Boeing is intensifying production of its F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, with 90 aircraft currently in the pipeline, as part of a broader effort to supply the U.S. Air Force with enhanced air combat capability.
The company is aiming to achieve a steady delivery rate of two aircraft per month by the end of 2026.
The increase in output comes amid reported improvements in factory efficiency and quality control. According to Boeing, recent operational upgrades have led to a month-over-month reduction in rework and unplanned task adjustments, known as “traveled work.”
“Factory performance has been improving in recent months, with rework and traveled work rates decreasing month over month, enhancing workflow productivity and supporting factory stabilization,” said Tom Altamuro, Boeing’s director of F-15 manufacturing and safety.
The company’s internal initiative, dubbed “Cut the CoRRS” (Cost of Rework and Repetitive Scrap), includes a daily “Quality Power Hour” where teams address production issues in real time to preempt delays and defects.
The F-15EX, which is expected to serve alongside fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 and upgraded F-22 Raptors, features modern avionics and open mission systems architecture. It can carry up to 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, with future capability for hypersonic missiles and other advanced weaponry.
The aircraft is viewed as a high-endurance, cost-effective solution for the Air Force’s evolving needs. Its twin-engine design, digital backbone, and capacity for rapid software integration allow for long-range, high-payload missions that complement stealth platforms.
In a statement, Boeing emphasized the jet’s adaptability: “The F-15EX is built to deliver combat capability now, with room to grow as mission demands evolve.”
The Air Force has already accepted initial deliveries and continues to integrate the aircraft into operational planning. With China and other near-peer competitors expanding their aerial capabilities, Pentagon officials have stated that platforms like the F-15EX are essential to maintaining deterrence and combat readiness.