[Llarry]

The USAF's F-15 replacement (except for the F-15E Strike Eagle) was supposed to be the F-22A. The USAF originally wanted over 700 F-22s to ensure air dominance; under budget pressure, that goal was cut back to fewer than 400, then finally to fewer than 200. Those cuts meant that the F-15 remained active in an air superiority role alongside the F-22.

The F-15 also proved popular in the export market, bought by many nations.

Now the F-15 had been placed back in production for the USAF, but with some wrinkles. One is the powerplant: The Pratt & Whitney F100 afterburning turbofan used on all U.S. F-15s is replaced by the General Electric F110 engine on the F-15EX. The use of the F110 is not new; several foreign nations (Korea, Singapore) have specified the F110 engine for their F-15s, and the Saudis are reengining their F-15s with F110 engines.

The Israeli Air Force has reportedly ordered 25 of the new F-15EX as well.

Suffice it to say that the F-15 is alive and well some 50+ years after first flight.