The first F-15EX departs a Boeing facility in St. Louis, Mo, in route to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Credit: Boeing Co.

The US Air Force (USAF) has officially accepted the first F-15EX fighter jet at Boeing’s St Louis facility in Missouri, US.

The two-seat fighter jet departed the facility and headed to Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida for testing.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The aircraft has the capability to launch hypersonic weapons up to 22ft-long and weighs up to 7,000lb.

It features a new electronic warfare (EW) system, advanced cockpit systems, and the latest mission systems and software capabilities.

F-15EX programme manager colonel Sean Dorey said: “This is a big moment for the airforce. With its large weapons capacity, digital backbone, and open architecture, the F-15EX will be a key element of our tactical fighter fleet and complement fifth-generation assets.

“In addition, it’s capable of carrying hypersonic weapons, giving it a niche role in future near-peer conflicts.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The USAF has plans to procure 144 F-15EXs from Boeing to replace all F-15C/D.

Last July, the USAF awarded Boeing a $1.2bn contract for the production of the first lot of eight F-15EX advanced fighter aircraft.

A second F-15EX will be delivered to Eglin AFB by the end of next month while the other six under Lot 1 aircraft will be delivered to Eglin AFB in FY2023.

US Air Force Materiel Command junior commander-general Arnold Bunch said: “I commend the dedicated efforts of the entire team for bringing this platform online in record time and in the middle of a global pandemic.

“With its open mission systems architecture and weapons capacity, the F-15EX will provide an outstanding capability for our nation for years to come.”

In January, Boeing secured a licence from the US Government to provide F-15EX fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force.