That is a Big Bird! think I'll go look for a video?
US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
That is a Big Bird! think I'll go look for a video?
Jura The idiot
General
AESA radar for F-15, right?
Brumby
Major
I believe there are two upgrade tracks for the F-15's. This appropriation I suspect pertains to the upgrade of the F-15C/D to APG-63(V)3 AESA radars.
There is another one for the F-15E to APG-82(V)1 AESA radar.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
You be right Brumby.. there are currently 2 AESA upgrade paths for the F-15.. One for the Charlie and Delta call the 2040C upgrade and the other known as the (DoD) F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP) for the Strike Eagle.
The 2040 moniker came about because the upgrade is intended to make the Eagles serve until at least 2040.
Many F-15Cs are already receiving the APG-63(V) 3 AESA, but the upgrade program will also add the ADCP II, EPAWSS (replaces the current Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS), Mode 5 IFF, Boeing Talon HATE datalink/netowkr system which is basically the marriage of Intra Flight Data Link (IFDL) and the Multifunctional Information Distribution System-JTRS ( MIDS-J) and the Eagles will also receive a new more capable long-wave infrared search and track (IRST) however the biggest difference at least externally is the inclusion of 'quad pack' launch rails which will double AAMs from 8 to 16 and the addition of comformal fuel tanks. The Quad packs allows up to 16 AIM120D AMRAAMS.
Once the '2040C' upgrade is completed, it will be the most lethal F15 ever built.. and outside of stealth characteristics, will be even more lethal than the Silent Eagle proposed to SK a few years ago.
Brumby
Major
Thanks for explaining the RMP. I was wondering what was that all about.
The doubling of the AIM's makes it a good tag team with the F-35 in that one provides the stealth and sensor and the F-15 as the shooter.
Yes, the F-15 2040C will be an awesome aircraft.The Quad packs allows up to 16 AIM120D AMRAAMS.
Once the '2040C' upgrade is completed, it will be the most lethal F15 ever built.. and outside of stealth characteristics, will be even more lethal than the Silent Eagle proposed to SK a few years ago.
And that path is an upgrade path for all of the F-15Cs the USAF has.
IMHO...no brainer.
See:
F-15C/D Album on Flickr[/URL]
A bunch (30) high res photos there also of the USAF 493rd Grim Reapers which are forward deployed to England. Here's a few:
Gotta love that one arm patch.
I am sure their counterparts on the other side have similar reminders.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
The current inventory is still over 400 so it'll be a while before the F-35 can play buddy buddy with the F-15s but in reality the F15 will be buddying with the Raptor NOT the F-35s. Eagle goes in front with the new radar blasting away and dozens of missiles shooting while Raptor stays slightly behind and pounced like ninja in the fray! ... when paired with the 'new' Eagles the Raptors do not need to ever use external hardpoints and with the APG 77 turn to passive mode and using ESM, ALR 94 it will indeed be like ninjas in the night
Anyway I didn't make that up.. that's a winnable A to A combat strategy thought up by people in the industry familiar with combat air tactics against a modern adversary. This radar/system upgrade allows the Eagles to work seamlessly with the Raptor to do those things especially with the Talon HATE module.
Additionally the SLEP together with the 2040C and RMP upgrades are needed mainly just to keep the F-15s relevant and capable for the next 20 years in addition to working tandemly with the Raptors in A2A scenarios I mentioned.
This is especially since current ACC F-22 inventory is only about 180 or so and about only 140 of those combat coded, the F-15Cs have no choice but to remain capable as the USAF's primary air superiority fighter for couple more decades to come.
Well the F-22s are very capable, and the F-35s will be very soon, the F-15C/D remains the most dangerous aircraft among all the 4 and 4.5 gens?? Want to argue that fine, but although some of the Flankers have a kinematic advantage, and the Typhoons et al have HMS and good radars as well, the F-15 will have superior high powered radar and and a tremendous weapons load to get it done with its new Fire Control System, and working in tandem with our own 5 gens, theres little doubt that the F-15 is packing serious heat, and well able to put those weapons on target from a very significant range.
Ready for the Antarctic with its large skionly 7 LC-130H used by a ANG Sqn.
View attachment 21013 View attachment 21014
Look at that, shes still a beauty even with her Alpine equipment, 60 years old and still the bomb, shes a right size bird form most jobs around the house.