Aircraft & UAVs

F-15EX Eagle II

Also known as
  • F-15EX
  • F-15 EX
  • Eagle II
  • Boeing F-15EX
  • Boeing F-15EX Eagle II
  • F-15EX Eagle II fighter

The F-15EX Eagle II is Boeing's latest U.S. Air Force F-15 variant, a two-seat multirole fighter intended to replace aging F-15C/D aircraft while adding digital fly-by-wire controls, open mission systems, modern electronic warfare, and a 29,500-pound payload. U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard milestones trace the aircraft from 2021 test delivery through Portland operational fielding, weapons-training coverage, and Kadena transition work.

F-15EX Eagle II, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: The first F-15EX of USAF

Role in Conflicts

2015 Various Conflicts
Side
Unconfirmed conflict context

Public sources document U.S. F-15EX fielding and training, including first operational 142nd Wing aircraft in 2024 and air-to-ground weapons training in 2026, but do not directly tie the F-15EX to a named conflict.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Boeing
Type
Multirole fighter aircraft
Service note
Introduced in 2021; entering U.S. Air Force service
Produced
2020s-present

Specifications

Crew
1 or 2
Length
63.8 feet (19.4 meters)
Wingspan
42.8 feet (13 meters)
Height
18.5 feet (5.6 meters)
Maximum speed
Mach 2.5
Payload
29,500 pounds (13,381 kilograms)
Air-to-air load
Up to 12 AMRAAMs or an equivalent large-ordnance mix
Maximum takeoff weight
81,000 pounds (36,741 kilograms)
Ceiling
50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
Service life
20,000+ hours
Flight controls
Digital fly-by-wire
Designation And Fleet Context

The F-15EX is the U.S. Air Force's Eagle II configuration within the modern Advanced Eagle line. Boeing describes the aircraft around open mission systems, digital fly-by-wire controls, an all-glass cockpit, modern mission software, and high payload capacity; Air & Space Forces Magazine identifies it as an F-15QA-based replacement path for legacy F-15C/D aircraft.

Program role

U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard F-15C/D replacement and multirole capacity aircraft.

Weapons capacity

Boeing lists a 29,500-pound payload and the ability to carry up to 12 AMRAAMs or a comparable large-ordnance mix.

Fielding lane

Portland became the first operational fielding location in 2024, while Kadena transition activity continued through 2025 and 2026.

Powerplant

GE sources identify the F110 as the in-production engine option powering advanced F-15 aircraft and delivered for the U.S. Air Force F-15EX.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
GE Aerospace F110, Afterburning turbofan fighter engine, Support EquipmentGE Aerospace F110Afterburning turbofan engine

GE says the F110 is delivered for the U.S. Air Force F-15EX and describes the engine as the certified, in-production option powering advanced F-15 aircraft.

Sources: F110 Engine, F110 FMS contract

Air-to-Air Missiles

Air Force test coverage documents F-15EX aircraft launching both an AIM-120 AMRAAM and an AIM-9X from the aircraft's new Stations 1 and 9.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
AIM-120 AMRAAM, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-120 AMRAAMBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile

The 96th Test Wing reported that F-15EX pilots fired an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile from Station 1 over the Eglin Test and Training Complex water range.

Sources: F-15EX proves out full air-to-air capability

AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-9X Sidewinder missileShort-range air-to-air missile

The same Air Force test event reported an F-15EX firing an AIM-9X from Station 9, proving the aircraft's added outer-wing missile-station capability.

Sources: F-15EX proves out full air-to-air capability

Timeline

F-15EX Eagle II Key Events

  1. Air Force receives the first F-15EX

    The Air Force accepted its first F-15EX from Boeing in March 2021 and said the aircraft would be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational testing.

    Sources: F-15EX Eagle II unveiled as newest fighter

  2. F-15EX enters first operational test mission

    Two F-15EX aircraft joined F-15C and F-15E aircraft at Nellis for integrated operational test and evaluation in air-to-air scenarios.

    Sources: F-15EX undergoes operational test mission at Nellis AFB

  3. 142nd Wing fields the first operational F-15EX

    The 142nd Wing unveiled its first F-15EX at Portland Air National Guard Base and identified itself as the first operational unit to field the aircraft.

