U.S. Air Force awards Boeing $2.38 billion for 22 F-15EX fighters
The Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion Lot 7 contract for 22 F-15EX aircraft on September 29, bringing total orders to 120 of a planned 267-aircraft buy. The F-15EX will replace aging F-15C/D Eagles and begin recapitalizing the F-15E Strike Eagle fleet. Boeing announced the F/A-XX and F-15EX awards on the same day.
Why it matters: Boeing needed the win — but Europe should note the U.S. is still buying 1980s airframes at $108 million per copy while the sixth-gen programs lumber forward, a hedging strategy EU air forces can't afford.
Germany changes course on MQ-28 drone wingman plans, 2029 fielding target in doubt
Germany has altered its approach to acquiring the MQ-28 loyal-wingman drone, a Boeing official told Breaking Defense, casting doubt on Berlin's 2029 target to field a collaborative combat aircraft. Germany had previously signaled interest in the MQ-28 as its CCA solution, which would have made it the first European nation to deploy such a system. The official did not specify what alternative path Germany is now pursuing.
Israel signs agreement with U.S. Pentagon for procurement of 12 Boeing Apache helicopters
Israel's Ministry of Defence instructed its U.S. mission to sign an agreement with the Pentagon for the procurement of 12 Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters for the IDF. The deal was announced October 15. No delivery timeline or contract value was disclosed.
IsraelUnited StatesBoeing EDR Magazine →Airforce Technology →
Boeing wins $14.7 billion contract to triple Patriot PAC-3 seeker production
Boeing secured a seven-year, $14.7 billion undefinitized contract from Lockheed Martin to expand production of seekers for Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors. The award aims to triple output amid record global demand for air defense missiles. The contract was issued by PAC-3 prime contractor Lockheed Martin rather than directly by the U.S. government.
Why it matters: A $14.7 billion seeker subcontract — larger than most prime awards — shows the West is buying interceptors at wartime rates even as production bottlenecks move deeper into the supply chain.
BoeingLockheed MartinUnited States Breaking Defense →Defence Industry Europe →
Pentagon selects four vendors for counter-drone directed-energy pilot programme
The U.S. Department of Defense's Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) has selected AeroVironment, Epirus, Kord, and Boeing for a pilot programme assessing high-energy laser and high-powered microwave systems for homeland counter-UAS missions. The pilot will evaluate operational deployment of directed-energy C-UAS in domestic defence scenarios.
AeroVironmentEpirusKordBoeingJIATF-401U.S. Department of Defense Breaking Defense →Army Technology →