South Korea is shifting to improve the ROKAF’s F-15K Slam Eagle fleet to a configuration just like the F-15EX Eagle II, considerably enhancing its long-range strike and survivability capabilities.
Boeing has been awarded a contract for the improve of the Republic of Korea Air Drive’s (ROKAF) F-15K Slam Eagle fleet. The event follows the launch of the improve program in 2022 by the Protection Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) the approval of a Overseas Navy Sale (FMS) by the U.S. in November 2024.
The Slam Eagles are the mainstay of the Republic of Korea Air Drive’s (ROKAF) multirole missions, with a selected ‘heavy hitting’ long-range strike function. In keeping with the accessible information, the nation operates 59 F-15Ks out of 61 which have been initially fielded in 2005.
The Improve
The contract, price $2.806 billion, covers “the design and growth of an built-in suite of plane techniques to assist modification of the F-15K,” reads the discover revealed by the U.S. Division of Protection. The U.S. Air Drive Life Cycle Administration Middle is talked about because the contracting exercise, appearing on behalf of the ROKAF and DAPA.
The discover additional mentions that the work will likely be carried out at Boeing’s services in St. Louis, Missouri, and is anticipated to be full by Dec. 31, 2037. The timeline is broadly in keeping with what was initially deliberate by the DAPA, from 2024 to 2034, taking additionally into consideration the delay within the contract award.
The FMS approved in 2024 talked about an estimated price of $6.2 billion, which would come with each the design and growth lined by the contract awarded to Boeing and the tools and work for the improve of the plane.
As a part of DAPA’s program, the Protection Safety Cooperation Company’s (DSCA) FMS discover says various parts have been requested for the improve, together with 96 Superior Show Core Processor II (ADCP II) mission system computer systems, 70 AN/APG-82(v)1 Energetic Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) radars, seventy 70 AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Energetic Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) digital warfare (EW) suites and 70 AN/AAR-57 Frequent Missile Warning Methods (CMWS).
The parts included within the sale point out that the ROKAF intends to improve its whole fleet of F-15Ks to a configuration just like the brand new F-15EX Eagle II at present being delivered to the U.S. Air Drive. Apparently, the Korean configuration will even embrace the CMWS, at present not put in on the EX, so the F-15K will even require some structural modifications so as to add the blisters on either side of the cover rail the place the sensors are put in.
The inclusion of aerial refueling assist and plane ferry assist within the FMS discover advised that a minimum of the preliminary plane may very well be ferried to the USA for the modifications earlier than the remaining are modified in nation. The point out of the work to be performed in St. Louis additional factors to that risk.
The F-15K Slam Eagle
The F-15K is a variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle constructed for the Republic of Korea Air Drive’s (ROKAF) with nearly half of the parts manufactured regionally. The plane emerged because the winner of the F-X fighter program towards the Rafale, Storm and Su-35 in 2002, leading to an order for 40 F-15s outfitted with Basic Electrical F110-129 engines. In 2005, a second order for 21 plane outfitted with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines was signed.
The Slam Eagle identify is derived from the F-15K’s functionality to make use of the AGM-84H SLAM-ER standoff cruise missiles, with the Taurus KEPD 350K being one other weapon unique to the ROKAF jet. The F-15K is employed as a totally multi-role plane and is taken into account advert one of many key belongings of the Korean armed forces.
With the plane averaging an age of 16 years and anticipated to be in service till 2060, the Protection Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) launched in 2022 an improve program for the F-15Ks. The improve, anticipated to run from 2024 to 2034, is dedicated to strengthening the mission capabilities and survivability of the jet.
The F-15K at present equips three squadrons at Daegu Air Base, within the southeast of the nation. Though primarily based removed from the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the F-15K with its SLAM-ER and KEPD 350 missiles can nonetheless hit strategic targets deep behind North Korean borders.
The F-15EX-Derived New Capabilities
It isn’t but clear if the F-15K will obtain a brand new cockpit, since its configuration will likely be just like the Eagle II. In reality, the F-15EX has a full glass cockpit outfitted with a ten×19-inch touch-screen multifunction colour show and JHMCS II each within the entrance and rear cockpit, Low Profile HUD within the entrance, stand-by show and devoted engine, gasoline and hydraulics show, along with the usual warning/warning lights, switches and Palms On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) management.
