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