Boeing Delivers Two New F-15EX Eagle II Jets to US Air Force Amid Modernization Delays

 On June 6, Boeing delivered two new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to the United States Air Force (USAF), designated as EX7 and EX8. These aircraft are set to join the 142nd Airlift Wing, which is part of the Oregon Air National Guard’s Redhawks. With this delivery, the USAF now has six F-15EX aircraft. The Air Force plans to acquire a total of 104 fighters from Boeing, up from the initially planned 80, to replace the aging F-15C/D Eagle fleet and support the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II fleets.

The modernization of the F-15EX has encountered significant delays due to manufacturing and quality issues identified in the fuselage and cabin assembly since June 2023. The Government Accountability Office has reported that these problems could delay the F-15EX program by up to six months, affecting the US's ability to deploy airpower overseas. For example, the retirement of F-15C/D Eagles left 48 positions vacant at the US Air Force base in Okinawa, disrupting strategic plans. In response, the USAF relocated some F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii and deployed F-16 aircraft. Additionally, two National Guard squadrons in Japan have increased their presence in the region.

The delivery delays also impact foreign customers like Israel, which has requested expedited delivery due to its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Earlier this year, Israel requested a new squadron of 25 F-15EX fighters, an additional squadron of F-35I fighters, and a squadron of AH-64E Apache helicopters to bolster its military capabilities.

The F-15EX Eagle II is an advanced variant of the F-15 fighter, designed to replace older F-15C/D models. It features enhanced avionics, increased payload capacity, and modernized systems for superior performance in contemporary combat scenarios. The aircraft measures approximately 63.8 feet in length, with a wingspan of 42.8 feet and a height of 18.5 feet. Its maximum takeoff weight is about 81,000 pounds, making it one of the most robust fighters in the USAF.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, each producing 29,000 pounds of thrust with afterburners, the F-15EX can exceed speeds of Mach 2.5 and offers exceptional maneuverability. It includes an advanced fly-by-wire control system, a digital cockpit with large-area displays, and an open mission systems architecture for rapid integration of new technologies.

The avionics suite features the Raytheon AN/APG-82[V]1 AESA radar for superior detection and tracking, and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) for enhanced situational awareness and targeting. The aircraft is equipped with the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) for electronic warfare, and the Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II) for high-speed data processing and mission management.

In terms of armament, the F-15EX can carry a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder, as well as air-to-ground munitions such as JDAM and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). It also has an internal M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm cannon for close-in combat.

The operational range of the F-15EX is about 1,200 nautical miles without refueling, which can be extended significantly through aerial refueling, allowing it to perform long-range missions and maintain a persistent presence in contested areas.

Russia's UMPB D-30SN Glide Bombs: A Game Changer in Ukraine Conflict

 Kharkiv, a resilient city in Ukraine, has recently endured devastating attacks from Russia's updated Soviet-era glide bombs. On May 25, Russian forces launched two glide bombs on the city. The first bomb hit a hypermarket with about 200 people inside, resulting in approximately 60 deaths and 40 injuries. Shortly after, a second bomb targeted a residential area in central Kharkiv, injuring 14 people.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted Ukraine's urgent need for a defense system against these guided bombs, noting that Russia deployed over 3,200 guided bombs against Ukrainian targets in April alone.

These glide bombs are not new but are upgraded versions of older weapons. A glide bomb is a conventional air-dropped bomb modified for remote launching with enhanced accuracy through wing kits and satellite navigation systems, making them "smart" bombs. Originating from World War II's German Fritz X, glide bombs have been used by various nations in conflicts, including the Vietnam War and the Iraq War.

Russia has modernized its Soviet-era FAB-500 and FAB-1500 bombs by adding a Unified Gliding and Correction Module, which includes fold-out wings and satellite navigation. This upgrade transforms them into guided weapons, offering substantial destructive power while reducing risks to aircrews. These glide bombs have become highly effective for Russia in the ongoing war.

According to Ukrainian media, the Russian military used the new UMPB D-30SN glide bombs in the attack on the Kharkiv hypermarket. The UMPB D-30SN is an additional equipment kit for Soviet-standard bombs, specifically the FAB-250 high-explosive bomb. This kit converts a free-falling bomb into a glide bomb by deploying wings, allowing it to glide towards its target and enabling aircraft to release bombs from a safe distance.

