WASHINGTON (AFNS) –
The Department of the Air Force has awarded a nearly $ 1.2 billion contract for its first batch of eight F-15EX fighter jets.
The contract, awarded to Boeing, provides for the design, development, integration, manufacturing, testing, verification, certification, delivery, maintenance and modification of F-15EX aircraft, including spare parts, support equipment, training materials, technical data and technical support. .
The F-15EX will replace the oldest. F-15C / Ds in the service inventory. Eight F-15EX aircraft were approved in the FY2020 budget and 12 were requested in the FY21 budget. The Air Force plans to purchase a total of 76 F-15EX aircraft during the five-year Future Years Defense Program.
“The F-15EX is the most economical and immediate way to upgrade capacity and upgrade capabilities provided by our former F-15C / D fleets,” he said. General Mike Holmescommander of Air combat command. “The F-15EX is ready to fight as soon as it gets off the line.”
The F-15EX is a two-seat fighter with exclusive US capabilities.It features a deep magazine that can carry a load of advanced weapons. The platform also requires minimal transition training or additional manpower and few infrastructure changes, ensuring mission continuation.
“When they are delivered, we expect the bases currently operating the F-15 to transition to the new EX platform in a matter of months versus years,” Holmes said.
The most significant difference between the F-15EX and the legacy F-15 lies in its Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture. The OMS architecture will allow the rapid insertion of the latest aircraft technologies. The F-15EX will also have fly-by-wire flight controls, a new electronic warfare system, advanced cockpit systems, and the latest mission systems and software capabilities available to legacy F-15s.
“The F-15EX’s digital backbone, open mission systems, and generous payload capacity fit well with our vision for a future network-enabled war,” he said. Dr. Will Roper, undersecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. “Continuous updating of systems and how they share data through the Joint Force is critical to defeating advanced threats. F-15EX is designed to evolve from day one. “
The first eight F-15EX aircraft will be shipped to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to support testing efforts. Delivery of the first two aircraft is scheduled for the second quarter of fiscal year 21. The remaining six aircraft are scheduled to deliver in fiscal year 23. The Air Force is using the Strategic Basis Process to determine field locations for the batches of subsequent aircraft.
