The U.S. Air Force is exploring the integration of a missile warning system (MWS) onto its F-15EX Eagle II fighters, a capability absent from the initial production models despite the aircraft’s design accommodating such sensors. The omission has drawn attention amid heightened combat operations over Iran, where recent engagements have involved passive infrared-guided threats like heat-seeking missiles. The F-15EX, derived from legacy F-15 variants that included MWS functionality, was expected to inherit this feature, making its exclusion from early deployments notable given the platform’s $100 million price tag and the availability of sensor slots pre-installed on the airframe. Twenty-two F-15EX aircraft are currently in service, with plans to procure 267 total under a $2.38 billion contract for 120 jets, including an initial batch of 22. Boeing, the manufacturer, has confirmed that the design incorporates six dedicated locations for MWS sensors, including two horn-like sponsons beneath the cockpit, two at the tailplane extremities, and two positioned to enable full 360-degree coverage. These slots were originally intended for systems like the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), which has been used on F-15 variants such as the F-15SA for Saudi Arabia and the F-15QA for Qatar. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has issued a contracting notice seeking proposals for an operationally qualified threat detection system that can integrate with existing infrastructure without requiring structural modifications. The proposed system must utilize the pre-designated sensor points, data and power connections, and cooling pathways, and must be installable by maintenance crews using line replaceable units. While the notice does not name a specific vendor or system, it emphasizes the need for minimal false alarms and seamless field integration. The CMWS, developed by BAE Systems, employs electro-optic sensors to detect missile launches and has been adapted across various aircraft and helicopters, including U.S. Army rotorcraft. The Air Force may consider alternatives that offer enhanced functionality, though any solution would need to align with the F-15EX’s existing defensive architecture, which already includes the Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) for radar threat mitigation. However, EPAWSS does not address passive infrared-guided missiles, which rely on thermal signatures and are not detectable through radar emissions. Infrared-seeking weapons have been observed in recent conflicts, including engagements involving Houthi forces in Yemen who have targeted Saudi Arabian F-15SA aircraft using shoulder-fired MANPADS. These incidents underscore the growing prevalence of passive air defense systems capable of exploiting thermal vulnerabilities. While the F-15EX fleet has not yet experienced such an engagement, the lack of an MWS has been characterized as a growing operational concern, particularly as adversaries adopt more sophisticated infrared-guided weaponry. The Air Force has not confirmed timelines or plans for MWS integration, and no procurement commitment has been made. The development reflects ongoing efforts to address evolving threats in contested environments, with the proposed addition aiming to close a capability gap identified across multiple domains of modern warfare.