The spectacular 'zoom climb' of a USAF F-15EX Eagle II fighter at Eglin AFBA puzzling comparison of the maneuverability of the F-15QA and F-22 fightersThis excellent fighter jet has been in service for 50 years with a remarkable record: it has shot down 106 enemy aircraft without ever being defeated in aerial combat. An F-15EX Eagle II of the USAF's 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron landing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, on July 16, 2025 (Photo: U.S. Air Force ). Production of the F-15E ceased in 2017, but it already has a replacement: the F-15EX Eagle II. An F-15EX Eagle II of the USAF's 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron flying behind a KC-135 Stratotanker tanker over the Pacific Ocean on July 1, 2026 (Photo: U.S. Air Force ). An F-15EX Eagle II taking off from the Air National Guard base in Portland, Oregon, on December 15, 2025, in a clean configuration, meaning without underwing weapon racks (Photo: DVIDShub.net ).