USAF Plans 267 F-15EX Fighters to Complement Growing F-35 Fleet as 'Missile Trucks'

The United States Air Force is increasing its procurement of the Boeing F-15EX fighter jet to 267 units, aiming to counterbalance its expanding Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter fleet. This decision is part of a strategic plan to replace aging F-15E Strike Eagles with advanced, modernized versions that can carry a larger missile payload into operations alongside the stealthier F-35s. The F-35 continues to be the centerpiece of USAF fighter capability, but the F-15EX is filling a critical ‘missile truck’ role due to its heavy payload capacity and lower stealth profile.

Since entering service in 2016, the F-35A has been lauded for its advanced sensor suite and stealth features, designed to penetrate contested enemy airspace and destroy high-value targets, including air defense systems. The F-35’s stealth and integrated computing systems essentially enable it to act as a flying command platform, gathering intelligence and directing operations. However, its internal weapons bays limit the amount of ordnance it can carry internally, which can constrain mission profiles requiring large missile volumes.

The F-15EX, introduced in 2024, is an upgraded version of the venerable F-15 air superiority fighter line. Although it maintains the familiar airframe, the F-15EX features state-of-the-art avionics and can carry substantially more weapons externally than the F-35 can internally. Notably, the F-15EX can carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles and has a total weapons payload capacity of 29,500 lbs, exceeding the F-35’s 18,000 lbs capacity which is constrained to 5,700 lbs within its internal bays.

By roughly doubling the planned order for the F-15EX to 267 jets, USAF planners are reinforcing a high-low mix strategy. In this approach, stealthy F-35s act as the spearhead, penetrating and suppressing sophisticated enemy air defenses, while F-15EXs stand back from heavily contested zones to execute massed missile attacks on targets detected and designated by the F-35’s sensors. This approach leverages the respective strengths of both aircraft to maintain air superiority and provide flexibility in combat.

This tandem has been likened to a quarterback and a strong target enforcer. The F-35 provides high-level situational awareness and targeting data, while the F-15EX delivers large quantities of missiles to saturate air defense networks or engage multiple threat vectors such as drones and cruise missiles. This use of legacy 4th-generation fighters alongside 5th-generation stealth jets follows patterns seen in allied forces, such as the UK pairing the F-35 with Eurofighter Typhoons.

Operational experience has shown the importance of missile quantity in air combat. For example, during air operations against Iranian networks in 2024 and 2025, stealth aircraft like the F-35 played key roles in disabling advanced air defenses. However, the ability to swarm targets using large volumes of missile fire remains vital. The F-15EX’s capacity to carry externally mounted weapons without stealth trade-offs enables it to fulfill this role effectively in less contested airspace.

In terms of overall force structure, while the USAF plans for 267 F-15EXs, the number of F-35As under acquisition is significantly higher at 1,763 units, confirming the latter remains the backbone of future air combat capabilities. Additionally, the Air Force is developing loyal wingman unmanned aircraft systems, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft, designed to operate alongside F-35s, further enhancing its combat network.

The growing F-15EX fleet also serves an industrial purpose by sustaining production lines and corporate expertise while legacy F-15Es retire. Ultimately, this expansion supports the USAF’s broader aim to counter emerging threats, notably from China, which produces a comparable number of frontline fighter jets, and to maintain dominance in air superiority missions by combining stealth, sensor fusion, and high-volume missile delivery.