Boeing F-15EX / F-15QA and related variants

[bring_it_on]

USAF puts Talon HATE to the test


The US Air Force (USAF) is currently engaged in a flight test programme for its new Talon HATE pod for the F-15C Eagle. Talon HATE is a new system designed to help integrate and enhance the relationship between its two air dominance platforms - the F-15C Eagle and the F-22 Raptor.Developed initially by the company's secretive Phantom Works as a rapid-prototyping concept, Talon HATE is a podded system that combines a covert data exchange capability with an inbuilt infrared search-and-track (IRST) sensor. It has been seen flying recently with the USAF's elite 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (422 TES) at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada.

Boeing completed the final design review for Talon HATE in September 2014, although public information remains scant. Many see Talon HATE acting very much along the lines of the USAF's Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) currently deployed on E-11A, EQ-4, and WB-57 aircraft, and essentially acting as a data relay platform for a wide range of information."The system assimilates information in real-time from multiple domains, creating an improved common operating picture for tactical awareness," said Alex Lopez, vice president, Advanced Network and Space Systems at Boeing Phantom Works.

One of the major limitations of the F-22 is its inability to communicate covertly with other aircraft types, although the F-22 features an intra-flight datalink (IFDL) that enables the aircraft to exchange data within a formation of F-22 aircraft.

Similarly, the F-22's Increment 3.2A spiral upgrade added Link 16, but only as a receive-only terminal because the non-stealthy Link-16 with its omnidirectional emissions could reveal the aircraft's location.

However, under programme director Sean Rice, the Talon HATE project has integrated the F-22's IFDL with the proven Multifunctional Information Distribution System-JTRS (MIDS-J) system. MIDS-J serves as a host for multiple concurrent communications waveforms that are essential for Talon HATE operations, with Talon HATE essentially receiving and translating the F-22 data and processing it for redistribution on MIDS/Link 16 waveforms to other friendly aircraft.Four engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) pods are thought to be on contract for ACC. The first public sighting of an Eagle carrying Talon HATE was in December 2015 when 422 TES F-15C serial 83-026/OT passed through Fort Worth, Texas. Another F-15C (82-022) has also been seen active at Nellis AFB in 2016.

Despite calls to re-start F-22 production, the reality is that the F-15C is needed to help meet long-term USAF air superiority needs, and will need to work closely with the F-22.

A smooth method of covertly exchanging data between the F-22 and F-15C will have many benefits. The new system should allow the F-22 to disperse data from two of its most sophisticated sensors: the AN/APG-77 radar and AN/ALR-94 electronic warfare system, a capability hitherto seemed impossible. Meanwhile, the F-15C's new AN/APG-63(V)3 AESA radar offers extremely long-range detection.

In addition, the new IRST sensor on the Talon HATE pod will enable the F-15C pilot to transmit both long-range radar and IRST data to the F-22, increasing its detection capabilities and decreasing reliance on its own sensors - thereby helping it to remain undetected. The ability to passively relay target data forward to the F-22s will mean they only break cover when they have to release a weapon. Conversely, the F-22s will be able to act as a passive sensor for missile-laden F-15Cs.

 

[Steve Pace]

USAF puts Talon HATE to the test


The US Air Force (USAF) is currently engaged in a flight test programme for its new Talon HATE pod for the F-15C Eagle. Talon HATE is a new system designed to help integrate and enhance the relationship between its two air dominance platforms - the F-15C Eagle and the F-22 Raptor.Developed initially by the company's secretive Phantom Works as a rapid-prototyping concept, Talon HATE is a podded system that combines a covert data exchange capability with an inbuilt infrared search-and-track (IRST) sensor. It has been seen flying recently with the USAF's elite 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (422 TES) at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada.

Boeing completed the final design review for Talon HATE in September 2014, although public information remains scant. Many see Talon HATE acting very much along the lines of the USAF's Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) currently deployed on E-11A, EQ-4, and WB-57 aircraft, and essentially acting as a data relay platform for a wide range of information."The system assimilates information in real-time from multiple domains, creating an improved common operating picture for tactical awareness," said Alex Lopez, vice president, Advanced Network and Space Systems at Boeing Phantom Works.

One of the major limitations of the F-22 is its inability to communicate covertly with other aircraft types, although the F-22 features an intra-flight datalink (IFDL) that enables the aircraft to exchange data within a formation of F-22 aircraft.

Similarly, the F-22's Increment 3.2A spiral upgrade added Link 16, but only as a receive-only terminal because the non-stealthy Link-16 with its omnidirectional emissions could reveal the aircraft's location.

