Boeing secures $615 million deal for F-15 electronic warfare upgrades

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By Sky Industry News

Jan 10, 2025

The United States Department of Defense has awarded Boeing a $615.8 million contract to enhance the F-15 Eagle fleet with advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The contract involves installing the AN/ALQ-250 Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) on new F-15EX Eagle IIs and retrofitting existing F-15E Strike Eagles, replacing outdated systems from the 1980s.

Boeing, based in St. Louis, Missouri, leads this initiative as the primary manufacturer of the F-15 aircraft family. BAE Systems is responsible for developing EPAWSS and will conduct part of the work at its Nashua, New Hampshire facility.

EPAWSS integrates various self-defense elements against radar frequency-based threats, enabling autonomous responses without aircrew intervention. For example, if an SA-15 radar-guided missile targets an F-15 equipped with EPAWSS, the system can automatically jam the missile while deploying chaff.

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The system combines all self-defense mechanisms into a single network. When a threat is detected by the radar warning receiver, it coordinates with a self-protection jammer to counteract it effectively. It also allows for geolocation of threats and deployment of infrared flares and radar-reflecting chaff to divert incoming missiles.

Additionally, EPAWSS is compatible with AESA radar technology, offering enhanced threat detection and response options. Its digital design reduces weight on the aircraft while improving reliability and response time.

BAE Systems' Bridget McDermott emphasized EPAWSS's significance: “EPAWSS production is growing as the Department of Defense signals the long-term importance of F-15s to the strategic fleet. These aircraft bring speed, maneuverability, and payload to the fight, and now, with EPAWSS, they can better detect and protect against modern threats.”

The development reflects ongoing efforts to maintain F-15 relevance in modern military operations through technological advancements in defense systems.