Upgraded Japanese F-15s to include integrated suite of Boeing systems
Prime contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will upgrade F-15J fighters (pictured) to the Japan Super Interceptor configuration. (Photo: JASDF)
Boeing gains six-year deal for work on Japanese F-15J upgrade.
Boeing has obtained an FMS contract worth up to $471.31 million from the USAF to design and develop an ‘integrated suite of aircraft systems’ to support modification of Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J aircraft, the DoD announced on 30 December.
The deal also includes the development, test, and delivery of four Weapon System Trainers.
Boeing will perform the work in St Louis for completion by 31 December 2028.
In July 2020, Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) signed a deal to modernise the JASDF fleet of F-15J fighters to the Japan Super Interceptor configuration.
At the time, Boeing stated that the upgrade programme will include ‘state-of-the-art electronic warfare and weapons’ with an ‘all-new advanced cockpit system’.
MHI was scheduled in 2022 to begin modernising up to 98 F-15s as prime contractor. Shephard reported in December 2020 that the upgrade plan had encountered financial problems amid soaring costs — but the latest contract for Boeing suggests renewed life for the programme.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones]()
April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones
From France to Romania, there has been a clear shift away from expensive, vulnerable MALE UAVs in April towards lower-cost, expendable systems. Hard lessons from Ukraine and Iran have driven this shift.
-
![Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned]()
Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned
After months of delays, Rheinmetall has inked a €300 million deal with Germany for its FV-014 drone this week as part of a wider framework contract worth €2.4 billion for loitering munition procurement. Shephard looks at how the as-yet-unawarded funds could be spent.
-
![Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?]()
Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?
While the move to integrate lower-cost missiles onto more combat aircraft is long overdue, there is also an opportunity for cheaper turboprop platforms to perform CUAS roles.
-
![Industry makes strides on CCA programme as USAF makes nearly $1 billion funding request]()
Industry makes strides on CCA programme as USAF makes nearly $1 billion funding request
Anduril’s YFQ-44A has successfully undergone USAF experimental testing for Increment 1, while an engine has officially been selected for Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A – a potential candidate for Increment 2 of the air force’s CCA programme.
