Production and Manufacturer History
The F-15EX Eagle II is produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security in the United States. The aircraft's lineage traces back to the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle; Boeing inherited these programs following its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas. The F-15EX is part of the "Advanced Eagle" family, which includes the F-15SA and F-15QA variants produced since 2011. On July 13, 2020, the United States Air Force (USAF) awarded Boeing a US$1.2 billion contract for the first eight new-build F-15EX aircraft. While the USAF initially planned to procure 144 units, the current procurement cap has been reduced to 104 aircraft. As of the latest reports, the F-15EX remains in full-scale production.
Design and Technical Specifications
Derived from the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-15EX is the most advanced iteration of the Eagle series. It is the first USAF F-15 variant to feature digital fly-by-wire flight controls. The cockpit is modernized with a Large Area Display (LAD) glass interface and touch-screen capabilities. Its avionics suite includes the Raytheon AN/APG-82 AESA radar, the BAE Systems Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS), and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS).
Technically, the aircraft is powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engines, each generating approximately 29,000 lbf of thrust. This propulsion system enables a maximum speed of Mach 2.5. The aircraft's dimensions include a length of 63.8 ft, a wingspan of 42.8 ft, and a height of 18.5 ft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 81,000 lb. The crew consists of a pilot and an optional second crew member, both utilizing ACES 5 zero/zero ejection seats.
Operational Service and Performance
The F-15EX performed its first flight on February 2, 2021, and the first two test aircraft were delivered to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on March 11, 2021. The aircraft achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in July 2024. Its primary strategic role is to serve as a "missile truck," utilizing an open architecture to carry up to 29,500 lb of payload. This includes the capacity for up to 22 air-to-air missiles or hypersonic weapons up to 22 ft in length.
Beyond the USAF, the F-15EX design has seen significant international interest. Indonesia signed an agreement in August 2023 for 24 aircraft, and Israel signed a contract in December 2025 for 25 F-15IA fighters based on the EX design. Egypt has also been in negotiations for up to 46 aircraft. Within the USAF, the aircraft is slated for deployment at various bases, including Kadena Air Base in Japan and Fresno Air National Guard Base in California.