However, under programme director Sean Rice, the Talon HATE project has integrated the F-22's IFDL with the proven Multifunctional Information Distribution System-JTRS (MIDS-J) system. MIDS-J serves as a host for multiple concurrent communications waveforms that are essential for Talon HATE operations, with Talon HATE essentially receiving and translating the F-22 data and processing it for redistribution on MIDS/Link 16 waveforms to other friendly aircraft.Four engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) pods are thought to be on contract for ACC. The first public sighting of an Eagle carrying Talon HATE was in December 2015 when 422 TES F-15C serial 83-026/OT passed through Fort Worth, Texas. Another F-15C (82-022) has also been seen active at Nellis AFB in 2016.

Despite calls to re-start F-22 production, the reality is that the F-15C is needed to help meet long-term USAF air superiority needs, and will need to work closely with the F-22.

A smooth method of covertly exchanging data between the F-22 and F-15C will have many benefits. The new system should allow the F-22 to disperse data from two of its most sophisticated sensors: the AN/APG-77 radar and AN/ALR-94 electronic warfare system, a capability hitherto seemed impossible. Meanwhile, the F-15C's new AN/APG-63(V)3 AESA radar offers extremely long-range detection.

In addition, the new IRST sensor on the Talon HATE pod will enable the F-15C pilot to transmit both long-range radar and IRST data to the F-22, increasing its detection capabilities and decreasing reliance on its own sensors - thereby helping it to remain undetected. The ability to passively relay target data forward to the F-22s will mean they only break cover when they have to release a weapon. Conversely, the F-22s will be able to act as a passive sensor for missile-laden F-15Cs.

Even if I were an F-22 driver I would not want to meet up with an F-15C in a dark alley. For it's still "Bad to the Bone!" -SP

 

[fightingirish]

Advanced F-15 (2040c) Air Superiority Fighter

New add by Boeing showing an upgraded F-15.
The only visible upgrades I see in this video are the AESA radar and one flatscreen in the cockpit.
Edit: This version looks to have the same upgrades as the F-15SG to the F-15E, like the F-110- GE-129 engines and the EW systems.
Video:
https://youtu.be/xGY2JBuSCU0

https://youtu.be/xGY2JBuSCU0

 

[Hanse]

F110s (-132s?)

 

[TomS]

Enlarged hardpoints too -- one shot shows it with 16 AMRAAM (2 each on the outers, four each on the inners, plus the four shoulder stations). [First seen on the F-15SA.]

The later air-to-ground configuration has some new weapons -- SLAM-ER is new, I believe. I think it also has SDBs directly on shoulder stations.

The FAST packs may be a slightly different in shape as well.

 

[Airplane]

Enlarged hardpoints too -- one shot shows it with 16 AMRAAM (2 each on the outers, four each on the inners, plus the four shoulder stations). [First seen on the F-15SA.]

The later air-to-ground configuration has some new weapons -- SLAM-ER is new, I believe. I think it also has SDBs directly on shoulder stations.

The FAST packs may be a slightly different in shape as well.

Time to say 'Good night Eagle, you did you duty, but it's time to go now.'

 

[fredymac]

Turkey feathers are back and no obvious attempt at incorporating stealth. I wonder if this is an export oriented design or aimed more towards plugging the gap between the limited numbers of F-22's and availability of F-35's. The video isn't at the official Boeing Youtube channel so I would guess there isn't much marketing effort being made.

 

[CiTrus90]

Advanced F-15 (2040c) Air Superiority Fighter

New add by Boeing showing an upgraded F-15.

The credits at the end of the video are © 2014.

Regards.

 

[bobbymike]

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-americas-enemies-still-fear-the-f-15-eagle-16897

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.janes.com/article/62518/usaf-allocates-f-15c-upgrade-funds

The F-15 Eagle has been in service with the USAF for more than four decades, and with only about 200 operating alongside approximately 180 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors there is a near-term lack of pure air superiority aircraft capacity.

We'd have had another 200 F-22s by now :'(

 

[bobbymike]

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/americas-f-15-fighter-will-soon-carry-double-the-amount-17384

 

[Hanse]

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/americas-f-15-fighter-will-soon-carry-double-the-amount-17384

"The US Air Force is vigorously upgrading the 1980s-era F-15 fighter by giving new weapons and sensors in the hope of maintaining air-to-air superiority over the Chinese J-10 equivalent."

