DefenseStrike at Boeing delays deliveries of F-15EX, confirmed new Air Force Chief of Staff
Deliveries of F-15EX fighter jets to the US Air Force are delayed due to ongoing strikes at Boeing, according to a letter from the new Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach to the Senate.
The delays impact six out of twelve aircraft in the second batch, with only two F-15EX jets delivered so far, according to Air Forces Magazine.
The affected deliveries are set to influence operations at Portland Air National Guard Base and future deployments to Kadena Air Base in Japan.
The strike began in August at Boeing’s St. Louis facility, led by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837. More than 3,200 workers from Boeing’s St. Louis, St. Charles (Missouri), and Mascoutah (Illinois) sites are participating after rejecting a revised contract proposal.
Gen. Wilsbach highlighted the F-15EX’s ability to carry hypersonic and long-range weapons, despite lacking stealth capabilities. He indicated a willingness to reassess the total number of F-15EX jets in the fleet.
The Air Force’s original plan to acquire 144 F-15EX aircraft was reduced to 99, then increased to 129 by Congress. Despite the strike, program delivery targets remain within the acquisition baseline.
The ongoing labor dispute continues to affect Boeing’s military aircraft output, with further impacts on delivery schedules possible if the situation persists.
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