F-15EX passes missile firing milestone
F-15EX Eagle II preparing to fire an AIM-120D AMRAAM in a Weapons System Evaluation Program mission on 25 January. (Photo: USAF)
A USAF F-15EX fighter aircraft has test-fired a missile for the first time.
An F-15EX fighter aircraft from the 40th Flight Test Squadron recently launched an AIM-120D advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) at a BQM-167 aerial target drone as part of an air-to-air weapons system evaluation programme (WSEP).
During the 25 January flight, the F-15EX detected the drone using onboard sensors, acquired a weapons-quality track and launched the AMRAAM at the target.
‘After tracking the missile’s release and flight toward the BQM-167, the shot was determined a WSEP success, at which point the missile flight was terminated,’ USAF Air Combat Command announced on 29 January.
The successful AMRAAM release marked the first weapon fired from the F-15EX Eagle II and another milestone in the programme following more than six months of integrated developmental and operational flight testing.
‘This was an end-to-end verification of the entire weapons system, which will pave the way for more complex missile shots in the future,’ said Colton Myers, F-15EX test project manager with the Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![European Defence Agency picks Airbus Helicopters’ Capa-X for M2UAS project]()
European Defence Agency picks Airbus Helicopters’ Capa-X for M2UAS project
The multi-mission uncrewed platform project is aiming to help the EU agency define new drone designs that are capable of performing a wide range of mission sets with one adaptable airframe.
-
![Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos]()
Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos
A production decision on Increment 1 of the CCA Programme is due to be made by the end of the year, with further demonstrations building on F-22 Raptor and MQ-20 Avenger teaming flight tests.
-
![First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion]()
First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion
The US is currently escalating its efforts to acquire more than 300,000 low-cost one-way attack drones, with the confirmed use of these platforms against Iran in recent days emphasising their growing use in combat.
-
![UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract]()
UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract
The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
-
![NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort]()
NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort
The NATO agency gave further updates on the next stages of its rotorcraft programme and timelines for the next three years, with the initiative aimed at replacing ageing medium-lift helicopters in various NATO countries.
-
![UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO]()
UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO
A potential announcement within days could end speculation around the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement direction for the NMH programme.