Ugh. :

 

[fightingirish]

IMHO the article means the J-11B and and its modern versions like the J-11D.

 

[Hanse]

IMHO the article means the J-11B and and its modern versions like the J-11D.

That would make more sense.

 

[Sundog]

Yeah, it makes sense, based on this paragraph;

As an example, the report said that in the 1980s, the US F-15 was vastly superior to the Chinese equivalent – the J-10. However, Chinese technical advances in recent years have considerably narrowed that gap to the point where the Chinese J-10 is now roughly comparable to the US F-15, the report explained.

The J-10 didn't even exist in the 80's.

 

[Hanse]

Yeah, it makes sense, based on this paragraph;

As an example, the report said that in the 1980s, the US F-15 was vastly superior to the Chinese equivalent – the J-10. However, Chinese technical advances in recent years have considerably narrowed that gap to the point where the Chinese J-10 is now roughly comparable to the US F-15, the report explained.

The J-10 didn't even exist in the 80's.

The J-10 is more comparable to an F-16.

 

[Airplane]

Has anyone done a cost comparison of the costs of upgrading and keeping the Eagles flying and relevant as compared to the costs of what would have been spent to procure another 100 F-22s? What a gigantic waste of money it is to upgrade 25 year old airframes when a better solution was already in production. I would rather have another 100 F-22s than a couple hundy upgraded F-15s.

 

[Hanse]

Has anyone done a cost comparison of the costs of upgrading and keeping the Eagles flying and relevant as compared to the costs of what would have been spent to procure another 100 F-22s? What a gigantic waste of money it is to upgrade 25 year old airframes when a better solution was already in production. I would rather have another 100 F-22s than a couple hundy upgraded F-15s.

Nobody ever accused politicians of being intelligent.

 

[bobbymike]

Has anyone done a cost comparison of the costs of upgrading and keeping the Eagles flying and relevant as compared to the costs of what would have been spent to procure another 100 F-22s? What a gigantic waste of money it is to upgrade 25 year old airframes when a better solution was already in production. I would rather have another 100 F-22s than a couple hundy upgraded F-15s.

Nobody ever accused politicians of being intelligent.

And add the cost of attrition in a possible near peer aerial war? How many non-stealthy F-15s would be lost as compared to F-22s?

 

[Airplane]

Has anyone done a cost comparison of the costs of upgrading and keeping the Eagles flying and relevant as compared to the costs of what would have been spent to procure another 100 F-22s? What a gigantic waste of money it is to upgrade 25 year old airframes when a better solution was already in production. I would rather have another 100 F-22s than a couple hundy upgraded F-15s.

Nobody ever accused politicians of being intelligent.

And add the cost of attrition in a possible near peer aerial war? How many non-stealthy F-15s would be lost as compared to F-22s?

Precisely. Same for the B-2s and money dumped into the 52 fleet. It would have been better to have a numerically smaller modern fleet than the flying museum pieces we now got.

 

[Triton]

Was the study ever released that the House of Representatives requested back in April of this year concerning the cost of restarting F-22 production?

 

[Triton]

Has anyone done a cost comparison of the costs of upgrading and keeping the Eagles flying and relevant as compared to the costs of what would have been spent to procure another 100 F-22s? What a gigantic waste of money it is to upgrade 25 year old airframes when a better solution was already in production. I would rather have another 100 F-22s than a couple hundy upgraded F-15s.

Nobody ever accused politicians of being intelligent.

Another 100 F-22A Raptors benefits Lockheed Martin and the Dallas-Fort Worth economy. Politicians representing Boeing, and local economies benefiting from Boeing contracts, would rather see that money go to Boeing. Plus, how to you keep the Berkeley, Missouri factory going so that Boeing can bid on T-X and the sixth-generation Navy and Air Force fighter?

 

[Ray]

I am pretty sure the F-22 was made in Georgia.

 

[marauder2048]

Was the study ever released that the House of Representatives requested back in April of this year concerning the cost of restarting F-22 production?

The Represenative that pushed for the study (Forbes [R-VA] ) lost in the primaries.

 

[marauder2048]

Cross posting this from NGAD since the pod replaces a 600 gallon tank on an F-15.

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, California, has been awarded a $39,339,172 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Turret Research in Aero-Effects (STRAFE) program. Contractor will develop and deliver an advanced beam control system for integration as part of a complete laser weapons system into a tactical pod on an Air Force fighter aircraft. STRAFE will increase the knowledge and understanding of aero-optic disturbances in a supersonic environment by collecting data during engagement scenarios. Work will be performed at Redondo Beach, California; and Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 31, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with three offers received. Fiscal 2016 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $9,230,916 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9451-16-C-0007).

