Boeing’s first F-15QA test completed
Boeing as successfully completed the first test of its F-15 Qatar Advanced (QA) fighter jet (pictured) which has been developed for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF).
The test lasted approximately 1.5h and was conducted at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri.
Col. Ahmed Al Mansoor, Commander of the QEAF F-15 Wing said: ‘This successful first flight is an important milestone that brings our squadrons one step closer to flying this incredible aircraft over the skies of Qatar.’
The contract was awarded to the company in 2017 for $6.2 billion to manufacture 36 F-15 jets for Qatar. An additional FMS was agreed for the provision of support services and maintenance training in 2019.
The aircraft’s avionics and radar were also successfully tested which include a next-generation fly-by-wire flight control, digital cockpit, modernised sensors and improved EW capabilities.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
-
US Navy moves EA-18G Growler Block II electronic-attack upgrade into full-rate production
A US$184.25 million contract for Next Generation Electronic Attack Units advances the Growler’s modernisation as the US Navy confronts ageing systems, parts shortages and obsolescence.
-
Could the next UAS market boom take place beyond the battlefield?
While the headlines remain dominated by the use of drones for combat operations in Ukraine and other conflicts, there are emerging use cases where the technology could usefully feed back into areas and missions outside the war zone.
-
USAF eyes sensor and weapon upgrades as MH-139A Grey Wolf achieves IOC
The Grey Wolf has entered operational service nearly three years later than originally planned, while new sustainment contracts indicate that some UH-1Ns could remain supported until 2031.