U.S. Air Force seeks new engine suppliers for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

The United States Air Force has issued a Request for Information inviting companies to propose engines for the F-15EX Eagle II and F-16 Fighting Falcon. The RFI, released on Aug. 3, 2026, cites chronic delays, quality‑control problems and component obsolescence in the current industrial base and aims to create a “strategic competition” that can deliver up to 180 engines a year by fiscal year 2034.

Respondents must detail manufacturing capacity across four production bands (1‑12, 13‑48, 49‑96, 97‑180 engines annually), pricing, lifecycle‑cost performance and supply‑chain resilience, including critical titanium and nickel alloys. The Air Force also requests live manufacturing data feeds and plans to tie order volumes to supplier performance on delivery, quality and responsiveness.

Historically, the F‑15 and F‑16 have been powered by Pratt & Whitney F100 or GE Aerospace F110 engines, giving those firms a long‑standing monopoly. The new RFI does not specify whether entirely new designs or upgraded versions are sought, and proposals are due by Aug. 28, 2026.