It was a short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming engine.

The L-15 was intended to expand Boeing's product line as World War II drew to a close and Boeing's production of military aircraft declined.

Boeing decided against marketing the L-15 as a general aviation aircraft, and the twelve produced went to the United States Army for testing, then were transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska for various duties.

The original design included a single vertical tail, but two small downward-mounted fins were used on all but the first aircraft.

Spoilers were used to provide lateral control instead of ailerons, and full span trailing edge flaps were used.