It sounds a bit strange in the era of 5th generation fighters and with 6th generation ones already somewhere on the -distant- horizon that Boeing is announcing that it is developing an increase in the production rate of the F-15EX Eagle II! That is, a design from the 70s, which is neither stealth, nor cheap, nor famous for its simplicity of maintenance. And yet, Boeing’s goal is to be able to deliver 2 such fighters per month (24 per year) from 2026, on its production line in St Louis, USA, which has remained in operation for the Eagle for 50 years!
The reason for the increase in the rate is found in 3 main reasons: The F-15EX, although of an old design, in its latest version has been transformed – in a long process of evolution of many previous ones – into a particularly mature aircraft, with very modern electronics, with any problems “solved” and of course maintaining very high performance, both in speed/altitude/range, but mainly in the ability to carry weapons in terms of weight/variety/number.
The latter is also the central element that makes it particularly fearsome, as by carrying up to 10 tons of weapons (plus external fuel tanks, either suspended or as compliant on the side of the fuselage) it implements the idea of the “bomb truck” (“bomb truck”) which remains important in the field of modern air operations. That is, as the aircraft’s ability to launch a significant number of missiles of each type, from a distance e.g. guided bombs, cruise missiles, and air-to-air missiles, while also carrying targeting pods, while it can stay in flight for a long time. While its carrying capacity also allows the launch of particularly large weapons in volume/weight, which the newer stealth fighters cannot carry within their specific size bomb bays.
The second reason is that in the international competition for increased armaments, such a fighter is expected to be in demand for several years to come. Israel has already ordered 50 of these, the US Air Force has requested 80 with a forecast for 104 and perhaps even more, while Saudi Arabia, Japan, Indonesia and possibly other countries have expressed interest in the aircraft, either as new production or as an upgrade kit for older F-15s.
The third reason is specific to the United States, which maintains a large fleet of previous F-15 versions, both C/Ds that are being retired, and Es that have already had several years of service. So the spread of the fighter is large, there is a significant base of pilots and technicians specialized in it, knowledge and experience of use, and of course the need for a “heavy fighter” remains that can launch every current and future weapon.
Also, while the F-15EX is more expensive than the F-35A in “flyaway” price, with the former being around 94 million dollars and the latter at 82 million (here we are talking about the initial basic purchase price, not as a package of related services, infrastructure, etc. that inflate the number), the situation is reversed in flight cost per hour and in availability. Where the “old” appears cheaper with a flight cost of around $30,000, compared to $40,000+ for the stealth fighter, and the availability of the new Eagle exceeds 75%, while the F-35A remains at around 50%. So especially for the US Air Force, the continued investment in the F-15EX in the “bomb truck” role, but also as an air superiority fighter for the defense of the metropolitan US, as well as as a “2nd line of defense” in the Pacific against China makes sense.
With all of the above, Boeing sees that its line in St Louis can have work for over a decade more, maybe even longer, while there is also the general “good mood” of the new US government for this particular fighter. As the first order for the new version was made during Trump’s first term, it was considered at the time as a “gift” for the company, but ultimately also as a good choice to strengthen air power, even if it was a “step backwards” technologically.