 

[NeilChapman]

http://fox6now.com/2016/09/02/u-s-air-force-investing-12-billion-in-upgrading-1980s-era-f-15-fighter-jets/

435 F-15's to be upgraded.

1. Is there a more definitive list of what's included in the upgrade? This article is not too specific.
2. Where is the work going to take place?
3. What is the rate of production?


Thx!

 

[bobbymike]

http://fox6now.com/2016/09/02/u-s-air-force-investing-12-billion-in-upgrading-1980s-era-f-15-fighter-jets/

435 F-15's to be upgraded.

1. Is there a more definitive list of what's included in the upgrade? This article is not too specific.
2. Where is the work going to take place?
3. What is the rate of production?


Thx!

I welcome the news, however, no matter how many times I read this:

The Air Force initially planned to replace the entire F-15 fleet with the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor, but production of the stealthy aircraft was halted in 2009 and only 188 of the 749 F-22s purchased by the Pentagon were ever produced.

:'( :'( :'( :'(

 

[bring_it_on]

http://fox6now.com/2016/09/02/u-s-air-force-investing-12-billion-in-upgrading-1980s-era-f-15-fighter-jets/

435 F-15's to be upgraded.

1. Is there a more definitive list of what's included in the upgrade? This article is not too specific.
2. Where is the work going to take place?
3. What is the rate of production?


Thx!

- AESA Radars
- EPAWSS
- IRST sensor (not sure every one of those 400+ will get them though)
- Mission Computers

- Structural Upgrades if required

They would probably like cockpit upgrades similar to what the F-15 SA's are expected to get, but those are currently not planned.

3. What is the rate of production?

By production, I assume you mean upgrade. Different upgrade programs have different timelines. The AESA upgrades are happening as we speak. Don't have the exact per year schedule, but globally Raytheon had delivered the 200th AESA for the F-15 fleet by Nov. of last year so I guess one could subtract the export aircraft and get an idea of the currently upgraded USAF fleet.

The EPAWSS IOC is expected by 2021 for the F-15E's and a year or so later for the C's. From the article posted a couple of pages earlier -

Boeing anticipates receiving a follow-on EPAWSS contract from the Air Force in September 2016 for the EMD, integration and test phase of the program. This will be followed by a low rate initial production (LRIP) phase currently anticipated for August 2019. As Moore notes, "EPAWSS is an Acquisition Category 1 program (a program over $2 billion), so we go through an extensive acquisition process and must pass through each of the Air Force's milestone gates to proceed into the next phase." In the LRIP phase, 24 F-15E model aircraft and 18 F-15C model aircraft will be modified. The remaining aircraft will be upgraded in the full-rate production phase with, ultimately, over 400 F-15E and F-15C model aircraft to be equipped with the new system. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is targeted for 2021 for E-model aircraft, and late 2022 for C-models.

 

[bobbymike]

Long-Term Eagle Options

—John A. Tirpak

9/15/2016

​St. Louis—Mindful of the Air Force’s tight tactical aircraft budget, Boeing is offering the service a more modest package of F-15 upgrades than it has previously. Gone are the headliner F-15 “Silent Eagle” proposals—first pitched seven years ago—which would have made the jet more stealthy, supplanted by a package that will instead make the Eagle a better partner for the F-22 and F-35, said Larry Burt, of Boeing’s Global Strike business sector. Speaking at a Boeing-sponsored briefing for reporters at its defense systems offices, Burt said the company is offering a program of upgrades that could be added when the aircraft come in for service life extension work, some of which is already under contract. Boeing is proposing changes that will keep the F-15C “combat relevant going into the 2030s and 2040s,” which is how long USAF now thinks it may have to keep the Eagle, Burt said. The changes center on improving the F-15’s radar, loadout—the number of air-to-air and other weapons it can carry—as well as increasing its range, adding an infrared search and track system, adding communications capability so the F-15 can talk to the F-35 and F-22, and an omnibus electronic warfare update. The F-15 could be upgraded with new “quad racks” that could double its dogfight missile payload to 16 or even 22 rounds, while range could be extended by adding conformal fuel tanks to the C model like those on the F-15E Strike Eagle version.

