retiring aircraft. 2. Keeping more than one manufacturer that can make a fighter aircraft in business.

[@FoundAndExplained]

Ah correct thats a great point that I didn't say. Thank you!

[@donaldmatthews7226]

Isn’t the F35 per unit cheaper than the F15EX per unit?

[@newdefsys]

Yes, but the f-15EX's operating cost, _per_ _hour_ , is cheaper than the F-35

[@Hierax415]

And that's using the projected operating cost on the projected life span of the project. Almost every fighter has BLOWN past its lifespan and its operating costs by obscene ratios. @@newdefsys

[@BalzAldrin]

yes but the F15 is way cheaper over its lifetime in maintaining the airframe. F35 has a steep hidden cost after the fact

[@perrytheplatypus8802]

@@newdefsys only if you exclude all the pods etc that make the F15 useful, the F35 per hour cost includes all these, its a smoke and mirrors problem

[@nomercyinc6783]

nobody actually wants the cheapest option when it comes to the military and civilians thoughts on military vehicle costs are irrelevant. it doesnt matte what civilians think about the military or its cost. nobodies opinion is greater than national security needs.

[@SpectorOfDoomYT]

The F-15: I'm carrying an entire armory with me, and I'm going to make it everyone's problem

[@26th_Primarch]

I found out about a bizarre planned replacement for the SU-25 called the SH-90. You could definitely make a video on it.

[@mountedpatrolman]

You didn't even scratch the EX's abilities, like it's new IRST.

[@PongoXBongo]

The thing people tend to forget about stealth is that it's just the tip of the spear. The rest of the spear doesn't need to be stealth. Send in the F-35s and B-21s to take out the AA assets, then you can send F-15Es and B-52s all day long for a fraction of the price.

[@brysonfitzgerald5238]

Yes, or have F-15ex behind the "tip of the spear" (F-35s and/or B22s) and receiving targeting information... they can all network together, with F-15ex being essentially a missile truck.

[@flightonlineaviation]

Truly amazing plane - thanks for highlighting the EX version!

[@devonc1]

I love my career and the family I work with. I am so proud to work with the team for the EX! Go ECoE team Mesa! I have to add, it's funny to see the different modifications between variants of design. Go Boeing!

[@littlegamingnightmares1380]

Funny enough this video didn't age too well because the USA announced that they aren't retiring the F22

[@JohnKruse]

I am most excited about the Wyoming bucking horse on the F-15EX fuselage. I hope that it is fleet wide. Go Wyo!

[@FighterJetOfDoom]

My local ANGB recently received the first F-15EXs. As an av-geek, F-15s were already my favorite aircraft and now that they made a new version, I love the upgrades. Thanks for making this video

[@crimfan]

It's kind of like the Bone retiring before the Buff, I guess, but even better... lower cost, existing logistics and training, and the ability to haul truly enormous loads for long distances turns out to work really well. The fact that other countries paid for the upgrade development and kept the production lines open makes it even better! If you're going to have a high-low mix, this is a pretty insane low.

[@toddkatz9700]

On the one hand, I want to grumble a bit about how the F-22 is the most dangerous thing on the planet since the jurassic period, and that F-35 is good enough at everything it's needed for on the offensive side that it should not be discounted because it's expensive. That said, don't throw away what ain't broke. You don't need to be invisible to radar for every role, and retrofitting what already works with newer tech can make what was good into something that can still be useful at a very reasonable cost. Plus, I won't lie, that amount of payload space for ordinance and the speed of that craft makes me smile with delight at how fast it could make large swaths of problems dissappear.

[@commonavionics6069]

F22 and “brand new” is definitely one way to put it

[@RahulDevanarayanan]

I think calling the f35 an exorbitant cost to taxpayers is ludicrous, current per unit costs are at 75mn usd (80 with the upgraded f135 engine). For comparison, Block 70/72 f16 is 63 mn usd, f15ex is 94 mn, gripen is 85 mn usd, etc. Yes, the f35’s initial runs had much higher prices (135-175mn usd depending on how you calculate lifetime and amortized rnd cost). But the sheer number of these craft in service globally has driven down their costs and improved their maintainability. Granted, all of the aforementioned aircraft fill different niches. However, until the 2040s, the f35 is and will be the mainstay of us air power in LSCO due to its unparalleled stealth and sensor fusion. Think of the 35 as a sensor and coordination hub for uas, a stealthy medium payload aircraft, and a great spotter. EX’s will basically be missile trucks, lugging large munitions where bombers can’t be used or risked, and/or as an absurd number of amraams and aim9xs connected to the f35s’ sensor networks.

[@robertkerr4199]

F15 and B52 will both be around for a long time...

