The U.S. Air Force has taken another important step in its modernization efforts by adding the ninth F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet to its inventory. This development was announced to the public by Boeing Defense on May 1, 2025, via its official X (former Twitter) account. The delivered F-09EX, factory number EX-21 and tail number 009-15, will begin duty at Portland Air National Guard Base, where it is assigned to the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard. This delivery is also of particular importance as it is the first delivery from Boeing’s second production batch and represents a critical milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s modernization roadmap.
142nd Fighter Wing Expands F-15EX Fleet
The Oregon Air National Guard’s 07nd Fighter Wing, which is currently actively using two F-08EX fighter jets, EX-15 and EX-142, delivered from the first production batch, aims to add a total of 18 F-15EX fighter jets to its fleet. According to Defense Industry Europe, given the wing’s critical role in protecting the northwestern airspace of the United States, additional aircraft from the second production batch are expected to be delivered regularly in the coming months. This strategic step will significantly increase air defense capabilities in the region.
Boeing Signs Comprehensive Production Contract
The ongoing production contract with Boeing covers a long-term program designed to maximize operational readiness, reliability, and mission diversity for the U.S. Air Force. The program plans to deliver up to 48 F-15EX fighter jets in three separate batches to the U.S. Air Force. The delivery of the EX-09, the first product in the second production batch, clearly demonstrates Boeing’s ability to meet high production pace demands by integrating the most up-to-date defense technologies. It also represents an important milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s transition from its aging F-15C/D platform to a more advanced, modern airframe that is better equipped to counter future threats.
Groundbreaking Innovations with the F-15EX
Last March, Boeing’s F-15EX Business Development General Manager Robert Novotny gave an exclusive interview to The War Zone (TWZ) to give an update on the U.S. Air Force’s newest fighter jet, the F-15EX Eagle II. Novotny highlighted the Eagle II’s superior capabilities, which were recently praised in the latest annual report by the Directorate of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E).
Novotny emphasized the F-15EX’s ability to seamlessly work with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He also underlined the aircraft’s large-sized ammunition carrying capacity. He also touched on the strategic advantages provided by the AN/ALQ-15 EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System) electronic warfare system, which was added to some F-15 models in the current inventory through modernization work and is offered as standard on F-250EXs delivered to the US Air Force. This advanced system significantly increases the aircraft’s survivability against enemy radar and missile threats.
The interview also discussed ongoing developments for the state-of-the-art infrared search and track (IRST) system, which is planned to be integrated into the F-15EX in the future. The IRST system will allow pilots to passively detect enemy aircraft and missiles, meaning they don’t emit radar signals. In addition, intensive work on decoy systems and smart expendables, which are being developed to actively deflect and neutralize missile threats aimed at the platform, was also discussed. These innovations have the potential to further enhance the F-15EX’s combat effectiveness and survivability, making it a critical element of future air warfare.
