How the F-15EX Eagle II fighter operates and its role alongside the F-35A stealth aircraft

Fifth-generation fighter aircraft with a low radar signature have significantly changed the world of aerial warfare today.

A test flight in an F-15EX Eagle II, the most advanced version of this excellent fighter jet
The spectacular 'zoom climb' of a USAF F-15EX Eagle II fighter at Eglin AFB

Nevertheless, fourth-generation aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 continue to play an important role in aerial warfare, despite having a larger radar signature than the F-22 or F-35. In fact, new versions of these fourth-generation aircraft are still being manufactured today. This is the case with the F-15EX Eagle II, which made its maiden flight on February 2, 2021. It is a development of the F-15E Strike Eagle—which first flew on December 11, 1986—which in turn is based on the F-15 Eagle, which first took to the skies on July 27, 1972.

Obviously, the F-15EX has a notable disadvantage compared to the F-35: its larger radar signature. This makes it more easily detectable in aerial combat or during an attack mission. Although the F-15EX features a powerful radar jammer and electronic countermeasures, these capabilities do not grant it the same ability as the F-35 to remain undetected by enemy radar. The F-15EX’s greatest advantage is its massive weapons payload—up to 13,300 kg—which is far superior to that of the F-35A in a non-stealth configuration (8,165 kg); in this setup, the aircraft carries weaponry under its wings, which results in a larger radar signature. In its stealth configuration, the F-35A’s weapons payload is reduced to 2,268 kg, which is the amount that can be accommodated within its internal weapons bays.

This weapons payload gives the F-15EX a significant role in missions alongside the F-35: while the fifth-generation fighter leverages its low radar signature for defense-breaching missions (neutralizing radars and surface-to-air missile systems) and acts as an advanced intelligence node (gathering target data and distributing it to other allied aircraft), the F-15EX operates as a provider of massive firepower. This combination is similar to the role the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet plays alongside the F-35C in the U.S. Navy, as we discussed here just a few days ago.

If you want to learn more about the F-15EX, AiTelly has released an interesting video today analyzing how this aircraft operates and showing how it carries out its missions alongside the F-35A:

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Main photo: U.S. Air National Guard / Master Sgt. Steph Sawyer. An F-15EX Eagle II from the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard in flight after taking off from Nellis AFB, Nevada, on August 27, 2026.