Boeing and the US Air Force sign an agreement for the F-15EX fighter

New F-15EX to replace the old F-15C.
The US Air Force awarded Boeing a nearly $ 1.2 billion contract to build the first batch of eight F-15EX advanced combat aircraft to help the service meet its capacity requirements and add capacity to its fighter fleet. The contract also covers one-time support and initial engineering costs. Already under construction at the Boeing F-15 production facility in St. Louis, the first two aircraft will be delivered next year.
The US Air Force also announced the general indefinite delivery contract with a maximum value of nearly $ 23 billion for the F-15EX. “The F-15EX is the most advanced version of the F-15 ever built, due in large part to its digital backbone,” said Lori Schneider, Boeing F-15EX program director. “Its unmatched range, price, and best-in-class cargo capacity make the F-15EX an attractive choice for the US Air Force.” The F-15EX carries more weapons than any other fighter in its class and can launch hypersonic weapons up to nearly seven meters long and weighing up to 3,700 kilos.
To further support the digital fuselage and advance rapid technology insertion, the F-15 program serves as a pioneer in the Department of Defense’s DevSecOps initiative, which aims to develop secure, flexible, and agile software. Furthermore, the architecture of open mission systems guarantees their viability for decades.
“The F-15EX brings together the benefits of digital engineering, open-mission systems and agile software development to keep it affordable and upgradeable for decades to come,” said Prat Kumar, Boeing Vice President and F-15 Program Manager. . “This means that we can quickly test and deploy new capabilities on the F-15EX while keeping our fighters ahead of threats.” The pilots and mechanics currently operating the F-15 anticipate the transition to the F-15EX in a matter of days rather than years. Future plans include up to 144 planes.
“We listen to our customers every step of the way as we develop this exciting aircraft,” said Kumar. “What we will deliver soon is a modern, robust aircraft that supports the defense of our nation by incorporating the latest systems, sensors, and weapons.”