What military aircraft does Boeing make?
Boeing makes military fighters, trainers, patrol aircraft, tankers, airborne early-warning aircraft, helicopters and uncrewed systems. Its principal programmes include the F-15EX, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, T-7A, P-8, KC-46, E-7, AH-64, CH-47, V-22, MQ-25 and MQ-28, while the F-47 fighter is under development. Several use adapted commercial airframes or industrial partnerships rather than being wholly Boeing designs.
For our Aviation & Real-World Flying coverage, we separate newly assembled aircraft from conversions, joint programmes and older types retained only for upgrades and support. Without that distinction, a Boeing product list can wrongly suggest that aircraft such as the B-52 and C-17 are still being built.
Which military aircraft are in Boeing's active portfolio?
These are the principal aircraft in Boeing's production, integration, development and major sustainment portfolio; not every row represents a new airframe leaving a Boeing factory.
| Aircraft | Primary role | Programme position |
|---|---|---|
| F-15EX Eagle II and advanced F-15 variants | Air-superiority and multirole fighter | New-build aircraft, with Boeing as prime contractor |
| F/A-18E/F Super Hornet | Carrier-based multirole fighter | New-build and long-term sustainment programme |
| EA-18G Growler | Carrier-based electronic attack | Super Hornet derivative supported and upgraded by Boeing |
| F-47 | Next-generation crewed combat aircraft | Engineering and manufacturing development; public details remain limited |
| T-7A Red Hawk | Advanced jet trainer | Development and new-build programme conducted with Saab |
| P-8 Poseidon | Maritime patrol, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare | 737-derived new-build aircraft and support programme |
| KC-46A Pegasus | Aerial refuelling and transport | 767-derived new-build tanker |
| E-7 Wedgetail | Airborne early warning and control | 737-derived conversion and mission-system integration programme |
| VC-25B | Presidential command and transport aircraft | 747-8 airframe conversion and military integration programme |
| AH-64E Apache | Attack helicopter | New-build, remanufacture, upgrade and support programme |
| CH-47F and MH-47G Chinook | Heavy-lift and special-operations helicopter | New-build and modernisation programme |
| V-22 Osprey | Military tiltrotor transport | Joint Bell Boeing production and sustainment programme |
| MH-139A Grey Wolf | Utility and security helicopter | Leonardo AW139-based aircraft with Boeing military integration |
| MQ-25 Stingray | Carrier-based uncrewed aerial refuelling | Development, test and production programme |
| MQ-28 Ghost Bat | Uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft | Boeing Defence Australia development and early-production programme |
| ScanEagle and Integrator | Small uncrewed surveillance aircraft | Produced by Boeing-owned Insitu |
If make means a newly assembled airframe, focus on entries described as new-build. If it includes military conversion, systems integration, joint manufacture and major upgrades, the whole table applies. Production positions can change as customer contracts open or close.
The list excludes weapons, satellites, unidentified classified programmes and one-off test articles. Boeing also builds the X-37B orbital test vehicle, but it is normally classed as a spacecraft rather than a conventional military aircraft.
Does Boeing make military versions of airliners?
Yes. Several important Boeing military aircraft begin with commercial jetliner designs, but substantial structural, electronic and mission-system changes make them far more than repainted passenger aircraft.
- P-8 Poseidon: derived from the 737 Next Generation family and equipped for maritime patrol, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface missions.
- E-7 Wedgetail: a 737-derived airborne early-warning aircraft distinguished by its fixed radar array and command-and-control systems.
- KC-46A Pegasus: based on the 767, with a refuelling boom, hose-and-drogue capability, defensive systems and cargo capacity.
- VC-25B: based on the 747-8 and extensively modified for presidential transport, communications, command and protection.
The C-40 Clipper is another 737-based military transport already in service, although it is not generally presented as a principal new-build Boeing defence programme.
Does Boeing still make the B-52, C-17 or KC-135?
No new B-52, C-17 or KC-135 airframes are being manufactured. Boeing remains deeply involved in support, upgrades and sustainment, which is why these aircraft still appear in descriptions of its military business.
- The last B-52 was built in 1962, but the surviving fleet continues to receive major modernisation work.
- C-17 Globemaster III production ended in 2015; Boeing still supports the worldwide fleet.
- KC-135 Stratotanker production ended in 1965, although the aircraft remains an important tanker. Our explanation of how the KC-135 transfers fuel in flight covers its boom system and operating method.
The same caveat applies to the E-3 Sentry, B-1B and many earlier fighters and transports associated with Boeing. Our overview of Boeing's wider aircraft history and legacy production places those discontinued types in context.
Why are some Boeing aircraft linked to other manufacturers?
Acquisitions and partnerships explain much of Boeing's military catalogue. The F-15 and F/A-18 originated with McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997; the Apache lineage passed through Hughes Helicopters and McDonnell Douglas before becoming a Boeing programme.
Other aircraft remain genuine joint efforts. Bell and Boeing share the V-22 programme, Saab participates in the T-7A, and the MH-139A uses a Leonardo-built AW139 foundation that Boeing integrates for military service. Calling all of these solely Boeing designs would hide who created and manufactures their major components.
Can you fly Boeing military aircraft in simulators?
Yes, although aircraft availability and systems fidelity vary sharply between simulators and add-ons. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 includes the F/A-18E Super Hornet; our MSFS 2020 fighter-aircraft guide explains how it fits among that simulator's military jets.
For older platforms, our library includes an FSX and Prepar3D P-8 Poseidon package. A simulator download should not be treated as evidence that the real aircraft remains in production: download libraries routinely preserve retired and historical types indefinitely.