USAF’s mantra for the future fight is to “bring rails” with more shots, Burt said. The CFTs would free up a station on each wing for more missiles, and the CFTs themselves could carry racks. The IRST—which is not on the F-22 and is in a different form on the F-35—could passively detect adversary jets that will be increasingly stealthy over the next two decades, Burt said. “A lot of the Silent Eagle is here,” Burt said, but “we’ve right-sized the capability package,” said Dan Gillian, vice president of the F/A-18 and EA-18 programs. The Air National Guard is buying 11 CFT sets and has an option for 200 more, Burt said. The structural improvements Boeing has discussed with the Air Force that would extend the Eagles into the 2040s include new wings, longerons, and other load-bearing elements, and there is always “the possibility of some new-builds,” Burt said. Boeing has a standing offer to produce more F-15s for the Air Force, and the line will stay open at the rate of one per month through 2019 for Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Other operators include Israel, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.

 

[flateric]

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-09-22/boeing-proposes-new-life-lethality-f-15c-fighter

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-09-22/boeing-proposes-new-life-lethality-f-15c-fighter

That picture shows 16 missiles I wonder (from my post one up from yours) where the extra 6 missiles would go in a 22 missile configuration?

 

[TomS]

Possibly on the outer wing hardpoints, which are not currently used in the C model

 

[Hanse]

Possibly on the outer wing hardpoints, which are not currently used in the C model

Weren't there structural problems that eliminated the use of those two pylons? (Similar to the reason 4 tanks are never carried on the F-22 despite that being the intent.)

 

[TomS]

Possibly on the outer wing hardpoints, which are not currently used in the C model

Weren't there structural problems that eliminated the use of those two pylons? (Similar to the reason 4 tanks are never carried on the F-22 despite that being the intent.)

The F-15SA uses them, and Boeing has shown them in other illustrations of the 16-shooter configuration (in lieu of the double racks on the shoulder stations). Might be that you need to swap the C's wing for the E's?

 

[marauder2048]

I thought the activation of the outer wing hardpoints had more to do with the Digitial FBW that permitted them to compensate for asymmetric external stores.

 

[NeilChapman]

Has anyone done a cost comparison of the costs of upgrading and keeping the Eagles flying and relevant as compared to the costs of what would have been spent to procure another 100 F-22s? What a gigantic waste of money it is to upgrade 25 year old airframes when a better solution was already in production. I would rather have another 100 F-22s than a couple hundy upgraded F-15s.

RAND study in 2010 stated 75 F-22's (block buy) would have been ~US$13Billion in FY08 dollars. The same RAND study estimated >~US$19Billion to restart production line and build 75 jets in FY2010 dollars. In hindsight, it would be nice to have more F-22's but it turns out the F-22 is a bitch to upgrade. It's highly specialized and was at the forefront of stealth tech maturity. It's mission capable rate is ~65%.

But say that's OK and you wanted to build another 100 F-22's today (6 years later) you'd have to

1. Figure out what you don't have - tool-wise. Recall they went to check on the production tooling that was supposedly saved and some of the boxes were empty.
2. Figure out which of the over 1000 subcontractors still have the info/tools/etc they need to produce the parts.
3. Complete that gap analysis.
4. Figure out what you want to put into the restarted production. Engine/systems/etc.
5. Design the modified airframe. It's going to be somewhat different because the engines, RAM and other tech will be different.
6. Now you can determine what it's going to cost.
7. Complete the design/risk reduction/EMD phase and train the workforce.
8. Run through LRIP and testing
9. Complete IoC
10. Complete FoC

Costs include...
1. The gap analysis above
2. The design/risk reduction/EMD phase would be at least what the F-15 upgrade is costing.
3. The acquisition costs which would be north of US$150Million per copy w/o EMD costs or >US$270Million per copy when US$12Billion in EMD costs are added across 100 airframes - ~US$27-30Billion
4. And, you're looking at minimum 5 if not 10 years before you get a single airframe.

- or -

You can start upgrading 435 F-15's - TODAY. Then award a PCA contract in 2018 with a 2025-2028 IOC which will take advantage of new engine technology + maturation of the F-35 systems and other stealth advances.

----------

With the state of readiness that's being reported, upgrading F-15's (and F-22's) is critical. The US needs to get it's pilots back flying 30+ hours per month asap. Want to see F-35 production at 180 jets per year as well instead of the planned 120 in 2019.




Link to the RAND study referenced
http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2010/RAND_MG797.pdf

 

[marauder2048]

It's important to keep in mind that the F-15 upgrades aren't entirely an Air Force (ACC) decision.
There is intense congressional pressure for ANG F-15 upgrades and the HASC will typically add F-15 upgrades regardless of what the AF requests.

