Key Points and Summary – A head-to-head comparison between the upgraded F-15EX and the F-22 Raptor concludes that stealth remains the decisive factor in air combat.
-While the F-15EX boasts a higher top speed, longer range, and a massive payload, earning it the title of “missile truck,” it cannot hide from the F-22.
The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, arrives to 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 Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
An F-15EX Eagle II from the Defense Contracting Management Agency Boeing St. Louis, sits on the flight line at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, June 11, 2025. The aircraft visited the base as part of a site activation task force, an initial step to prepare the 127th Wing with the right infrastructure, personnel, and support the incoming F-15EX and KC-46 Pegasus missions . (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Elise Wahlstrom)
-The Raptor’s superior stealth and sensor fusion would grant it a “first-look, first-kill” advantage in a long-range fight.
-In a close-range dogfight, the F-22’s unmatched maneuverability would give it the upper hand, ensuring a decisive victory in any one-on-one encounter.
F-15EX Eagle II Can Carry 22 Missiles. It Still Wouldn’t Beat the F-22 Raptor
The F-15EX Eagle II is a comprehensive overhaul of the venerable F-15 platform.
The upgrade package completely changes the fighter’s avionics and power plant, making it well-equipped to deal with any contemporary threat.
All of this, however, comes at a steep cost. At around $94 million per jet in the fourth production lot, the F-15EX is one of the most expensive fighter jets in production behind the F-35 (depending on the variant) and the F-22.
The F-22 Raptor is the most expensive and one of the most advanced.
With all of its upgrades, how well does the F-15EX fare against the F-22?
The Eagle Takes on the Raptor
The F-15EX is built on the legacy of the F-15 platform, which has a storied combat history and a perfect air-to-air kill ratio.
The EX variant incorporates modern avionics, digital fly-by-wire controls, and advanced electronic warfare systems like EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System). Unlike the stealth-focused F-22, the F-15EX relies on survivability through electronic countermeasures and brute force.
It can carry an enormous payload and is capable of launching the newest and most advanced ordnances. Its open mission systems architecture allows for rapid upgrades, making it a flexible and future-proof platform.
A U.S. Air Force F-22 with the F-22 Raptor Demo Team performs aerial stunts at the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 12, 2022. The air show provided an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of a Joint Force in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to express MCBH’s appreciation to the residents of Hawaii and their continued support of the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Josh Gunderson, F-22 Demonstration Team pilot, soars through the sky during a demonstration practice Feb. 27, 2020, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The Heritage Flight Training Course is a training course for all single-ship aerial demonstration teams prior to the upcoming summer air show season. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Captain Kip Sumner)
In contrast, the F-22 Raptor was developed with stealth and air dominance as its primary objectives. It was designed to penetrate contested airspace, detect and destroy enemy aircraft before being seen, and maintain superiority in high-threat environments. Its stealth shaping, radar-absorbing materials, and internal weapons bays make it nearly invisible to radar.
The aircraft also features supercruise capability, allowing it to fly at supersonic speeds without using afterburners, which enhances its survivability and fuel efficiency in combat scenarios.
Its agility is unmatched, thanks to thrust vectoring and a high thrust-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for dogfighting and evasive maneuvers.
Is Stealth the Dealbreaker?
Unfortunately for the F-15Ex, stealth puts the F-22 at a major advantage in any combat scenario. The F-22’s radar cross-section is extremely low, allowing it to engage targets without being detected. This gives it a “first-look, first-kill” advantage in air-to-air combat.
The F-15EX, while not stealthy, compensates with powerful jamming and electronic warfare capabilities. It can operate in contested environments by disrupting enemy sensors and communications, rather than avoiding detection altogether.
Unfortunately, this does not fully make up for the lack of stealth capabilities.
When comparing raw performance, the F-15EX actually has a higher top speed than the F-22, reaching Mach 2.5 compared to the Raptor’s Mach 2.25. It also boasts a longer combat and ferry range of around 2,400 miles, making it better suited for extended missions and homeland defense.
The F-22, on the other hand, has a maximum ferry range of around 2,000 miles and a combat range of only 530 miles.
However, the fighter excels in altitude and climb rate, reaching service ceilings above 65,000 feet and climbing at nearly 69,000 feet per minute. These characteristics give the Raptor a significant edge in vertical maneuvering and high-altitude engagements.
Avionics and Weaponry
In terms of weaponry and avionics, both aircraft are well equipped, but the F-22 has a bit more to offer. The F-22 is equipped with an AN/APG-77 AESA radar and is fitted with IRST sensors, Missile Launch Detectors, and a sophisticated EW suite. This gives the F-22 highly sophisticated sensor fusion capabilities, which give it a comprehensive view of the battlefield. The F-15 still has an impressive avionics suite, but ultimately pales in comparison. It also possesses an advanced AESA radar and the EPAWSS system, but it lacks the comprehensive sensor fusion that is available to the F-22.
Weapons loadout is another area where the F-15EX shines. It can carry up to 22 air-to-air missiles externally, compared to the F-22’s internal loadout of six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders.
While the F-22’s internal bays preserve stealth, they limit payload. The F-15EX’s external hardpoints allow it to carry around 29,500 lb of ordnance. It can have a wide variety of weapons, including large air-to-ground munitions and air-to-air missiles. This makes it more versatile in strike missions and multi-role operations.
In Two Words: F-22 Dominates
The F-22 is usually reserved for high-threat environments where stealth and air dominance are critical. It is ideal for penetrating enemy defenses and securing airspace in the early stages of conflict.
The F-15EX, on the other hand, is designed for broader deployment. It supports homeland defense, standoff strike missions, and acts as a command node for unmanned systems. Its two-seat configuration allows for flexible mission roles, including training, command and control, and electronic warfare.
In a head-to-head battle, the F-22 won decisively every time. In a beyond visual range (BVR) encounter, the F-22 would likely detect and engage the F-15EX long before the other is aware of the F-22’s presence.
In a close-range dogfight, the F-22’s superior maneuverability would likewise give it the upper hand. While the F-15EX is a significant upgrade to the original F-15, the lack of stealth would put it at a significant disadvantage against the F-22.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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