    Sources: F-15EX makes first appearance at Oregon International Air Show

  4. F-15EX visits Kadena for Indo-Pacific transition work

    Two F-15EX aircraft arrived at Kadena for integration and familiarization training, setting up the planned permanent arrival of 36 F-15EX aircraft.

    Sources: F-15EX visit offers first look at Indo-Pacific airpower evolution

  5. Air Force reports resumed F-15EX deliveries

    AFLCMC said F-15EX deliveries to Portland resumed after Boeing St. Louis production delays, with EX14, EX15, and EX16 delivered in 2025.

    Sources: F-15EX Production Rebounds, Deliveries Continue

  6. F-15EX returns to Kadena before permanent basing

    An F-15EX returned to Kadena with F-15E aircraft for training that supported preparations for long-term F-15EX operations at the base.

    Sources: F-15EX returns to Kadena, advances transition to next-generation airpower

Media

F-15EX Eagle II Videos

F-15EX Eagle II Images

F-15EX Eagle II, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: F-15EX fighter aircraft
F-15EX Eagle II, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: F-15EX Eagle II
F-15EX Eagle II, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3
Source: F-15EX Eagle II
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Related News

Sources

F-15EXPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports the aircraft's manufacturer background and published specifications, including payload, speed, ceiling, service life, digital fly-by-wire controls, open mission systems, and weapons-capacity claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX Eagle II unveiled as newest fighterPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the aircraft's introduction, role as the Air Force's newest fighter, and early fielding timeline. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX undergoes operational test mission at Nellis AFBPublisher: Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center | Note: Supports the October 2021 operational test milestone, digital flight-control context, and the connection between test aircraft and future Air Force fielding. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX proves out full air-to-air capabilityPublisher: Air Force Materiel Command | Note: Supports F-15EX relationships to AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X missiles by documenting launches from the aircraft's new Stations 1 and 9 during 96th Test Wing testing. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Air & Space Forces F-15EX Eagle IIPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Specialist reference supporting variant context, F-15QA lineage, F-15C/D replacement role, dimensions, maximum takeoff weight, and fleet-planning background. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F110 EnginePublisher: GE Aerospace | Note: Supports the F110 engine relationship to the F-15EX and advanced F-15 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-25F110 FMS contractPublisher: GE Aerospace | Note: Supports F110-GE-129 deliveries for the U.S. Air Force F-15EX and allied F-15 fleets. | Accessed: 2026-06-25142nd Wing unveils novel F-15EX Eagle II AircraftPublisher: U.S. Air Force / 142nd Wing | Note: Supports fielding context by identifying the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing as the first operational unit to field the F-15EX. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Operation Epic Fury F-15EX training coveragePublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports background on F-15EX Eagle II air-to-ground weapons training; the item is training coverage and does not directly document F-15EX combat use in Operation Epic Fury. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX makes first appearance at Oregon International Air ShowPublisher: 142nd Wing / U.S. Air National Guard | Note: Supports background fielding context: the 142nd Wing welcomed its first F-15EX in June 2024 and identified itself as the first operational unit to field the aircraft, without tying that fielding to a named conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX visit offers first look at Indo-Pacific airpower evolutionPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the July 2025 Kadena visit, Indo-Pacific transition context, and planned permanent arrival of 36 F-15EX aircraft at Kadena. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX Production Rebounds, Deliveries ContinuePublisher: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center | Note: Supports 2025 production-delay and delivery-resumption context, including EX14, EX15, and EX16 delivery milestones. | Accessed: 2026-07-03F-15EX returns to Kadena, advances transition to next-generation airpowerPublisher: 18th Wing / U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the June 2026 Kadena return, long-term basing preparation, and advanced avionics/electronic-warfare/weapons-capacity context. | Accessed: 2026-07-03The first F-15EX of USAFPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary F-15EX catalog image; Commons hosts the file and its licensing details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20F-15EX fighter aircraftPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a gallery image of the F-15EX; Commons hosts the file and its licensing details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20F-15EX Eagle IIPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a gallery image of the F-15EX Eagle II; Commons hosts the file and its licensing details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20142nd Wing F-15EX Eagle II unveiling ceremonyPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Portland Air National Guard Base unveiling image; Commons hosts the file and its licensing details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20