OHIO— The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 additional F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, expanding the aircraft program to 120 fighters under contract across seven production lots.
The Lot 7 award was signed on September 29, one day before the end of the U.S. government’s fiscal year.
The latest order strengthens Boeing’s F-15EX production commitments as the company works to increase output at its St. Louis, Missouri facility.
The aircraft is also moving toward wider operational use, with the first F-15EX assigned to Japan having recently left Boeing’s facility for further preparations before its eventual move to Kadena Air Base.
Boeing F-15EX Contract Details Explained Clearly
The $2.38 billion agreement covers 22 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft under Lot 7, bringing the total number of fighters contracted by the Air Force to 120.
Dividing the contract value by the aircraft quantity gives an average of about $108 million per fighter, although that figure does not include engines, which the Air Force purchases separately.
The timing of the award was important because the Air Force had to complete the procurement within available funding.
According to the service, negotiations accounted for inflation and the effects of a 2025 production disruption while keeping all 22 aircraft within the available funding.
The F-15EX program has also expanded significantly beyond earlier procurement plans. The Air Force had previously considered a smaller fleet, but its latest plans call for substantially more aircraft, with the program target increased to 269 fighters earlier this year.
Advanced Eagle II Features and Upgrades
The F-15EX is the latest production version of the F-15 Eagle family and incorporates major upgrades over earlier variants.
Its systems include digital fly-by-wire flight controls, an all-glass touchscreen cockpit, an advanced active electronically scanned array radar, and modern electronic warfare equipment.
The fighter is being introduced to replace older F-15C/D aircraft in parts of the Air Force fleet.
Kadena Air Base in Japan is preparing for the F-15EX as part of its transition from the older Eagle variants, while the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing has already operated the aircraft.
The new fighter retains the basic Eagle configuration while adding modern mission systems and cockpit technology.
This allows the Air Force to continue using the established F-15 platform while introducing newer avionics and operational capabilities.
Boeing Targets Higher Production Rates for Future Deliveries
Boeing has begun delivering aircraft from earlier production lots while preparing for a higher manufacturing rate.
The company said it is currently delivering Lot 3 aircraft and plans to continue those deliveries through the remainder of 2026.
Boeing and the Air Force are also working toward a production rate of two F-15EX fighters per month.
The higher rate will support the growing number of aircraft under contract as the service continues its broader F-15EX modernization plans.
The latest contract also came on the same day Boeing secured the U.S. Navy’s next-generation F/A-XX fighter program, giving the company major fighter-development wins with both U.S. military services, ASF reported.
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