Fly like an Eagle — Part 1
I was just looking as to whether it was possible to fit a enhanced ew capability within the silent eagle. It maybe not as capable on a 1v1 basis but if you had a flight of 4 aircraft and using datalink could they provide a extra resource.
1. Sorry for the 7 year wait to reply to this (as it took a long time for this info to become open source). The Koreans and Singaporeans had some enhanced EW capability installed internally in their Eagles — whose capability in similar form is being replicated by new Eagle buyers, like the F-15EX and the F-15QA.
2. The F-15QA has Raytheon’s APG-63(V)3 AESA radar, Lockheed Martin AAS-42 Tiger Eyes infrared search and track system, a Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems for both the pilot and WSO (as the fighter has twin seats), and the new more powerful General Electric F110-129 engine, a redesigned internal wing structure, and two additional wing hardpoints that allow it to carry up to 16 AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.
The QEAF is scheduled to start receiving the first of 48 these F-15QAs in June 2021.
3. But the external mold-line of these advanced variants have not changed since the F-15SG (with sensors just at the cockpit and at the tail) — with the addition of the correct sensor pod, is used by Singapore in a maritime strike role. “Singapore is doing very innovative things with their F-15s, notably in evolving the capabilities of the aircraft to contribute to maritime defense and security. We are looking very carefully at their innovations and can leverage their approach and thinking as well,” Gen. Herbert J. "Hawk" Carlisle said. “This will certainly grow as we introduce the fleet of F-35s in the Pacific where cross national collaboration is built in.”
4. The USAF having looked at these improvements, have implemented a program to enhance the EW capability of their fleet (which will remain in service in the 2040s and beyond). The Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System, (EPAWSS), is a full electronic warfare overhaul for the Strike Eagle. Ultimately, it’s planned that 217 production F-15Es will receive EPAWSS, plus the new-build F-15EX fleet.
5. The F-15E’s EPAWSS was one of the “prioritized tests” conducted during a major exercise called Large Force Test Event (LFTE) 20.03. LFTE 20.03 was designed to validate tactics in a contested environment, refine electronic attack tactics using new capabilities, and optimize large force interoperability between fighters and standoff electronic attack platforms. “Prioritized test” status was given to portions of the event that focused on EPAWSS.
6. EPAWSS is not only physically smaller than previous systems, but it can also be rapidly and more easily updated to add new capabilities to keep abreast of developing threats. It’s also promised to be less maintenance-heavy and more reliable than legacy equipment, bringing down costs. Designed to sample the electromagnetic spectrum, identify threats, prioritize, and allocate jamming resources against them, EPAWSS is described by BAE, as follows:
“Providing both offensive and defensive electronic warfare options for the pilot and aircraft, EPAWSS offers fully integrated radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection solutions to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense contested and highly contested environments. Equipped with advanced electronic countermeasures, it enables deeper penetration against modern integrated air defense systems, providing rapid response capabilities to protect the aircrew.”
Maybe that could be an extra selling point to people looking to replace f-15c's. You could maybe have the usual 2 sidewinder and amraam on wing stations then have alternate harm/amraam on fuselage stations.
7. Boeing has designed a new wing for
Qatar’s F-15QA that retains the same aerodynamic profile but internally it has been strengthen using new manufacturing techniques that Boeing developed over the last few years.
8. The F-15EX comes with nearly all the bells and whistles Eagle drivers have ever wished for: fly-by-wire flight controls, two new weapon stations, a new electronic warfare suite, advanced radar, a hyper-fast computer, conformal fuel tanks, and a strengthened structure. But many of these improvements have been paid for by Saudi Arabia and Qatar have collectively spent about $5 billion developing their own versions of the F-15.
9. The USAF budget includes US$1.8 billion to buy eight F-15’s in 2020; and a total of US$7.9 billion to purchase a total of 80. And no, the F-15EX is
not a repackaging of the
semi-stealthy F-15 Silent Eagle concept that Boeing floated nearly a decade ago.
The F-15X features no low-observable enhancements of any kind. Based on publicly available US budget figures, the F-15EX costs $80.3 million per fighter, including the cost of its twin engines. Thanks to fly-by-wire control, 2 new weapons stations, coupled with AMBER and further investments, Boeing has given the F-15EX the ability to carry up to
22 missiles or bombs.
