{"id":159280,"date":"2026-10-01T03:06:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T21:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=159280"},"modified":"2026-09-30T20:54:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:24:59","slug":"air-force-orders-22-more-boeing-f-15ex-fighters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/01\/air-force-orders-22-more-boeing-f-15ex-fighters\/","title":{"rendered":"Largest Air Force in the World Orders 22 More Boeing F-15EX Fighters in $2.38 Billion Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OHIO\u2014<\/strong> The U.S. Air Force <\/a>has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion<\/strong> contract for 22 additional F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, expanding the aircraft program to 120 fighters under contract across seven production lots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lot 7 award was signed on September 29, one day before the end of the U.S. government\u2019s fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest order strengthens Boeing\u2019s F-15EX production commitments as the company works to increase output at its St. Louis, Missouri facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft is also moving toward wider operational use, with the first F-15EX <\/a>assigned to Japan having recently left Boeing\u2019s facility for further preparations before its eventual move to Kadena Air Base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"US
Photo: \tU.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amy Kelley | Wikimedia Commons <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing F-15EX Contract Details Explained Clearly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The timing of the award was important because the Air Force<\/a> had to complete the procurement within available funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Ethan Wagner | Wikimedia Commons <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Eagle II Features and Upgrades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The F-15EX is the latest production version of the F-15 Eagle family and incorporates major upgrades over earlier variants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighter is being introduced to replace older F-15C\/D aircraft in parts of the Air Force fleet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kadena Air Base in Japan<\/a> is preparing for the F-15EX as part of its transition from the older Eagle variants, while the Oregon Air National Guard\u2019s 142nd Wing has already operated the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new fighter retains the basic Eagle configuration while adding modern mission systems and cockpit technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This allows the Air Force to continue using the established F-15 platform while introducing newer avionics and operational capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"South
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing Targets Higher Production Rates for Future Deliveries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boeing has begun delivering aircraft from earlier production lots while preparing for a higher manufacturing rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company said it is currently delivering Lot 3 aircraft and plans to continue those deliveries through the remainder of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boeing and the Air Force are also working toward a production rate of two F-15EX fighters per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The higher rate will support the growing number of aircraft under contract as the service continues its broader F-15EX modernization plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest contract also came on the same day Boeing secured the U.S. Navy\u2019s next-generation F\/A-XX fighter program, giving the company major fighter-development wins with both U.S. military services, ASF<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Largest Air Force in the World Looks to New F-16s as Fighter Capacity Tightens<\/a><\/blockquote>