Hobby Master HA4562

General Background:

Building on the Saudi Arabia F-15SA and Qatar F-15QA the F-15EX was brought to production in record time since a production line already existed. 84 F-15SA have been delivered to Saudi Arabia with Qatar ordering 36 F-15QAs with an option for an additional 36 aircraft. The first Qatar Emiri Air Force’s (QEAF) aircraft was delivered August 25, 2021 and the type was named Ababil after the legendary Qatari winged protector. The F-15 Eagle II will provide more speed, range and payload than any other fighter in the world.

The Aircraft:

The first Boeing F-15EX serial 20-0001 commonly known as “EX-1” completed its maiden flight on February 2, 2021 and delivered March 10, 2021. On April 20, 2021 an official ceremony was held at Eglin AFB and the new aircraft was named F-15 Eagle II. This is the most advanced version of the F-15 ever built 48 years since the first F-15A flew. The USAF hopes to purchase 76 F-15EXs over 5 years and a final total of 144. The F-15EX is ready to fight as they leave the production line.

Specifications for Boeing F-15 Eagle II (F-15EX)
Dimensions
Length – 63.8 ft
Wingspan – 42.8 ft
Height – 18.5 ft
Weight
Maximum take-off – 81,000 lbs
Power plants – 2 x General Electric F100-PW-229 turbofans with afterburners, each producing 29,000 lbs. of thrust
Speed
Mach 2.5
Range
1,762 miles (able to air refuel)
Service ceiling – 60,000 ft
Armament
1 x internal mounted M61A1 20 mm six-barrel cannon with 500 rounds
Combination of
Up to 12 AIM-9 Sidewinders
Or
AIM-120 AMRAAMs
Or
Up to 24 air-to-ground munitions such as Paveway and JDAM satellite-guided weapons
Able to carry future hypersonic weapons
Radar
APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
Integrated electronic warfare suite
Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System
Enhanced fly by wire controls
An all-digital cockpit with flat screen displays and touch panels.