US Air Force Orders 22 More F-15EX Fighters for $2.38 Billion

The US Department of War has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract to build 22 more F-15EX Eagle II fighters for the US Air Force, the company announced on Sep 29, 2026.

The award covers Lot 7 of the program. Boeing said it is now under contract for full production of Lots 1 through 7, bringing the total number of F-15EX aircraft on order to 120.

What Boeing said

“Boeing is committed to delivering this critically important aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, which will strengthen the nation’s ability to project power and stay ahead of emerging threats around the world,” said Christina Upah, Boeing’s F-15 program vice president.

Boeing did not break the contract value down by aircraft or say what share covers items other than airframes. A simple division of the headline value gives about $108 million for each of the 22 jets.

Production status

The new order follows Boeing’s delivery of F-15EX-22, which the company said is the first aircraft under the Lot 3 contract. A Boeing photo caption shows the jet on the company’s St. Louis flight ramp before its delivery in August. Boeing said it will deliver Lot 3 aircraft through the rest of 2026.

The company also said it will continue to work with the Air Force and the Department of War to raise the F-15EX production rate to two aircraft a month. It did not give a date for reaching that rate or say when Lot 7 deliveries will begin.

In other words, Lot 3 aircraft are being delivered now, while Lot 7 is the latest lot placed on contract.

The aircraft

Boeing describes the F-15EX as the most advanced version of the Eagle family. It combines an all-glass touchscreen cockpit and digital fly-by-wire controls with an open mission systems architecture.

On its product page, Boeing lists a maximum payload of 29,500 lb (13,381 kg) and the ability to carry up to 12 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. It gives a top speed of Mach 2.5, a 50,000 ft service ceiling and a maximum takeoff weight of 81,000 lb. Sensors include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the EPAWSS electronic warfare suite. Boeing says the airframe has a service life of more than 20,000 hours.

Boeing cites “legacy commonality” with earlier F-15s as a route to rapid fielding and high sortie rates. It also says the aircraft can carry hypersonic weapons and that its networking supports collaborative operations with manned and unmanned systems.

What is not yet public

Boeing’s announcement did not give a delivery schedule for the 22 Lot 7 jets, the contract number or the split of funding. Khaleej Aviation will add those details when the Air Force or the Department of War publishes them.