F-35 Delays Drove Boost to Air Force’s F-15EX Buy

F-35 Delays Drove Boost to Air Force’s F-15EX Buy

Repeated delays to critical F-35 upgrades helped drive the Air Force to more than double its planned fleet of F-15EX Eagle II fighters, a top official said May 12. The total buy of F-15EXs—an advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle made by Boeing—has fluctuated in recent years, most recently increasing from 129 to 267 as part of the fiscal 2027 budget proposal. When the budget was released in April, an Air Force official said the service ne…

U.S. Air Force links expanded F-15EX procurement plan to F-35 upgrade and delivery delays

The F-15EX, built by Boeing, is an advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle and is intended to replace older aircraft while adding fighter capacity. The Air Force had previously said it needed both F-15EX and F-35A aircraft to maintain a balanced fighter force with different weapons loads and operational roles, including in a potential Pacific conflict. Lt. Gen. David Tabor, deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, told the Senate Armed S…