The pairing of the stealthy F-35 Lightning II and the versatile F-15E Strike Eagle is one example of the synergies the US Air Force is harnessing to advance its combat effectiveness.

The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II and fourth-generation F-15E Strike Eagle combine stealth, advanced sensor capabilities and substantial payload capacity to create a versatile, formidable force in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.​

The F-35's stealth design and advanced sensor suite enable it to operate undetected in contested environments while identifying and designating targets with precision.

Meanwhile, the F-15E, known for its speed and payload capacity, can swiftly engage these targets with a variety of munitions.

This collaboration allows the Lighting II to maintain its stealth profile while the Strike Eagle delivers firepower, effectively minimizing exposure to enemy defenses.

The Lightning II’s low-observable technology renders it nearly invisible on enemy radar, allowing it to play a crucial role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Moreover, the fighter's data-sharing technology allows it to function as a central "node" in a communications network that links friendly forces across air, land, sea and cyberspace.

Systems such as the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Link 16 enable the F-35 to detect and track targets over a wide area and share this information in real-time with other assets, such as the F-15E.

Speed and payload

As a companion to the stealth of the Lightning II, the F-15E Strike Eagle boasts impressive speed and can carry a substantial payload of both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.

The Strike Eagle is one of the fastest multirole fighter aircraft in the world, capable of reaching speeds above Mach 2.5 (3,000km/h). It boasts a range of 3,860km, one of the longest ranges of any fighter aircraft.

It also has a relatively high maximum takeoff weight of 37,000kg and is a versatile carrier of air-to-ground and air-to-air ordnance.

The aircraft has a 20mm multi-barrel gun with 500 rounds. It can carry four AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles and four AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs), or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

The F-15E also is compatible with most of the air-to-surface weapons in the US Air Force arsenal.

In scenarios where rapid response and heavy firepower are required, the F-15E can engage multiple targets effectively.

By handling the bulk of offensive operations, the F-15E allows the F-35 to focus on reconnaissance and target designation, preserving its stealth characteristics.

By combining the stealth and advanced sensors of the F-35 with the speed and payload capacity of the F-15E, the Air Force has developed a versatile and effective approach to modern aerial combat.