Key Points and Summary – In a fictional matchup, Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15EX shine in different fights.
-The Typhoon’s canard-delta design, powerful EJ200s, and high off-boresight missiles (Meteor, ASRAAM, IRIS-T) favor it in tight, one-circle dogfights where agility and energy retention rule.
A F-15EX assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, flies behind a KC-135 assigned to the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, Oct. 15, 2021. In-air refueling allows fighter aircraft to stay airborne for longer periods of time without having to land to refuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Mary Begy)
-The F-15EX, a modernized Strike Eagle, brings range, payload, and electronic warfare with EPAWSS, 12+ hardpoints, and capacity for standoff weapons like LRASM—potentially even covering roles as Growler production ends.
-Typhoon edges WVR; Eagle II dominates multirole and standoff. Both share robust sensors and networking, but mission context decides the “winner.”
-Thankfully, they’re on the same side.
Dogfight: A Fictional Battle Between the F-15 And the Eurofighter Typhoon
In a purely fictional dogfight, after all, the Typhoon and the F-15 are both on the same side, right? But this one would be something to behold.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is generally superior in close-in, one-circle dogfights due to its exceptional maneuverability and energy-retaining capabilities, while the F-15EX excels as a multirole strike fighter with superior payload capacity, range, and electronic warfare capabilities, often leveraging its ability to carry a larger missile loadout.
The F-15EX is a fourth-generation evolution, while the Typhoon is a fourth-generation fighter, but designed for air superiority, making direct comparisons difficult as their design philosophies differ.
The F-15EX Has Evolved
At the time of its operational birth, the F-15 was the best air superiority aircraft in the world, and that isn’t open to debate until the arrival of the F-22. But its long service has seen its role shifted.
The F-15EX is a two-seat, twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft. It is a derivative of the Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15EX inherits modern advances such as “fly-by-wire” flight controls, dual Digital Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, a large touchscreen display, and additional improvements, such as the AN/ALQ-250(V)1 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System for electronic warfare.
The F-15 has been a fantastic aircraft for decades. Although non-stealthy, the F-15EX retains the dogfighting skills to mix it up with fifth-generation fighters. But there are questions about whether it could survive against long-range missiles.
Lt. Col. Richard Turner, 40th Flight Test Squadron commander, pilots the F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, to its new home at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida March 11. The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests. The 40th FLTS and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Alex Hollings of Sandboxx and Airpower has a couple of intriguing scenarios where the F-15EX could thrive in a modern battlespace against potential Chinese air defenses, if used in conjunction with US Navy assets.
Hollings believes that the F-15EX could replace the E/A-18 Growler aircraft since the Navy is ceasing production on the Growler in 2027.
“The U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler has nine total hardpoints for weapons, fuel tanks, and jamming equipment with the ability to fly with as much as 17,750 pounds of weapons and gear slung beneath it,” Hollings wrote.
“The Eagle II has 12 hardpoints that it could potentially be used for these sorts of systems (though it can be expanded to a whopping 23 for other weapons) and is capable of taking to the sky with a mind-boggling 29,500 pounds of ordnance and gear onboard,” he added.
The F-15EX Eagle II Has Long-Range Range Weapons
China isn’t the only one with plans for long-range missiles to fire from aircraft. The US stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) are an intriguing choice for a long-range weapon. F-15Es and EXs armed with LRASMs would significantly boost the Air Force’s ability to engage enemy warships, which could be particularly valuable in any potential future combat in the Indo-Pacific against China.
The AGM-158C-1 is a variant of the LRASM and has a range of 250-300 miles. Lockheed Martin is also working on a C-3 variant that will double the range to 600 miles. These will be fitted on F-15EX Eagle II fighters.
A UK Typhoon flies above the Baltics on 25 May 2022. Image Credit: NATO.
In April of last year, the US Navy, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, successfully conducted a historic Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) flight test with four missiles simultaneously in flight.
The Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is billed as the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft. The Typhoon is produced by four European nations: the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, and their leading aerospace and defence companies: Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo.
This partnership allows equal access to shared manufacturing, development, and the creation of long-lasting political and industrial relations—a genuine European collaboration.
Meet The Eurofighter Typhoon
The Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter. While it is not a stealth fighter, its surface is covered by only 15 percent metal; composite materials cover the remainder. This delivers good stealth protection from radar systems.
The engine, the EJ200, built by Rolls-Royce, is powerful, pushing the aircraft to Mach 2, and is very reliable, not requiring unscheduled maintenance for 1,200 flying hours. It is very agile and maneuverable.
The Typhoon’s E-Scan sensor array is wide, with a field of regard that is some 50 percent wider than traditional fixed plate systems.
The Multifunctional Digital Information Distribution system (MIDS) allows the aircraft to securely exchange real-time data between a wide variety of users, including air forces and, where appropriate, land and naval forces. It is high-speed, high-capacity, secure, and jam-resistant, while also enabling the sharing and receipt of information from other users within its network.
The Typhoon Is Heavily Armed
The Eurofighter is armed with several air-to-air missiles—the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) system is a long-range weapon. The IRIS-T is a supreme short-range, incredibly maneuverable, all-aspect air-to-air missile. Equipped with an innovative infrared seeker and thrust-vector control.
It is also equipped with the ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile), a British missile manufactured by MBDA, primarily used by the Royal Air Force and other air forces, and the AMRAAM missile.
The Typhoon carries a variety of air-to-surface weapons. Taurus KEPD 350 missiles, Storm Shadow missiles, and the Brimstone II missiles. It also carries the Mauser BK-27 autocannon (27mm).
Air-to-surface guided bombs include Paveway II (GBU-10) 2,000 lb bomb, Paveway II (GBU-16) 1,000 lb bomb, Paveway II (GBU-48) 1,000 lb bomb, Paveway IV, and the Joint Direct Attack Munition (GBU-54).
The Typhoon is considered to have a tighter turning radius due to its canards forward of the wings. However, Global Defense News highlighted some interesting comments about the F-15EX.
“F-15EX shows a balanced distribution of combat capabilities and is the most accessible due to being available as both a new aircraft and a modernization kit (In the case of ROK and Israel).
“The acquisition and operating costs can also be described as more advantageous thanks to common components with the F-15 family and other fighter jets from the US, like the F110-GE-129 turbofans (Common with F-16) and radar (APG-82 as stated before).
“Its weapons load is also a clear advantage, allowing for higher firepower or multirole configurations, thanks to structural enhancements and flexible multi-racks.
Who Wins: Looks Like a Draw?
In a close-in dogfight, the agile Typhoon has a close advantage, but in terms of overall mission creep with a multirole capability, the much more heavily armed F-15EX has the edge.
Are we all glad that we’re on the same side here? Both are great aircraft.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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