F-15SA First Taxi Test

[Arabian Legend]

F-15SA First Taxi Test will look even nicer with the claws on

 

[Arabian Legend]

F-15SA Development



The F-15 is not unknown in Saudi Arabia, since its localized version, the F-15S is in service in the RSAF from 1995. RSAF currently operates a total of 70 F-15S jets together with 66 F-15C single seat and 18 F-15D two-seat models.

Saudi Arabia sought to upgrade their existing F-15S fleet and they wanted to purchase more of the upgraded version. The goal was to have 70 + 84 jets at identical configuration, thus Saudi Arabia requested 84 new F-15SA aircraft, plus an upgrade of its F-15S fleet to F-15SA standards, plus related equipment and weapons. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified the US Congress of this possible foreign military sale on Oct 20, 2010. The equipment list of the aircraft is very impressive:

Engines:

193 F-110- GE-129 engines

Avionics and sensors:

-170 APG-63(v)3 AESA radar sets
-169 DEWS systems
-100 Link-16 datalink systems and spares
-40 ROVER systems (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receivers)
-193 LANTIRN navigation pods with Tiger Eye IRST systems
-158 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting systems
-169 AN/AAS-42 IRST systems
-338 JHMCS systems with 462 JHMCS helmets
-462 AN/AVS-9 NVG’s
-10 DB-110 reconnaissance pods
-80 ACMI (Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation) pods

Weapons:


-100 M61 Vulcan cannons with 200,000 20mm cartridges and with 400,000 20mm target practice cartridges
-300 AIM-9X Sidewinder A/A missiles with 25 AIM-9X CATMs (Captive Air Training Missiles) and with 25 Special Air Training Missiles
-500 AIM-120C/7 AMRAAM A/A missiles with 25 AIM-120 CATMs
-1,000 dual mode laser/ GPS guided munitions (500 lbs)
-1,000 dual mode laser/ GPS guided munitions (2,000 lbs)
-1,100 GBU-24 Paveway III LGBs (2,000 lbs)
-1,000 GBU-31B V3 JDAMs (2,000 lbs)
-1,300 CBU-105D/B SFW/ WCMD
-50 CBU-105 inert
-1,000 MK-82 500 lb GP bombs with 6,000 MK-82 inert training bombs
-2,000 MK-84 2,000 lb GP bombs with 2,000 MK-84 inert training bombs
-400 AGM-84 Block II HARPOON missiles
-600 AGM-88B HARM missiles
---------------------------------------

Also included are the upgrade of the existing Royal Saudi Air Force ( RSAF) fleet of seventy (70) F-15S multi-role fighters to the F-15SA configuration, the provision for CONUS-based fighter training operations for a twelve (12) F-15SA contingent, construction, refurbishments, and infrastructure improvements of several support facilities for the F-15SA in-Kingdom and/or CONUS operations, RR-188 Chaff, MJU-7/10 Flares, training munitions, Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices, communication security, site surveys, trainers, simulators, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.

 

[Arabian Legend]

F-15SA Differences From the F-15E


Engines: Boeing will equip the F-15SA with General Electric made F-110- GE-129 engines, instead of the 'traditional' Pratt&Whitney F100-PW-220 series engines. Besides technical and performance differences, the GE engine can immediately be recognized by its different jet exhaust nacelles.

Electronic Warfare: Instead of the TEWS used in the Strike Eagle, the F-15SA will feature a digital electronic warfare system (developed by BAE Systems), dubbed as DEWS. DEWS was developed by leveraging F-22 and F-35 EW program results and replaces 4 legacy systems of the Strike Eagle. It is fully digital (hence its name) and works in close integration with wideband RF systems, including the AN/APG-63(v)3 AESA radar, giving the jet a very sharp edge in the electronic warfare arena.

DEWS offers full quadrant detection and response control, containing aft receiving antennas on top of the tails, aft RF transmitters and antennas built in the tailbooms, forward RF transmitters and antennas built in the leading edge of the wing roots, forward receiving antennas built in the wingtips and a low band Rx knife antenna placed on the underbelly of the jet below the cockpit. DEWS includes a digital RWR, digital jamming transmitter, ICS and an interference cancellation system. According to Boeing, the system will enables the F-15SA to jam enemy radars while its own radar and RWR continues to operate.

Radar: It is arguably the most important difference between the F-15E and F-15SA models. The F-15SA will be equipped with the APG-63(V)3 radar, the newest of the ultramodern AESA line developed by Raytheon.

Cockpit: Not much is known about cockpit differences. It's certain that Boeing will integrate the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) into the system. The cockpit interior lighting will be compatible with night vision goggles ( NVG's). Together with the JHMCS capability, display systems will be compatible with AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

Sensors: The F-15SA will use the top-notch Sniper XR targeting pod. The targeting pod will be attached under a new 3rd generation FLIR sensor which Boeing calls as "Tiger Eyes". This pod will give the F-15SA IRST capabilities in air-to-air engagements. Note that "Tiger Eyes" is also in service with the F-15K Slam Eagle version, as it is seen on the image below.

Communication: Not really a difference, since the Strike Eagle is also capable to carry, but the F-15SA will be equipped with the Fighter Data Link ( FDL).

Recce Pod: The F-15SA will use Goodrich's DB-110 reconnaissance pod. This is a digital, real-time, tactical reconnaissance system designed to capture images in day or night, using electro-optical sensor technology. The pod can transmit images via datalink to the ground in real time. The DB-110 can be operated autonomously, by the pod's reconnaissance management system. Imagery is viewed on the F-15SA's cockpit video display, enabling the pilot to verify targets and conduct tasks such as battle damage assessment. This system allows the pilot increased flexibility over current fielded systems.

Weapons: The F-15SA will be compatible with Paveway III LGB's and with the "J-series" range of weapons. It will carry the AGM-84 Block II HARPOON anti-ship missile.

 

[AUz]

Free money for U.S firms... great!

 

[Arabian Legend]

Free money for U.S firms... great!

how about great add to Saudi Arabia Air Force instead of looking how much we put on table!

 

[Arabian Legend]

AGM-88B HARM missiles

 

[Arabian Legend]

AGM-84 Block II HARPOON missiles

 

[Arabian Legend]

GBU-24 PAVEWAY III Laser Guided Bombs

 

[JUBA]

GBU-24 PAVEWAY III Laser Guided Bombs

Gotta love those JDAMs

 

[Mercenary]

Now if only the Saudis can train their pilots to fly these birds.

It will make a potent threat to Iran.

 

[Mosamania]

Now if only the Saudis can train their pilots to fly these birds.

It will make a potent threat to Iran.

Our pilots ate trained up to NATO standards. And I am not the one saying that, it is Americans and Brits themselves.

 

[JUBA]

Now if only the Saudis can train their pilots to fly these birds.

It will make a potent threat to Iran.

So, who you think is flying these planes then ? ghosts perhaps ?

 

[Arabian Legend]

Gotta love those JDAMs

@ 0:44


both Laser Guided And GPS

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

Wonderful plane. Saudi air-force is becoming more stronger and mix of powerful birds. This is nightmare for enemy even to think fight with typhoons, f15s etc. Pilots are getting hands on top class planes.

 

[Arabian Legend]

JHMCS helmets

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