[@bondgabebond4907]

Sadly the F-22 and F-35 will be stationed in a aircraft boneyard.

[@jeffreytipper4909]

AND thanks to my Dad who got his sons a a seat in the A10 , as he knew i loved jets at the air base in SOUTH CAROLINA---MISS YOU DAD YO UWERE THE BEST

[@Desire123ification]

So far, undefeated Eagle!

[@265justy]

Except in Red Flag where the F-16 aggressors usually had it it's ass...

[@Mr51Caveman]

I worked the F-15's from 1979 till 2002. My 1st plane was a 1975 A model. Saw them transition over the years from the A models to C/D. I carry a few pieces in my body from an explosion in the early 80's. I also was fortunate to fly in one once. Loved the plane.

[@sheldoninst]

There’s a subtle error with your 3D rendering of the F-15EX… the tail vertical stabilizers are NO longer parallel but slightly angled out like the letter V only so slightly.

[@fra93ilgrande]

To make it a little more stealthy

[@sheldoninst]

@@fra93ilgrande Well, my understanding is that the newer design incorporating slightly outwardly angled vertical tails is due to improved handling characteristics rather than stealth, which is mostly achieved with the paint.

[@ShuRugal]

I think the thing people are starting to realize about stealth is that there are only two conditions where you *need* it: 1 - the enemy has deployed effective air-defenses and obtained airspace-denial against non-stealth units 2 - the enemy has deployed effective stealth fighters which are able to effectively achieve air-dominance The current iteration of the Russo-Ukraine War is showing us that our historically projected adversary is not capable of either of these feats. Even against an enemy which is capable of these feats, they are both feats which are within the capability of the US military to destroy. We perfected the SEAD/DEAD game long before "stealth" was a word anyone ever thought about applying to jet fighters and helicopters, and even a non-stealth fighter can defeat a stealth fighter after the merge. So, it makes sense to have a fleet of "elite" stealth units for operating in high-threat environments with the goal of turning them into low-threat environments to enable a much larger force of non-stealth units to operate with a free hand.

[@gpaull2]

Stealth may not be a NEED, but it’s definitely a WANT in any scenario. Cost and ease of maintenance are the only reasons for non-stealth aircraft.

[@ShuRugal]

@@gpaull2 I believe I adequately addressed that in my comment, if you read it all.

[@gufo_tave]

I'm agree with you. Stealth have its pro, but also some cons. In some situation you do not need at ant cost a 5th gen plane, but a 4.5 one can be more than enough.

[@forzaelite1248]

@@ShuRugal I'd agree that measuring the threat with Russia probably isn't as useful anymore but in comparison to China it's a lot more relevant to have stealth for offensive and defensive roles because the harder you are to find, target, and hit the better, regardless of the situation. It's just another option for those aircraft, they can very well and still do operate without it; the difference is that a fully stealth fleet may cost a bit more but is incredibly more capable than even a mixed bag. The countries considering these options don't have the luxury of waiting to see how many stealth vs non-stealth aircraft it takes before they have "enough" advantage; the moment someone decides to risk it everyone's going to have to keep up, which is effectively what the US has done at this point with their commitments. SEAD/DEAD was perfected against _4th_ gen threats with _4th_ gen aircraft and tactics that won't fly (pun unintended) against more modern systems. Stealth isn't an elite capability just because it's more expensive to operate in the same way other technologies have been applied over history, it's just the next norm. Well, unless someone wants to try their hand at modern combat in a P-51...

[@ShuRugal]

@@forzaelite1248 "SEAD/DEAD was perfected against 4th gen threats with 4th gen aircraft and tactics that won't fly (pun unintended) against more modern systems." The original SEAD mission profile was performed against Soviet-manufactured SAMs using nothing but hydra rockets and dumb bombs. Even if we pretend that I was arguing that nobody needs any stealth ever (which I clearly was not), the air defense systems available to Russia and China have a long way to go before they reduce 4th gen aircraft SEAD capabilities using JDAM/JSOW and HARM to be as bad a match up as rockets and bombs were against SA2 and Strela. But I wasn't arguing that we don't need any stealth at all. I was observing that there is still plenty of room for non-stealth aircraft to operate with escort from stealth aircraft.

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

Sad that there is no Single Seater variant, I guess it just wasn't made for the same purpose as F-22

[@TheKrstff]

There are so many advantages to having a dedicated weapon's officer. Just flying a fighter jet is hard enough, so it helps to offload tasks to another person.

[@hoghogwild]

Of course its not, one's a stealth fighter, the other isnt.

[@cjmunnee3356]

At least the guy in back is optional.

[@Sir_Gugharde_Wuglis]

Boeing salesman: *bangs hand on old plane. Boeing: ‘this baby is brand new.’

