Pentagon Allocates $3.1 Billion for Continued Production of Boeing F-15EX Jets to Strengthen Air Force Capabilities
The United States Department of Defense has requested $3.1 billion in its Fiscal Year 2026 budget to continue purchasing Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, aiming to acquire 21 more of the aircraft. This allocation highlights the Pentagon's ongoing efforts to enhance the tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force while ensuring continued production at Boeing's facilities in St. Louis.
The F-15EX Eagle II represents a major advancement over the previous F-15 models, designed to support stealth fighters such as the F-35 by providing superior payload capabilities, enhanced survivability, and greater range. The aircraft can be equipped with up to 22 air-to-air missiles or a variety of precision-guided munitions, including the hypersonic AGM-183A ARRW. It features advanced technologies like the AN/APG-82 AESA radar, the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), a digital cockpit with multifunctional large-area displays, fly-by-wire controls, and an open mission systems architecture for integrating future weapons and sensors.
Initially, the U.S. Air Force contract in 2020 aimed for up to 144 aircraft. However, the plan has since been adjusted to acquire 104 jets, focusing on replacing the older F-15C/D fleet and maintaining air superiority. By mid-2025, nine F-15EX jets had already been delivered to operational units, including the 142nd Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard.
Investing in the F-15EX is seen as crucial for bridging the transition from legacy fighter jets to future sixth-generation aircraft, ensuring that the U.S. Air Force maintains strong and adaptable air combat capabilities in both domestic and contested environments.
