This heavy configuration would allow fully assembled JDAMs to be transported to a remote location to rearm the F-15E and other aircraft as part of the Agile Combat Employment model.

The US Air Force posted an interesting photo of a recent test conducted by the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, showing an F-15E Strike Eagle (on loan from the 40th Flight Test Squadron, the same that will receive the first F-15EX) about to fly with six inert GBU-38 JDAMs on one side of the aircraft on February 22, 2021. The shape of a larger GBU-31 is visible on the other side of the aircraft.

This test is a proof of concept for Agile combat job (ACE) which aims to increase the payload capacity of the Strike Eagle so that it can act as a “bomb truck” and move fully assembled bombs that can be used remotely to rearm the F-15E itself or d ‘other planes.

“Currently the F-15E is cleared to carry a maximum of nine JDAMs, but the success of this test brings that number to 15 JDAM,” said Major Andrew Swanson, F-15E Weapons System Officer, 85th TES . Until now, the F-15E was only allowed to carry three JDAMS under the three lower loading points of each “Fast Pack”, plus one below the centerline and two more replacing the external fuel tanks. After these tests, the Striking eagle will be authorized to transport JDAM also on the three higher points of transport of the “Fast Packs”.

“The Strike Eagle can now carry enough JDAM for an active combat mission, land in a remote location and reload and / or another aircraft – such as an F-35 or F-22 – for combat sorties. additional, “said Lt. Col. Jacob Lindaman, commander of the 85th TES. USAF Press release noted that not all transported JDAMs can be used in a single mission, so it is possible that the six bombs mounted on the top pickup points of the “Fast Packs” will not be allowed to be dropped in combat, limiting the F-15E to drop them only from the lower pick-up points.

According to the US Air Force, the ACE Concept envisions the ability to generate air power from austere airfields with varying levels of capability and support in a contested environment, dispersing forces to different or remote airports and sustaining their operations with fewer specialists. The goal is to “become more agile in our execution, more strategic in our deterrence and more resilient in our capacity.” Agility, deterrence and resilience are essential to defense and operational capability in a contested environment, ”states the US Air Force Europe website explaining the concept of ACE operations.

The USAF noted that reloading an aircraft in a remote location previously took two C-130s to transport the necessary ammunition and personnel and required assembly of the bombs after their delivery, which took additional time that would be considered. as invaluable in high intensity combat operations. With the additional transport allowed on the F-15E, fully assembled bombs can be transported to the remote airfield, reducing the need to a single C-130.

There, the bombs would be moved from the upper “Fast Packs” pickup points to the lower ones or to other aircraft operating from that location, eliminating the lengthy bomb assembly on site and allowing ground personnel to immediately rearm the planes as soon as the support C-130 disembarks. Additionally, the smaller F-15E would be less vulnerable than two C-130s while delivering bombs to the airfield in a contested environment.

In the past, the B-52 Stratofortress and the P-3 Orion (now replaced by the P-8 Poseidon) would have been used to transport bombs to advanced locations for other aircraft on ferry flights. The amount of support required for these aircraft would not allow them to be easily used in a similar role during ACE missions.

Considering the B-52s used to give the bombs a free ride from the US to the UK, replenishing the bomb stores with F-15s if they already make the trip doesn’t seem completely crazy.

– Tony Osborne (@Rotorfocus) March 2, 2021

According to Major Swanson, this new tactic saw the light of day at an annual weapons and tactics conference and could be used in theater in just a month.

Stefano D’Urso is a contributor for TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. He is a full-time engineering student and aspiring pilot. In his spare time, he is also an amateur aviation photographer and avid flight simulation enthusiast.