F-15EX first flight clears path for deliveries this quarter

The new Boeing F-15EX fighter jet completed its first flight, paving the way for the early delivery of the first two jets to the U.S. Air Force later this quarter. The jet took off and landed from St. Louis Lambert International Airport, completing a 90-minute test flight.

Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Matt Giese checked out the multirole jet’s avionics, advanced systems and software. A test team monitoring the data collected during the flight in real time confirmed that the aircraft performed as planned.

“Today’s successful flight proves the jet’s safety and readiness to join our nation’s fighter fleet,” said Prat Kumar, Boeing vice president and F-15 program manager.

The fighter’s digital backbone allows it to serve as a testbed for future technology insertion, a key capability for the Air Force. Modern variants of the F-15 also include fly-by-wire flight controls, an all-new digital cockpit, modern AESA radar and the ADCP-II fast mission computer. The F-15EX, the most advanced version to date, features the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System electronic warfare suite to improve mission effectiveness and survivability for operators.

In July, the Air Force awarded Boeing a contract to build the first lot of eight jets. Future plans call for as many as 144 aircraft.

Two F110-GE-129 engines powered the first flight.

Shawn Warren, General Manager, GE Large Combat & Mobility Engines, said, “This milestone reflects the teamwork and dedication focused on the capabilities of this outstanding fighter. We are proud to power the Air Force’s most advanced F-15 fighter.”

In June, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCM) chose GE to power the first eight F-15EX fighter aircraft. GE Aviation delivered the first shipset of F110 engines to the Air Force in early September and will provide a total of 19 engines to the service branch by 2022.

The F110-GE-129 engine is the only engine tested, integrated and certified for the fly-by-wire F-15EX. In 2014, GE began investing resources and made a long-term commitment to become qualified on the F-15EX.

With an active supply chain and fully operational production line, GE is set to deliver on the Air Force’s demand for all requested F-15EX engines to meet the branch’s rapid fielding requirements. No additional development effort is required for the F110 program.