The F-15 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System program achieved a major milestone when it delivered the first F-15E Strike Eagle equipped with the world's most advanced Electronic Warfare suite to RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom Jan. 16.
F-15 EPAWSS 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.
F-15 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.
"I'm proud of the entire government and industry team for their commitment, drive and outstanding work on this critical program," said Brig. Gen. Jason Voorheis, program executive officer for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate, which is leading the effort to field the new system. "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."
"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," added Lt. Col. Matt Heil, F-15 EPAWSS materiel leader. "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."
BAE Systems manufactures and Boeing integrates EPAWSS at their facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire and San Antonio, Texas. Boeing manufactures the F-15EX Eagle II in St. Louis, Missouri, which includes EPAWSS.
The delivery of the first F-15Es with upgraded EW capabilities marks a major step forward in the Air Force's effort to modernize these fourth-generation aircraft and prepare them for engagements against an advanced adversary.
