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Boeing to enhance F-15 with advanced defense tech by 2030.
The Boeing Company has been awarded a significant contract to support the United States Air Force’s F-15 fleet with the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System [EPAWSS].
This contract, structured as a fixed-price incentive with a firm target, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-reimbursable elements, reflects the strategic importance of upgrading the F-15’s defense capabilities in a rapidly evolving threat environment.
The contract, valued at a ceiling of $615,760,630, encompasses several key components aimed at enhancing the survivability of the F-15 platform. Boeing will be responsible for the procurement of Group A and Group B kits, which include the necessary hardware and electronics for the system.
Group A kits generally refer to the structural and interface components required to install the system. In contrast, Group B kits contain the essential electronic modules and other technological elements.
In addition to the production of these kits, Boeing will provide system engineering and program management services. This will involve overseeing the integration of the EPAWSS into the F-15, ensuring that the system functions optimally and meets the operational requirements of the Air Force.
The contract also includes provisions for interim contractor support lay-in material, which will ensure that spare parts and maintenance materials are readily available during the transition to full operational capability.
The work will be performed primarily in St. Louis, Missouri, and Nashua, New Hampshire, with an expected completion date of December 31, 2030. The sole-source nature of this acquisition underscores Boeing’s unique capabilities and experience with the F-15 platform, making it the most suitable contractor for this critical upgrade.
Funding for the contract is being allocated across multiple fiscal years, with $17,693,983 from fiscal 2023 procurement funds, $87,057,897 from fiscal 2024 funds, and $157,466,347 from fiscal 2025 funds being obligated at the time of award. This phased funding approach ensures a steady flow of resources to support the production and integration efforts over the contract period.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the contracting activity for this agreement. Their oversight will be crucial in managing the progress and ensuring that the EPAWSS upgrade meets the stringent demands of modern air combat scenarios.
Overall, this contract represents a significant step forward in bolstering the defensive and survivability features of the F-15, ensuring that it remains a formidable asset in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal for years to come.
The Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System [EPAWSS] is an advanced electronic warfare suite designed to significantly enhance the survivability and combat effectiveness of the F-15 Eagle, a critical platform in the U.S. Air Force’s fighter fleet.
Developed by BAE Systems and integrated by Boeing, EPAWSS replaces older defensive systems with cutting-edge technology capable of countering modern threats in highly contested environments.
EPAWSS incorporates both passive and active electronic countermeasures, providing the F-15 with a robust ability to detect, identify, and respond to a wide range of electromagnetic threats.
The passive components of the system include advanced radar warning receivers that can identify incoming threats from enemy radar systems.
These receivers are capable of providing real-time situational awareness, alerting the pilot to potential dangers in the environment, and allowing for evasive actions.
On the active side, EPAWSS includes powerful electronic countermeasure [ECM] capabilities that can jam or deceive enemy radar and missile guidance systems. This is achieved through the use of sophisticated algorithms that can generate false signals or disrupt the radar lock, effectively rendering the F-15 less visible or harder to target by adversaries.
The system’s active components are designed to operate seamlessly alongside other onboard systems, ensuring that the pilot can maintain focus on the mission while the electronic warfare suite handles the defensive tasks.
One of the standout features of EPAWSS is its fully integrated digital architecture. Unlike legacy systems that often relied on analog components and required manual tuning, EPAWSS leverages state-of-the-art digital signal processing to provide automatic threat detection and response.
This reduces the cognitive load on the pilot and improves reaction times, which are crucial in high-stakes combat scenarios. The system’s ability to rapidly analyze and adapt to the electronic battlefield ensures that the F-15 remains a potent force even in the face of sophisticated enemy air defenses.
EPAWSS also includes a comprehensive suite of sensors that allow for cross-domain awareness. These sensors can gather and fuse data from various sources, creating a holistic view of the battlespace. The information is then relayed to the pilot through advanced display systems, enhancing situational awareness and enabling better decision-making.
The fusion of data from multiple sensors allows EPAWSS to provide early warning of potential threats, giving the F-15 a critical edge in both offensive and defensive operations.
In addition to its primary function of threat detection and countermeasures, EPAWSS is designed to be modular and upgradeable. This ensures that the system can be updated with new software and hardware enhancements as technology evolves and new threats emerge.
The open architecture approach adopted by EPAWSS allows for the seamless integration of future capabilities, ensuring that the F-15 can continue to meet the demands of modern warfare well into the future.
The development and integration of EPAWSS reflect a broader shift in military aviation towards network-centric warfare, where electronic warfare capabilities play a pivotal role. In contested airspace, where advanced surface-to-air missile systems and enemy fighters pose significant threats, having an advanced electronic warfare suite like EPAWSS is crucial for mission success.
By providing the F-15 with the tools to evade detection and neutralize threats, EPAWSS enhances the aircraft’s survivability and enables it to operate effectively in environments where air superiority cannot be taken for granted.
Overall, EPAWSS represents a significant leap forward in electronic warfare technology for the F-15 Eagle. Its combination of passive and active countermeasures, integrated digital architecture, and modular design ensures that the system can adapt to the evolving nature of modern combat.
As the U.S. Air Force continues to rely on the F-15 for a range of missions, from air superiority to ground attack, the capabilities provided by EPAWSS will be essential in maintaining the aircraft’s effectiveness and ensuring the safety of its pilots.