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New radomes for F-15s, RFTF supplier, 1st ANG F-15 rolled out with AESA. (April 12/10)
F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters have traditionally used APG-63 radars with mechanically steered arrays. While upgrades over the years have improved them, the mechanical steering components are a point of potential failure given the stresses put on them, and better radar technologies have appeared. With cruise missile defense rising in importance, and longer-range detection of threats desired, upgrades are necessary. They may also correct a known air-air weakness that can reputedly be exploited by aircraft like Russias SU-30 family, though other reports claim that the mechanically-scanned APG-63v1s have also worked to close that hole. Thus far, 18 USAF F-15Cs have been modified to carry APG-63v2 radars a misnomer, since the upgrade uses a revolutionary new AESA technology that bears little resemblance to its predecessor.
The USAF is discussing a retrofit set that would turn the F-15Cs into multi-role fighters; an AESA radar will be part of that, and the program to equip select F-15C units with AESA radars as an air-air improvement continues. They will now be joined by the USAFs entire 2-seat, multi-role F-15E Strike Eagle fleet, whose future AESA radar just received some improvements, and a new designation
F-15s Looking for the AESA Edge
F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters have traditionally used APG-63 radars with mechanically steered arrays. While upgrades over the years have improved them, the mechanical steering components are a point of potential failure given the stresses put on them, and better radar technologies have appeared. With cruise missile defense rising in importance, and longer-range detection of threats desired, upgrades are necessary. They may also correct a known air-air weakness that can reputedly be exploited by aircraft like Russias SU-30 family, though other reports claim that the mechanically-scanned APG-63v1s have also worked to close that hole. Thus far, 18 USAF F-15Cs have been modified to carry APG-63v2 radars a misnomer, since the upgrade uses a revolutionary new AESA technology that bears little resemblance to its predecessor.
The USAF is discussing a retrofit set that would turn the F-15Cs into multi-role fighters; an AESA radar will be part of that, and the program to equip select F-15C units with AESA radars as an air-air improvement continues. They will now be joined by the USAFs entire 2-seat, multi-role F-15E Strike Eagle fleet, whose future AESA radar just received some improvements, and a new designation
F-15s Looking for the AESA Edge