The UMPB D-30SN boasts an operational range 20 to 30 km greater than its predecessor, the UMPK. Paired with the 500-kilogram FAB-500 bomb, it can autonomously fly for 60 to 65 km when launched from a high altitude by a fast-moving aircraft. These bombs cause significant damage but lack the precision of guided missiles, making them less effective against mobile targets but highly destructive to buildings and bunkers.

Reports indicate that glide bombs have played a significant role in Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine, particularly in Kharkiv Oblast. The Kyiv Independent warns that these bombs pose a growing threat to Ukraine, which currently lacks effective defenses against them. As Russia continues to deploy glide bombs, experts express concerns about the escalating danger they present.

Ukraine is struggling to counter Russian glide bombs due to advanced Russian electronic jamming. The Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), developed by Boeing and Saab Group and recently supplied to Ukraine, has faced challenges against this jamming. Despite its innovative navigation system, Russian interference has caused many GLSDB bombs to miss their targets.

Air power expert Justin Bronk from the RUSI think tank highlighted Ukraine's difficulties in defending against these bombs. While Ukraine has had some success intercepting high-altitude glide bomb attacks using Patriot launchers, these systems have also been targeted and destroyed by Russian forces.

The ongoing conflict has turned the skies over Ukraine into a high-stakes battleground of technological warfare, with control over glide bomb technology playing a crucial role.

Project-75I: German Shipbuilder to Provide Stealthy AIP Submarines with Lithium-Ion Batteries to Indian Navy

 

The Indian Navy is pursuing the acquisition of six submarines under its Project-75I, which aims to integrate Fuel Cell Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology with Lithium-ion batteries. This combination will enable the submarines to remain submerged for extended periods and move swiftly without compromising their stealth.

The focus of the Indian Navy is not on having the largest or fastest submarines but rather on achieving superior stealth and lethality. German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp, a leading contender for the contract, has proposed its 214-class submarines, which incorporate advanced AIP technology and are tailored to Indian requirements. These submarines will be an enhanced version of the 214 class, featuring advanced sensors, combat systems, and Lithium-ion batteries, all while maintaining stealth capabilities.

Dr. Christian Frühling, Program Head for Project-75I at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (tkMS), emphasized that their unique AIP solution and proven submarine design would be game-changing for the Indian Navy. The AIP system provides long-range endurance at low speeds, while the Lithium-ion battery enables high-speed cruising, allowing the submarines to cover extensive areas like the Bay of Bengal while remaining submerged.

The hydrogen-powered AIP technology allows the submarines to stay submerged for up to three weeks, significantly reducing the need to surface and enhancing stealth. The 212 and 214 class submarines operate silently, launching torpedoes stealthily and featuring countermeasures against enemy torpedoes. These submarines can also "bottom" on the ocean floor, conserving energy and extending mission duration while using passive sonar to detect targets.

Efficient energy systems are crucial for the Indian Navy, which currently has only 16 conventional submarines against a requirement for 24. Most of these submarines are over 30 years old, making Project-75I a high priority.

AIP-based submarines are more cost-effective and easier to maintain than nuclear-powered ones. They have modular fuel cell systems and smaller crews. The German government, which initially hesitated when the tender was issued three years ago, now supports the project. In March 2024, the German Navy provided its submarine for the Indian Navy's evaluation.

TkMS, confident in its technology, remains the only company with sea-proven fuel-cell-based AIP systems. The 214-class submarines are already in service with Greece, Portugal, Turkey, and South Korea. The Indian Navy, which operates 209-class submarines, has partnered with Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) for repairs and refurbishments. TkMS and MDL jointly produced four submarines for the Indian Navy and are now bidding together for Project-75I.

In Project-75I, the submarines will be built in India from the first unit onward, with TkMS providing design and critical components. MDL will lead the project, with the first submarine expected to be completed seven years from the contract date, followed by one submarine annually.

The field evaluations for Project-75I are set to conclude by June. Spain's Navantia is also competing for the contract but lacks operational AIP technology. Given India's urgent need for advanced submarines to counter China's growing maritime presence, a government-to-government contract to build these submarines in India is a possibility.