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The United States Air Force (USAF) has delivered the first F-15E Strike Eagle, equipped with the world’s most advanced electronic warfare suite, to the United Kingdom.
The F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) substantially improves pilot situational awareness with the capability to autonomously detect, identify and locate threat systems and then deny, degrade and disrupt those same threats.
The system replaces legacy technology developed to counter Cold-War era threat systems with a next-generation EW system, which enables the F-15 to operate in a modern threat environment.
The F-15 EPAWSS program achieved a major milestone when it delivered the aircraft to RAF Lakenheath in England on 16 January this year.
“I’m proud of the entire government and industry team for their commitment, drive and outstanding work on this critical program,” said Brigadier General Jason Voorheis, program executive officer for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate.
“It has taken us a long time to get to this point, but this system is vital to our 21st century fighter force structure.
“EPAWSS significantly improves the survivability and lethality of the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II, and the fact the first modifications are delivering to our front-line fighters at RAF Lakenheath is even more critical.
“Not only does this system keep our most lethal fighter in the modern fight, it’s an incredible deterrent in our great power competition initiative.”
BAE Systems manufactures and Boeing integrates EPAWSS at their facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire, and San Antonio, Texas. The F-15EX Eagle II is manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri.
The delivery of the first F-15Es with upgraded EW capabilities marks a major step forward in the USAF’s effort to modernise these fourth-generation aircraft and prepare them for engagements against an advanced adversary.
“This first delivery is the culmination of 11 years of extremely hard work by a lot of great people within the government and our Boeing/BAE Systems industry partners,” said Lieutenant Colonel Matt Heil, materiel leader, F-15 EPAWSS.
“This system is a critically needed capability for F-15 aircrew, Air Combat Command, and the nation.
“Furthermore, the system architecture enables us to keep advancing the capability for many years via continual software updates and improvements. EPAWSS is a game changer.”
