US Air Force awards $2.38B contract to Boeing for 22 F-15EX fighters
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The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for the production of 22 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft under Lot 7. The contract uses previously available funds from a congressional reconciliation package, titled 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' which required the funds to be spent before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Brig. Gen. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate, stated that the lot reflects a disciplined approach to executing resources while balancing production disruptions and inflation in the defense industrial base. The agreement incorporates Pentagon acquisition transformation principles, including an integrated F-15 negotiation team to boost delivery. This contract brings the total number of F-15EX aircraft on order to 120 across Lots 1 through 7. The F-15EX is a multirole heavy fighter designed to replace aging F-15C and F-15D aircraft, featuring advanced avionics, large-area displays, digital backbone architecture, and increased survivability.
Source report
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract to produce 22 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft. The funding comes from previously available congressional reconciliation funds, enabling the service to maintain procurement ahead of the fiscal year deadline.
Contract Details
The award falls under Lot 7 and reflects current programmatic realities, according to a recent Air Force release. This includes the effects of 2025 production disruptions and inflation within the defense industrial base.
“Lot 7 reflects a disciplined approach to executing available resources while balancing the realities affecting defense production,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for the Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate.
“The team remained focused on affordability, production continuity and delivering the aircraft needed to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s fighter fleet for the threats we face today and into the future,” he added.
Acquisition Approach
The agreement demonstrates the Pentagon’s acquisition transformation principles by incorporating an F-15 negotiation team to accelerate delivery, the release noted.
Funding Source
Funding for the Lot 7 agreement was drawn from the 2026 budget and a subsequent reconciliation package, titled One Big Beautiful Bill. The funds were required to be spent before the fiscal year ends on September 30, or face reductions to the allocated amount.
Boeing's Announcement
While the Air Force did not disclose the agreement’s cost, Boeing announced the $2.38 billion price tag in a separate company release. Boeing is now under contract with the Air Force for Lots 1 through 7, bringing the total number of aircraft to be manufactured to 120.
About the F-15EX
The F-15EX is built on the F-15 design and is intended to replace aging F-15C and F-15D aircraft. Described as a multirole heavy fighter, the aircraft features:
- Advanced avionics
- Large-area displays
- Digital backbone architecture
- Increased survivability capabilities
About the Author
Cristina Stassis is a reporter covering the defense industry, national security, military and veteran affairs, and related topics. She previously served as an editorial fellow for Defense News in 2024, assisting the newsroom with breaking news across Sightline Media Group.
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U.S. Air Force awards Boeing $2.38B contract for 22 F-15EX Eagle II fighters