[@krisshnapeswanipeswani3190]

f 15 can act as a long-range missile singer for aim 260 and jaasm er add in the good snedors and you get a missile truck to complenbt the f 35s reltivly smaller payload

[@newdefsys]

Spelling isn't your forte, is it

[@snakeoo7ca]

F22 is not a replacement for F15, it is a compliment

[@strahinjakerezovic104]

With this rate of success, F15 could maybe be the first plane to serve for 100 years (beside the B52 maybe)

[@katherineberger6329]

Like the B-52, the last F-15 pilot has not been born yet.

[@enigmaticcruz2483]

B-52 will absolutely be the first to fly continuous for 100 years. It has been flying since 1952 and with the US AF replacing all of the active B-52s with new engines, it will be in the air well into the 2050s.

[@hoghogwild]

@@katherineberger6329 Unlike the B-52, the last F-15 has not been born.

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

Cost per unit is actually more expensive than the F-35A. Probably doesn’t have the same “tail end” costs related to Maintenance and R&D due to a lot of the upgrades to the Eagle being financed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the years. Cheers Gulf boys, cheers!

[@MizanQistina]

F15 and MIG29 are the best optimal jet fghter design anyway.

[@sdfopsdmsdofjmp7863]

MIG-29 has a truly awful combat record. The airframe may be good, but the avionics are terrible.

[@MizanQistina]

@@sdfopsdmsdofjmp7863 irrelevant to what I said

[@265justy]

The F-16 would like a word..

[@MizanQistina]

@@265justy I said the best optimal design, F16 and the like are not, might be optimal but not the best design.

[@265justy]

@@MizanQistina The F-16 is the plane that set the standards for everything that came after it. . A benchmark fighter plane. First fly by wire and ment to be aerodynamically unstable for sharp manoverablity. It's a pioneering aircraft. The Mig-29 is only a smoky coal burner with a bad combat record. Most of them are rotting in disused airfields across eastern Europe and various 3rd world countries.. As for the Eagle.. Good...but very overrated.

[@JoethebigItalianguy]

That is one sexy jet. The F-15 has always been my favorite.

[@Enozenim_LJO]

i was thinking the same, though now i'm accidentally reading it as F-1SEX ._.

[@rjspires]

The F-15, and all it's variants, is one of personal favourite aircrafts, only surpassed by the the F-16.

[@pyronuke4768]

As a Navy man I've always been fond of the F/A-18 series, but hey, whatever floats your goat.

[@SvenElven]

Can't bring myself to love the F-16 with its goofy grin 😅

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

@@pyronuke4768Superhornets are awesome.

[@NahChoCheese]

The F-15 and B-52 are going to outlive everything in the USAF

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

But we've got missles. Why risk our men's lives with air combat?

[@parzivalit9860]

Gotta be prepared also it can use missles but the maintenance cost is way lower

[@Cconcorde]

Missiles can't do everything, plus fighter jets are just cooler

[@americanpaisareturns9051]

The F-4 Phantom taught our military a very important lesson. You cannot just become reliant on missiles.

[@stanjuice]

“Because it’s so much fun, Jan!”

[@Uncle_Fred]

It will mostly serve as a domestic defense aircraft. It doesn't have to worry about SAM batteries or stingers in that role. Recent events demonstrate that in a peer conflict, your aircraft mostly perform standoff shot and scoot missions anyway.

[@johnleonard9102]

I was in Okinawa on deployment a year ago. Having just finished my bachelor's degree, I was aiming to become a Navy pilot hoping to fly the P-8 Poseidon. Then I saw an F-15 take off, flying straight into the air like a rocket; that changed my mind entirely on what I wanted to fly.

[@tsebomoloi3410]

Retiring the f22 is the dumbest thing ever. Most aircraft manufacturers round the world develop stealthy jets whilst the us retires them

[@xbraazil]

pretty much because it's unused and costy as a general to maintain

[@sitrep123able]

You are missing the point that aircraft like anything are used in combination of other assets. So its not about which aircraft can counter the others but its more about combining the capabilities of all available assets

[@jamessigler6911]

These Boeing jokes aged like cheese

[@jesseenck2687]

starts out saying they are some 30 years old and the US is still using them to protect their skys like its a bad thing and it isnt 104-0 on the world stage and isnt the fastest and most heavily armed plane we have. its an absolute beast with very few planes that can match it even today. my personal favorite fighter

[@JesusismySavior-d1u]

The reason why I like F_15 eagle fighter jets it's because of the 1984 transformers G1 series because in the G1 series starscream is a F_15 eagle fighter jet!