 

[marauder2048]

http://dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-qatar-f-15qa-aircraft-weapons-and-related-support

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2016 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Qatar for F-15QA aircraft with weapons and related support, equipment, and training. The estimated cost is $21.1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 17, 2016.

The Government of Qatar requested to purchase seventy-two (72) F-15QA multi-role fighter aircraft and associated weapons package; the provision for continental United States based Lead-in-Fighter-Training for the F-15QA; associated ground support; training materials; mission critical resources and maintenance support equipment; the procurement for various weapon support and test equipment spares; technical publications; personnel training; simulators and other training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program value is $21.1 billion.

This proposed sale enhances the foreign policy and national security of the United State by helping to improve the security of a friendly country and strengthening our strategically important relationship. Qatar is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf region. Our mutual defense interests anchor our relationship and the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) plays a predominant role in Qatar's defense.

The proposed sale improves Qatar's capability to meet current and future enemy air-to-air and air-to-ground threats. Qatar will use the capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this aircraft, equipment, training, and support services will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Boeing Corporation of Chicago, IL. The Purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. Additional contractors include:

Astronautics Corporation of America, Arlington VA
BAE Systems, Arlington, VA
Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth, TX
General Electric Aviation of Cincinnati, OH
Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, AZ
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX
L3 Communications, Arlington, TX
NAVCOM, Torrance, CA Raytheon, Waltham, MA
Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA
Teledyne Electronic Safety Products, Thousand Oaks, CA
UTC Aerospace Systems, Charlotte, NC

Implementation of this sale requires the assignment of approximately 24 additional U.S. Government and approximately 150 contractor representatives to Qatar.

There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

 

[bobbymike]

From AFA:

Seymour Johnson Strike Eagles Get New Radars

12/15/2016

​An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Fighter Squadron sits in a hanger while members of the Radar Modernization Program Eagle team begin removing panels, Oct. 3, 2016, at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. Air Force photo by Airman Shawna L. Keyes.

​The Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing are about to get better eyes and ears. Airmen at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., and Boeing employees earlier this fall began work on the first F-15E at the base to receive the new APG-82 active electronically scanned array radar, an upgrade from its old APG-70 mechanically scanned radar. The work, stemming from a June 2016 contract worth about $27.5 million, is expected to take seven to nine years, with all 92 jets at the base receiving the upgrade. “This radar update is going to drastically improve the aircraft’s air-to-air and air-to-ground radar making it significantly more capable,” Boeing’s F-15E site lead Jonathan Pierce said in a Seymour Johnson news release. The new radar provides “near simultaneous interleaving of air-to-air and air-to-ground functions,” along with better combat identification, longer air-to-air target detection and tracking, higher resolution air-to-ground radar mapping, and it improves ground moving target track capability. The new radars are in other aircraft such as F-22s and F-35s, and the Air National Guard is working to outfit some of its F-16s with them.

 

[Airplane]

From AFA:

Seymour Johnson Strike Eagles Get New Radars

12/15/2016

​An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 336th Fighter Squadron sits in a hanger while members of the Radar Modernization Program Eagle team begin removing panels, Oct. 3, 2016, at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. Air Force photo by Airman Shawna L. Keyes.

​The Strike Eagles of the 4th Fighter Wing are about to get better eyes and ears. Airmen at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., and Boeing employees earlier this fall began work on the first F-15E at the base to receive the new APG-82 active electronically scanned array radar, an upgrade from its old APG-70 mechanically scanned radar. The work, stemming from a June 2016 contract worth about $27.5 million, is expected to take seven to nine years, with all 92 jets at the base receiving the upgrade. “This radar update is going to drastically improve the aircraft’s air-to-air and air-to-ground radar making it significantly more capable,” Boeing’s F-15E site lead Jonathan Pierce said in a Seymour Johnson news release. The new radar provides “near simultaneous interleaving of air-to-air and air-to-ground functions,” along with better combat identification, longer air-to-air target detection and tracking, higher resolution air-to-ground radar mapping, and it improves ground moving target track capability. The new radars are in other aircraft such as F-22s and F-35s, and the Air National Guard is working to outfit some of its F-16s with them.

Upgrading only 10 jets a year for 9 years with a new radar isn't laughable. It's sad. It should be 5-6/month. It's not as if Boeing is still churning out hundreds of 15s a year. They should have more than enough floor space and idle engineers/technicians.