Operational F-15EXs Drop Live Bombs For The First Time

Operational US Air Force F-15EX aircraft released live bombs for the first time, moving the type's fielding effort beyond developmental testing and inert training stores. The event allowed aircrews, maintainers and weapons personnel to validate loading, mission planning, release procedures and aircraft-system performance under unit operating conditions. It is a qualification and readiness milestone rather than proof of full combat capability across the Eagle II's extensive planned weapon set, and additional test points, software clearances, tactics development and squadron conversion work are required as more aircraft enter service.