TWZ: How fast will the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II be?

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Last week's air show in Singapore prompted some to speculate that the US Air Force's newest version of the Eagle could travel at "nearly Mach 3." The War Zone reported this on February 26, providing details and talking with Boeing representatives and Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter pilots.

The publication noted that at the same time, former Air Force F-15 test pilot and current Eagle II program manager Rob Novotny of Boeing spoke to the media about the “clean” configuration of the F-15EX, that is, without any external pylons, ammunition or sensors . According to him, the fighter has a maximum speed of Mach 2,9, equivalent to 2225 miles per hour above sea level.



However, Boeing later explained to TWZ that there was some misunderstanding about the Eagle II's top speed that resulted from an "extensive two-way conversation" during a press briefing. At the same time, the company explained that the “pure” configuration can accelerate to a speed of Mach 2,497, but this does not mean that the fighter cannot potentially exceed this figure thanks to the power of its two General Electric F110-GE-129 engines, each of which develops a thrust of 29 lbs at full afterburner.

However, pilots who will fly the F-15EX are unlikely to experience speeds close to Mach 2,5

– the publication says, emphasizing that flying in an “airshow configuration” has nothing in common with a real combat sortie with ammunition and conformal fuel tanks.

Moreover, the publication called the initial statement of the head of the F-15 program a “mysterious aspect”, since the question of thermal loads arose.

How can the F-15, which was never designed to reach that speed, let alone sustain a top speed of around Mach 2,5, survive at those speeds? It is not at all unique that the aircraft is limited more by thermal loads caused by air friction against the airframe and engines than by aerodynamics or thrust

– inquired about the material.

The pilot of the F-15E Strike Eagl, which was equipped with both Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engines, each producing approximately 23 pounds of thrust, as well as the more powerful F500-PW-100 engines, each producing approximately 229 pounds of thrust, cited some details.

In the plane I was flying, everything started to melt at about Mach 2. The airframe and powerplant are more than capable [of reaching speeds greater than Mach 2,5]. Paint, antennas, etc. are a different story.

- he said.

In turn, former F-5C pilot Paul Woodford said that the highest speed he reached was Mach 2,21.

I think the EX with the extra thrust from the better engines might be a little faster, but again it has the same airframe and a beefier two-seat canopy. So I highly doubt anyone will ever see speeds faster than Mach 2,2 or so. And then only for a few seconds, because they will run out of fuel

Woodford added.

Another former F-15C pilot said he was able to accelerate one of the fighters to Mach 2,25 at altitude. As for the prospects for the F-15EX in regular operation, even with more thrust it will inevitably have problems with heating and air intakes. Operational aircraft can rarely reach speeds above Mach 2,3.

We'll have to wait and see exactly what kind of weapons the F-15EX will eventually receive on the front line beyond what it's already capable of carrying now. But there's no doubt that the still-impressive top speed will be an important part of its capability set, although it will be a bit more modest than the recently touted Mach 3 figure

- summed up the media.
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  1. strange guest
    strange guest
    0
    28 February 2024 08: 21
    An old plane. The glider was developed more than half a century ago. It's simply not designed for such speeds.
  2. prior
    prior
    0
    28 February 2024 08: 39
    If a crocodile jumps into the river from a steep cliff, then we can say that it was in flight for some time.
    Well, if crocodiles fly, then why not the F-15EX crash to the ground at a speed of Mach 3?!
  3. Sergey Latyshev
    Sergey Latyshev
    -1
    28 February 2024 08: 58
    purely media confusion because speed at "above sea level." and “speed at altitude” are completely different things.
  4. svoroponov
    svoroponov
    -1
    28 February 2024 13: 24
    On this side, the speed at the ground, up to 4000 m, is limited by the speed pressure at 1400 km per hour. That is, these are restrictions on the airframe. So they can say whatever they want, glorifying the plane and the company, but the reality is this. At altitude, perhaps, but most likely this is the estimated speed based on the engine thrust. But what about heating surfaces? It may become deformed and collapse.
    How long can the engines operate in afterburner and how long will the fuel last in this mode? There are also questions regarding speeds with rockets. They just hung this side with missiles, creating from it something like an airborne Katyusha
    Only the F-35 is planned to be its partner. This means there are problems with target detection and missile guidance.
    So that's marketing for now.
    1. JD1979
      JD1979
      +1
      28 February 2024 22: 15
      Quote: svoroponov
      This means there are problems with target detection and missile guidance.

      There are no problems. don't fantasize.
      1. svoroponov
        svoroponov
        -1
        29 February 2024 20: 03
        Why then is an aircraft with a more powerful radar attached? And I know about the plane, because at one time it was one of my opponents and we analyzed his data on its capabilities and the fight against it and honed techniques, including actions when capturing its radar , the range at which this happens and after that the time before he uses his weapons (missiles), avoiding impact during capture and evading missiles. As well as his aerobatic capabilities and disadvantages. So there are no fantasies. And there is simply knowledge. In addition, this aircraft still has problems, including in terms of materiel and durability, but this is for the specialists. I can say that these aircraft really do not like close air battles. If they were unable to shoot you down at a certain range and a rapprochement occurred, then the American can be written off. They taught me and then I taught. This was then our potential enemy.
        Once upon a time, the Americans lost all their battles to us when ours visited them on a friendly visit. The Americans staged exhibition battles, and they lost. One of their elite units in the F-15 lost. The type later lost combat in exercises in India and to the MiG-21 Bison. The same type and another F-16 lost battles during exercises in Bulgaria to the Bulgarian MiG-29. In all
        cases, based on their characteristics of missiles and methods of evasion with timely detection, if there were real launches, the Indians, like the Bulgarians, were able to evade, but then the Americans no longer had a chance.
        The only thing the Americans are trying to do is install the most advanced radar possible and longer-range missiles in order to attack first and not engage in combat. Well, and more powerful engines, so that in cases of failure of attacks or misses they can quickly escape. I can say directly - at that time our aircraft radar detected an American at a range when his radar did not see us, and we reached the launch range when his radar was just starting to hover over us, but the launch range of his missiles was not yet sufficient.
        THIS IS SO FANTASTIC
        1. Mongolor
          Mongolor
          0
          23 March 2024 17: 56
          but in the movie they seem... oh vice versa and even vice versa. Of all the arts, cinema is the most important for us. IN AND. Lenin. It turns out not only for us.