The US decides to fund the continued production of the F-15EX Eagle II fighters
Boeing F-15EX Eagle II. Handout photo from U.S. DoD
By: Manuel Mogato | Published: June 29, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Washington – US Department of Defense has announced a $3.1 billion funding for the continued production of the US Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II, supporting the acquisition of 21 additional airframes.
A senior defense official said the funding for the F-15EX Eagle II was included in the proposed defense budget for fiscal Year 2026, affirming the Pentagon’s sustained commitment to modernizing the US Air Force’s tactical airpower fleet.
The defense official said the Department of Defense aims to reinforce the industrial base and maintain production continuity at Boeing’s facilities, while advancing the operational capability of the US Air Force.
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The F-15EX, a heavily upgraded variant of the legacy F-15 platform, is designed to complement stealth platforms like the F-35 by offering unmatched payload capacity, high survivability, and extended range, making it particularly suited for both homeland defense and contested environments.
The F-15EX Eagle II is developed and manufactured by Boeing Defense, Space & Security at its St. Louis, Missouri production facility.
It was officially introduced as part of a contract awarded in July 2020, with the initial deal covering eight aircraft and a ceiling value of approximately $23 billion for up to 144 aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force has since refined its procurement plans to a total of 104 aircraft, replacing the aging fleet of F-15C/D models and ensuring continued air superiority.
Technically, the F-15EX offers unmatched payload capacity, capable of carrying up to 22 air-to-air missiles or a broad array of precision-guided munitions including hypersonic weapons like the AGM-183A ARRW. Its twin F110-GE-129 engines provide exceptional thrust and operational range, enabling deep-strike and extended air patrol missions.
The platform is also equipped for secure communications and network-centric warfare, acting as a critical node in multi-domain operations.
As of mid-2025, Boeing has delivered nine F-15EX aircraft to the US Air Force. The initial eight from production Lots 1A and 1B were assigned to developmental testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and to operational units like the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard in Portland.
The ninth aircraft, the first of Lot 2, was also delivered to Portland, with more expected in line with the FY2026 production order.
The United States Armed Forces hopes to complete the planned fleet of 104 F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft.
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