The possible cost of the Eagle II and the Super Constellation
The Eagle II may cost more than we thought - and a classic airliner
"Always keep an 'out' in your hip pocket."
- Bevo Howard
On the Radar
During the height of the Cold War, the skies called for an aircraft that would dominate air-to-air combat. Born out of this necessity was the F-15 Eagle, a symbol of American aerial prowess. Over the decades, the Eagle has witnessed many changes, facing evolving threats and shifting technological landscapes. It’s a testament to the aircraft's robust foundation that even after so many years, it's not merely surviving but evolving. And so, we arrive at the latest iteration: the F-15EX or Eagle II.
The F-15EX isn't just an upgrade; it's a complete overhaul meant to meet the challenges of modern warfare. While it maintains the iconic silhouette of its predecessors, what lies beneath the surface is a marvel of modern aviation technology. But how much will it cost? The most recent Air Force estimate shows somewhere in the neighborhood of $94 million a copy. That number may seem high but consider the F-35A which has a unit cost of about $88 million per jet.
The Air Force is hoping to buy about 105 Eagle IIs, however the $94 million a copy figure does not include the upgraded electronic warfare (EW) system, which arguably is essential for the 4th generation Eagle to remain survivable against modern integrated air defense systems. The EW system is known as EPAWSS and will cost an additional $17 million - per jet. This would bring the total cost of the Eagle II to around $111 million per copy - which puts it at about the same price as the Eurofighter Typhoon.
This week in aviation history
13 October 1950: The skies above Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, were graced with the maiden flight of the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation prototype.
Imagine the post-World War II era: commercial air travel was booming, and there was a palpable rush of excitement in the air. Airlines were on the hunt for aircraft that could cover longer distances, carry more passengers and cargo, and do it all efficiently. They were looking for workhorses that promised economic sense with lower seat-per-mile costs than the available aircraft.
Lockheed stood at a crossroads. They pondered shelving the existing L-749 Constellation to embark on creating an entirely new turbojet-powered marvel. But after weighing the time and resources it would take to craft such an innovation, and considering the jet engines' thirst for fuel, they decided on another path. Why not refine and elevate what they already had? Thus, the decision was made to enhance the L-749 Constellation, amplifying its payload prowess.
The blueprint for the L-1049 Super Constellation began to take shape in February 1950, under the watchful eye of the renowned Kelly Johnson and his design team.
In case you missed it
Although it will likely end up costing more than initially thought, the Eagle II is a much needed aircraft for the USAF. Along with high speeds and long range, the F-15 EX can also shoot missiles farther - and faster than any other jet in the US inventory, check out this video:
Photo Outlet
Since most of this week’s issue focused on the USAF, here’s a pic I took of a Navy A-4 Skyhawk taxing at an airshow back in 2013:
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. Now you know!
-Tog