Yeah, I don’t think we are ready for 5th-Gen fighters with stealth capability this year, tbh. I am betting we will be getting them by 2026-2028. This F-15EX is just a nicer filler aircraft to add before we transition into the 5th and 6th generations territory.
I actually think EX may come after the raptor. It only uses the more advanced AIM-120 and very advanced a2g weapons with an incredibly powerful radar and tons of countermeasures
very unlikley, the diffirence between the raptor and the f15EX is VERY diffirent , the raptor would eat the eagle alive, it would be more realistic to expect a f15EX before(probably 3 major updates) the raptor
i suppose f15EX to come by may 2026
expect the raptor around early 2027 with the advanced eagle arriving early-mid 2026
The F-15EX is the only US fighter-bomber capable of using ammunition up to 22 feet (6.7 m) long and weighing 7,000 pounds (3.8 tons), including hypersonic weapons.
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Didn’t know that.
But have they put anything into service that could take advantage of that capability?
At first, a variant of the AGM-183A rocket was planned, but in September 2021, the first launch of the AGM-182 HACM rocket was from the F-15 EX…It is also possible to use the F-35…
In general, the hypersound program in the United States is as closed as ever.
The only photo of the AGM-182A HACM…
Spoiler
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New information just dropped about the F-15EX. The USAF currently plans to integrate and equip the F-15EX, along with the F-15E, with the AGM-158C-1. This is an anti-ship variant of the AGM-158 JASSM, which is a stealthy air-launched cruise missile that’s more advanced than the Navy’s Harpoon ASMs. The AGM-158C is already used on the B-1 Lancer, so the F-15E/EX would become the first strike fighter platforms in the USAF service to utilize it in the future. (Not sure if the F-35A is getting it, but the Navy’s F-35C already has integration.)
Source: USAF plans LRASM anti-ship missile integration on F-15E, F-15EX - Naval News
Here’s an artist’s 3D rendering of the F-15E(X) launching the AGM-158C:
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Do you know if the guidance is different?
Not an expert, but from what I’ve read, the AGM-158C LRASM is significantly more advanced compared to the regular AGM-158 JASSM. It has a seeker developed by BAE Systems and a sophisticated guidance system that includes jam-resistant GPS/INS, an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with automatic scene/target matching, a data link, passive electronic support measures (ESM), and radar warning receiver sensors.
In contrast, the standard AGM-158 JASSM relies mainly on inertial navigation with GPS updates for guidance. This means the AGM-158C far better suited to penetrating the intensive defense systems of enemy warships.
Additionally, the AGM-158C has a passive radar homing capability that allows it to locate ships within a targeted area, and it can also seek and hit ground targets like the standard JASSM.
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How does it compare to the AGM-158B JASSM-ER it was developed from, instead of the regular AGM-158A JASSM?
The AGM-158C is still far superior to the AGM-158B JASSM-ER when it comes to its seeker and guidance systems. The 158B has significant upgrades over the 158A, mainly improving its combat range and incorporating an updated data link for mid-course corrections.
However, the AGM-158B has a significant advantage in range over the 158C. It’s indicated that the 158B can achieve a maximum range of around 500 nmi (930 km), whereas the 158C falls shorter, with a range exceeding 200 nmi (370 km). There are tradeoffs for both 158B and 158C depending on the mission requirements.
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I predict that wait the early 5th gen fighter aircraft 3 or 4 years, but F-22A Early pre AIM-9X (Blk I)
I might want F-15E (2025) before F-15EX in 3 years
More advanced 4.5 may come in December :))
Maybe we get the new 2000’s ir missiles this June
It’s probably realistic to expect AESA typhoons alongside the F-15EX/IA and maybe the 4.5 gen semi-stealth like the KF-21 boromae or Su-57 in december, as you said i think next gen IRs (early 9x, python 4, aam-3 buff and so on) in summer with a stopgap solution for advanced IRs coming to EFT and Rafale to make up for the others
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since when is su57 4.5 gen? , its a 5th gen aircraft it would come alongside when usa and china get their f22s and j20s respectively
im hoping for f15IA by early-mid 2026
Since russia has proven that they are lacking dangerously far behind china and america in stealth tech, the only thing that makes the Felon a 5th gen is the shape of the airframe, it doesn’t have S-ducted engines or other notable stealth features required to compete in the same bracket as J-20, F-22 and F-35
so i guess it is a 4.5 lol,just i wonder how usa mains would react if it came before the f22 if it likley comes along with f15EX