Both approach, the techniques will likely be powered by the Superior Show Core Processor II, reportedly the quickest mission laptop ever put in on a fighter jet, and the Operational Flight Program Suite 9.1X, a personalized variant of the Suite 9 used on the F-15C and F-15E, designed to make sure full interoperability of the brand new plane with the “legacy Eagles”.
The F-15K will likely be outfitted with the brand new AN/APG-82(V)1 Energetic Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The radar, which has been developed from the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar of the F-15C and the APG-79 AESA radar of the F/A-18E/F, permits to concurrently detect, establish and monitor a number of air and floor targets at longer ranges in comparison with mechanical radars, facilitating persistent goal commentary and data sharing for a greater decision-making course of.
The AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS will present full-spectrum EW capabilities, together with radar warning, geolocation, situational consciousness, and self-protection to the F-15. Chaff and flares capability will likely be elevated by 50%, with 4 extra dispensers added within the EPAWSS fairings behind the tail fins (two for every fairing), for a complete of 12 dispenser housing 360 cartridges.
EPAWSS is absolutely built-in with radar warning, geo-location and elevated chaff and flare functionality to detect and defeat floor and airborne threats in signal-dense and extremely contested environments. Due to this, the system permits freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by fashionable built-in air protection techniques.
The AN/AAR-57 CMWS is an ultra-violet primarily based missile warning system, a part of an built-in IR countermeasures suite using 5 sensors to show correct menace location and dispense decoys/countermeasures. Though CMWS was initially fielded in 2005, BAE Methods constantly personalized the algorithms to adapt to new threats and CMWS has now reached Era 3.
The Timing of the F-15K Improve
The improve of the F-15K is a part of a broader modernization of the ROKAF’s fighter fleet. In reality, the service can also be upgrading its KF-16s Block 52 to the V configuration, integrating a brand new AESA radar, mission laptop, self-protection suite, with works anticipated to be accomplished by 2025.
These applications complement the acquisition of the F-35A Lightning II and the KF-21 Boramae. The upgrades would enable improved interoperability and effectiveness in in the present day’s fight situations.
The choice to improve the F-15K comes as South Korea faces an more and more advanced menace atmosphere pushed by North Korea’s increasing ballistic missile arsenal and China’s quickly modernizing air power. The size of the modernization effort suggests South Korea intends to maintain the Slam Eagle related for high-end battle properly into the 2040s and probably past.
The Slam Eagle stays the ROKAF’s main long-range strike platform able to carrying heavy stand-off weapons such because the Taurus KEPD 350 and SLAM-ER. Whereas Seoul is buying extra superior fighters such because the F-35A and the indigenous KF-21 Boramae, these at present lack an analogous stand-off functionality in ROKAF’s service.
Nevertheless, the KF-21 is anticipated to be outfitted with the brand new Korea Air-Launched Cruise Missile (KALCM) as a part of the expanded air-to-ground capabilities which will likely be introduced by the Block 2 variant. In keeping with experiences, the preliminary air-to-ground functionality is anticipated to be utilized to mass-produced KF-21 plane beginning in 2027.
Future
The mix of the brand new ADCP II mission system computer systems, APG-82 AESA radar, EPAWSS digital warfare suite and CMWS sensors will considerably improve the F-15K’s skill to function in closely contested environments, together with towards fashionable built-in air protection techniques.
This might allow the F-15K to imagine a bigger supporting function when working together with the F-35A, particularly in standoff strike missions the place the Slam Eagle might act as missile truck. Among the many elements that may be important in such situations is the improved functionality to share information with different belongings for improved situational consciousness and focusing on functionality.
Additionally, by aligning the F-15K’s configuration carefully with the U.S. Air Drive’s F-15EX Eagle II, South Korea would maximize interoperability with American forces working within the area. In reality, because the F-15EX will likely be quickly deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, this may not solely simplify joint coaching and logistics, but additionally strengthen mixed strike capabilities in a possible regional contingency and the flexibility to deploy the F-15EX in South Korea.