[@superobob228]

Cost to buy was close to same, but the EX lives 20000 flight hours, f35 only does 8000. So for same money, US gets 2.5x the usage. F35 costs much more per flight hour.

[@yeeters2347]

The F-15 reinvents Air Combat twice, goes 104-0 in combat wins and losses, and is the backbone of the USAF Fighter Fleet.

[@motionsick]

I got to walk around an F15 last summer at McChord AFB. Seriously impressive especially knowing its undefeated in battle.

[@lightspeedvictory]

Said this before and I’ll say it again: we need to combine this with the Silent Eagle and the F-15S/MTD/ACTIVE/IFCS

[@raulcastro925]

It was a McDonnell Douglas aircraft in it's conception and produced by so.

[@johndyson4109]

The 15 has always been my FAVORITE fighter jet hands down! I absolutely LOVE the 15!

[@liquidwombat]

don't forget that the EX is also intended to be absolutely loaded down with long range weapons, and function a weapons platform in conjunction with the F-22. the F-22 will push ahead invisible, select targets and fire the munitions on the EXs that are hanging back at a safe distance, this gives the F-22 way more munitions available than it can carry and keeps it stealthier as it won't have to open its weapons bays. Plus, one F-22 can utilize multiple EXs for as long as the F-22s fuel lasts (which will be longer without the weight of weapons onboard) without concerns about depleting munitions loads, if all the weapons on an EX are expended then a new EX steps up to be controlled while the empty one goes back to re arm.

[@PeterMuskrat6968]

Well actually, the F-35 will also fill that role of “Pointman”

[@heatherwright1759]

Drones drones drones plus 2 seaters sukhoi can easily combine to 100 aa missile

[@callen1904]

I know its been a few months since this video came out but i gotta ask, did they check on the cockpit bolts? Are they there? Asking for a friend 😅

[@shadownor]

The sound of the F-15 is like angels liking your eardrums. From startup sequence to flight.

[@bluee3788]

Correct me if I’m wrong. I saw an article and couple of videos that the F-15EX has the most advance mission computer in any fighter aircraft.

[@Narviane]

F15 : "You invented stealth fighter. Where did that bring you? Back to me."

[@delpoxi2958]

well to be fair the f35 here would be the thing telling the ex where to fire and designate targets with more accuracy(giving them optimal missile load of the f15 with the benefits of stealth)

[@Kavci034]

8:29 F16 was actually made for a/a missions and turned into a multirole fighter later

[@russmarasheski7005]

F15: baddest 4th gen ever F15EX: Increased speed, better radar, supercomputer, larger load out and huge lifespan.

[@fabovondestory]

This is actually insane

[@alpacaofthemountain8760]

B-52: "Not bad kid"

[@Ashterix_Nocturnal]

The F 15 is the definition of an old reliable. It is also the definition of a stock car. It is good. But you can upgrade it.

[@JimmyEatDirt]

We built the F-22 and F-35 under the assumption that our geopolitical rivals had the capacity and the capability to make the weapons that would challenge US dominance on land, air and sea. Our rivals so far have underdelivered, overstated, and over-hyped their creations to a ludicrous degree.

[@bananirar]

Or the US is simply running out of money with geopolitical balance shifting so they have to plan ahead and accept the financial failures.

[@legodoc1853]

When you build a plane so good that its impossible to replace

[@nesseihtgnay9419]

the f15EX is crazy amazing, its maneuver abilities are nearly like the f22 and su35

[@Markbell73]

That's the problem with all of the military. They are constantly trying to force multi-role jack of all trades thinking into everything thst gets built. Making all of these things not really good enough at any one thing. And all of this is to make things look good on paper for politicians to push to bean counting budget committee's. We do not need an under equipped fighter bomber that can semi fight it's way into a target area, drop some ordinance. And than maybe fight it's way out. We need air dominance, Cas dominance, Sead dominance. The Pentagon spends too much money on all the wrong things, and not nearly enough on all the right things. But hey, what do I know........ I'm not the one with budget problems. Or recruitment problems... Or the enlisted retention problems.... Or the lack of capabilities problems..... Or systems integrations problems..... Or the.... Or the....... We could go on for decades. But we won't.

[@pantarkan7]

Cone on. SAC is looking to re-engine B-52s with 4 high-bypass turbofans and keep them around for another 25+ years, meaning some of the airframes will have been in service for a century. You could crew the same bird your great-grandpa flew.

[@mufasachainbreaker7757]

It is so tricky to make that decision. Stealth is fundamental for all new aircraft in modern warfare when possible. Also, the f15 is hands down one of the best fighters ever built and just makes sense to have in places while we can. The f15ex is so good that it makes sense to have it even without its stealth capability, but also missing that stealth capability is a big thing to be missing.