Breaking News: Boeing Ready to Deliver First New Fighter Jet F-15EX of Lot 2 and Third Eagle II to US Air Force 142nd Wing.

According to information published by Boeing Defense on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on March 24, 2025, the first F-15EX Eagle II from Lot 2 production is now preparing for delivery to the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft will also become the third F-15EX assigned to the 142nd Wing (142nd WG) of the Oregon Air National Guard. Boeing’s post, accompanied by a photo of the completed jet, stated: “Next up delivery.” — confirming the aircraft is ready for handover in the coming days.
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Boeing photo shared on X shows the first F-15EX of Lot 2, painted in Oregon Air National Guard markings, on the ramp and ready for delivery. (Picture source: Boeing Defense X Account)

This upcoming delivery marks a significant step in the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing modernization of its fighter fleet. The F-15EX Eagle II is the most advanced iteration of the iconic F-15 platform, and its arrival at the 142nd Wing represents more than just a fleet refresh — it’s a generational transformation in combat capability, survivability, and adaptability.

The 142nd Wing, based at Portland Air National Guard Base, is tasked with critical homeland defense and air sovereignty missions, including continuous Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) coverage over the Pacific Northwest. The wing currently operates the F-15C, a fourth-generation air superiority fighter introduced in the late 1970s. Although still highly capable in its core role, the F-15C is becoming increasingly limited in terms of modernization potential, digital systems integration, and long-term sustainment costs due to its age and airframe fatigue.

The incoming F-15EX addresses all of these challenges — and more. At its core, the Eagle II retains the aerodynamic performance and proven twin-engine reliability of the F-15C but incorporates major structural, electronic, and systems upgrades that significantly extend its relevance in modern and future air combat environments.

One of the most important upgrades is the open mission systems architecture, which allows the F-15EX to rapidly integrate new weapons, sensors, and software without requiring major hardware overhauls. This adaptability ensures that the aircraft can evolve quickly to counter emerging threats. In contrast, the F-15C is locked into older architecture, limiting its ability to receive next-generation upgrades.

The F-15EX is also equipped with cutting-edge digital avionics, including a large area display (LAD), fly-by-wire flight controls, and a powerful onboard mission computer system that processes vast amounts of sensor data in real time. The Eagle II’s cockpit design enhances pilot situational awareness and operational efficiency in ways the F-15C simply cannot match.

In terms of combat effectiveness, the F-15EX brings significantly enhanced lethality and survivability. It carries the AN/APG-82 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, offering vastly improved detection range, target tracking, and electronic resistance compared to the mechanically scanned radar of the older F-15C. It also integrates the EPAWSS electronic warfare suite, enabling the aircraft to detect, jam, and evade advanced surface-to-air and air-to-air threats — a major leap over the F-15C’s outdated defensive countermeasures.

Perhaps one of the most game-changing features is its massive payload capacity. The F-15EX can carry over 29,000 pounds of ordnance across 12 external hardpoints and two conformal weapon stations — more than any other U.S. fighter. This allows the Eagle II to conduct both air superiority and air-to-ground strike missions, including the potential to launch future hypersonic missiles. The F-15C, by contrast, is limited to a narrower air-to-air loadout and lacks any strike mission versatility.

Durability and longevity are also key benefits. The F-15EX has a projected airframe life of 20,000 flight hours, far surpassing the remaining viable flight hours of most F-15Cs in service today. This translates into a cost-effective long-term investment, as the aircraft will remain operationally viable well into the 2040s and beyond.

In essence, while the F-15C remains a capable interceptor, the F-15EX is designed for multi-role dominance in both contested and permissive airspaces. It delivers the range, speed, firepower, digital backbone, and mission flexibility required for modern warfare — all built on a trusted and familiar airframe that eases pilot transition and leverages existing infrastructure.

With this third Eagle II nearing delivery, the 142nd Wing continues its transition to a force equipped not just for airspace defense, but for a broader, more dynamic role in future joint and coalition operations. Additional deliveries from Lot 2 are expected to follow in 2025, reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to fielding a next-generation air superiority fleet — and ensuring the Oregon Air National Guard remains at the forefront of homeland defense.