F-15EX

Mission — F-15EX source

The F-15EX is a new multirole-capable fighter jet based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with advanced capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) and the USAF F-15 Continuous Delivery & Integration (CD&I) Operational Flight Program (OFP) software. The F-15EX provides significant operational flexibility, enabling it to perform a wide range of missions sets with one or two aircrew. It will be used predominantly in defensive and offensive counter-air missions at both Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Combat Command (ACC) operational squadrons. F-15EX will perform the Homeland Defense mission and provide Combatant Commanders (CCDR) with strike packages capable of operating in Highly Contested Environments (HCE). The FY 2026 RDT&E funding request continues incremental funding of development activities started in prior years and adds funding for Long-Range Kill Chain (LRKC) and Hybrid SATCOM (Beyond Line-of-Sight communications) development, a FY 2026 new start. The FY 2026 request for the Research & Development appropriation for F-15EX includes $78,345 thousand of discretionary and $2,100 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $80,445 thousand. The mandatory funds will support LRKC efforts. Further information for this reconciliation request is Provided in Section 20007 (Air Superiority) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.811 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F or 0605898F. In FY 2024, 9.536M was executed for civilian pay expenses in this program element. In FY 2025, 6.206M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. In FY 2025, the F-15EX program reduced civilian personnel to 38 positions which aligned to the Executive Order 14210, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative.” The FY 2026 request was reduced by 2.132 million from FY 2024 as reflected in the Direct Cite Authority line in Exhibit R-3. FY 2020 Prior Years RDT&E funding of $385.000 million was executed in PE 0207134F (F-15E Squadrons) and is not included in this exhibit. FY 2020 RDT&E funded two F-15EX test aircraft. In FY 2021, F-15EX RDT&E efforts were continued in PE 0207146F (F-15EX). This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)