This high-capacity weapon will give the IAF a significant edge over the enemy.
Washington: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering to induct new multirole fighter aircraft in its fighter fleet. The force is also eyeing the American Boeing F-15EX fighter aircraft for the purpose.
According to new information, the Boeing F-15EX has offered state-of-the-art capabilities to the Indian Air Force with its advanced AMBER missile racks. These racks will provide unprecedented versatility and operational flexibility, enabling the fighter to carry a wide range of weapons for various mission profiles.
Known for its exceptional performance, the F15-EX will be equipped with AMBER missile racks capable of carrying 22 air-to-air missiles. This will allow the aircraft to target multiple targets simultaneously. This high-capacity weapon will give the IAF a significant edge over the enemy. The resilience of the Amber Rack missile is not limited to air-to-air warfare. They also offer the ability to carry small-sized bombs and a combination of direct attack weapons.
The F-15EX is a member of the F-15 Advanced Eagle family of aircraft, a further development of the F-15E design that began with the F-15SA which first flew in 2013 and continued with the F-15QA which first flew in 2020. The Advanced Eagle in the F-15EX configuration represents the current baseline in F-15 production.
What is Amber Missile Rack?
Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejection Rack (AMBER) is a large missile rack. Each rack can hold four missiles. The F15-EX fighter jets will have four amber racks under each wing and one rack below its belly. It can carry 20 long-range AIM-120D missiles. Also on the wing trail is the ability to carry two short-range AIM-9X missiles. In this way, with the amber rack, this fighter can carry 22 missiles simultaneously. This is a huge capacity and none of the fighter jets currently have it.
The Indian Air Force had announced a requirement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft in April 2018. The Indian Navy also needed new fighter aircraft. Eight aircraft responded to requests for information (RFI), including Boeing’s F15-EX.