The U.S. Navy used one in every of Boeing’s F-15SA instrumented plane to conduct the ultimate take a look at flight of the AGM-84 Harpoon Block II Replace on the Level Mugu Sea Vary.
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Techniques Command (NAVAIR) introduced the profitable completion of the third and remaining deliberate flight take a look at of the Harpoon Block II Replace (HIIU) Obsolescence Replace program. The take a look at, which noticed Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) program workplace working along with Boeing, was performed on Jan. 16, 2026, at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Level Mugu Sea Vary in California.
Notably, the take a look at noticed the involvement of F-15 12-1002, which is likely one of the three instrumented F-15SAs (Saudi Superior) working from Boeing amenities in Palmdale, California. The truth is, the Saudi F-15SA is likely one of the two variants (the opposite being the South Korean F-15K) that may make use of the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile and its by-product AGM-84H/Ok Standoff Land Assault Missile-Prolonged Vary (SLAM-ER).
Harpoon Block II Replace
In keeping with NAVAIR’s assertion, the take a look at of the Harpoon Block II Replace (HIIU) “demonstrated a profitable Coastal Goal Suppression mission in opposition to a consultant land goal, with all take a look at targets met primarily based on preliminary assessments.” Whereas the Harpoon was designed as an anti-ship missile, with the Block II it later integrated the potential to assault land targets, which was first demonstrated in 2001.
The weapon was launched by the F-15 at roughly 12,000 toes above floor degree, descending to an preliminary waypoint altitude of 5,000 toes and continuing to the goal space with “a number of altitude modifications to simulate a coastal engagement,” earlier than a steep terminal dive previous to affect. Utilizing the GPS-aided navigation launched with the Block II, the Harpoon can navigate plenty of pre-launch programmed waypoints, skimming throughout the ocean and performing a terminal pop-up maneuver prior to creating a steep dive angle assault.
When this variant was first examined, Boeing defined the brand new capabilities have been offered by incorporating the low-cost inertial measuring unit from the Joint Direct Assault Munition (JDAM) and the software program, mission laptop, built-in World Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System and GPS antenna from the SLAM-ER. The coupling of GPS/INS with the present radar seeker is alleged to enhance steering to the goal search space, which may be set along with areas to keep away from in the course of the search.
The testing of the newest HIIU variant, outlined as a close to complete redesign of the weapon with the refreshment of the interior elements, began in 2025. The Navy deliberate a complete of three occasions designed to progressively validate system efficiency throughout mission units.
In keeping with the assertion, the primary take a look at, performed in mid-2025, verified steering and aerodynamic efficiency, the second demonstrated engagement of a shifting maritime floor goal, and the ultimate occasion, performed on Jan. 16, confirmed effectiveness in opposition to a land-based goal. The service added that the system-level flight testing for the HIIU Obsolescence Replace is sort of full, with preliminary deliveries deliberate for later this 12 months.
“This milestone displays the power of the built-in authorities and business workforce and their dedication to delivering dependable, related functionality to the fleet,” mentioned Capt. Sarah Abbott, PMA-201 program supervisor.
F-15’s Anti-Ship Capabilities
The F-15 Eagle was designed as an air superiority-focused platforms, though it later developed right into a multirole plane with the F-15E Strike Eagle and its derivates. Nonetheless, one of many capabilities of the newer variants is the anti-ship position, which is at present employed solely by the Royal Saudi Air Power’s F-15SA fleet and the Republic of Korea Air Power’s F-15K fleet.
Particularly, Saudi Arabia employs the F-15SA and AGM-84L Harpoon Block II, and South Korea employs the F-15K and the AGM-84H Standoff Land Assault Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER). This functionality stands them aside from the U.S. Air Power’s F-15E, as the 2 weapons are usually not a part of the service’s stock.
It isn’t quite common to see the F-15 armed with these weapons. Certainly one of these situations was when the F-15SA employed the Harpoon throughout a Pakistani/Saudi Arabian train in 2021, with a number of weapons fired after a flight from Saudi Arabia to a location off the coast of Pakistan.
Qatar was reportedly working to amass the AGM-84L Block II following the procurement of the F-15QA, nevertheless it’s unclear it the weapon was acquired. The F-15QA was primarily based on the F-15SA, and would thus embody related capabilities such because the anti-ship position.
Even with out Harpoons, the U.S. Air Power’s F-15s may obtain an anti-ship functionality ultimately. The truth is, in 2025, NAVAIR introduced its intention to barter a contract for the mixing of the AGM-158C-1 LRASM (Lengthy Vary Anti-Ship Missile) on the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-15EX Eagle II.
In comparison with the Harpoon, the LRASM would offer the F-15 with a low-observable anti-ship weapon with an extended vary, which the producer Lockheed Martin states is in extra of 200 NM or 370 km. The brand new weapon is supposed to supply the F-15 with a versatile, long-range, superior, anti-surface functionality in opposition to high-threat maritime targets.
