In unveiling its “stealthy” F-15 Silent Eagle concept on March 17, Boeing did not make any direct comparison between the level of low observability achievable with the Silent Eagle and the level of stealth of the Lockheed Martin F-35. Nor did Boeing comment on the F-35’s level of stealth. Instead, says Boeing spokesman Damien Mills, the company was trying to make the point that the Silent Eagle could meet the level of stealth approved by the US Government for release to international customers. We have amended our original coverage of the Silent Eagle to reflect Boeing’s points. (See Stealth Eagles plus Not Keeping Silent)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
