WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force’s first 16 F-15EX Eagle II fighters recorded an average materiel availability rate of 72.4% in fiscal 2026, according to a U.S. Department of War acquisition report.
The figure, measured on February 24, 2026, covers aircraft EX1 through EX16. The rate is 12.4 percentage points above the program’s 60% minimum sustainment threshold, but remains below the Air Force’s 80% objective. The report describes the result as slightly below the objective and notes no formal performance deviation.
Availability and Fleet Expansion
The 60% threshold and 80% objective come from the Air Force’s Rapid Fielding Requirements Document, which Air Combat Command validated in August 2020. The targets have remained unchanged under the current acquisition baseline.
As of April 14, 2026, 18 F-15EX aircraft had been delivered. The revised acquisition plan covers 268 aircraft in total, as the Air Force prepares to expand the fleet.
Testing and Operational Status
The F-15EX completed its main operational test phase in November 2023. Initial operational and live-fire evaluations found the aircraft effective in defensive and offensive counter-air missions against surrogate fifth-generation adversary aircraft. Testing also confirmed a basic air-to-ground capability.
The Air Force approved full-rate production in June 2024 and declared initial operational capability in July 2024.
Production and Supply Risks
The acquisition report treats production delays and material shortages as separate schedule and industrial risks rather than performance shortfalls. It states that the F-15EX continues to meet all approved technical performance and cost thresholds.
A 15-week strike at Boeing’s St. Louis production facility from August to November 2025 caused delivery delays. The disruption, along with parts and material supply risks, pushed the projected full operational capability date to early 2028.
The Air Force continues efforts to increase production rates. Under the fiscal 2027 budget request, recent program updates put the planned fleet at approximately 267–268 aircraft.
Operating and Support Costs
The report estimates annual operating and support costs at $13.1 million per fighter in constant fiscal 2020 dollars.
The estimated annual cost includes:
- Maintenance: $7.2 million
- Unit operations: $3 million
- Unit-level manpower: $1.9 million
- Sustaining support and continuing system improvements: Remaining costs
Software and Aircraft Configuration
F-15EX software is provided through the separate F-15 Continuous Development and Integration program, which also supports the F-15C, F-15D and F-15E. The report identifies no significant software-related problems for the F-15EX.
The two-seat F-15EX Eagle II is based on the F-15QA configuration built for Qatar and includes Air Force-specific electronic warfare systems and mission software. It is initially intended to replace aging F-15C and F-15D aircraft in defensive and offensive counter-air missions.
The 72.4% availability rate provides an early measure of F-15EX sustainment performance as the Air Force continues deliveries and prepares to expand the fleet.
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