The F-15 is equipped with EPAWSS, a digital EW suite that replaces analogue systems and allows it to function in environments with a lot of RF background noise and contemporary threats.
SAN ANTONIO – Boeing Co.’s military avionics specialists have started installing an advanced electronic warfare (EW) system on American aircraft. F-15E jet fighter-bomber fleet of the Air Force.
At the Boeing factory in San Antonio, the Air Force oversaw the initial installations of the F-15 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) on operational F-15E aircraft in July.
The EPAWSS hardware was previously installed by Boeing on eight test F-15 combat aircraft, and the company is currently putting the system on the new F-15EX aircraft at its St. Louis manufacturing factory.
Related: Boeing will equip American aircraft with electronic warfare (EW) equipment fleet of F-15 jet fighters in the Air Force
In order for the F-15 to function in a contemporary threat environment with thick radio-frequency backgrounds, the F-15 EPAWSS replaces an analogue, federated system with a next-generation, digital, integrated EW suite.
With the capacity to autonomously detect, identify, and locate threat systems before denying, degrading, and disrupting them, the improved EW avionics enhance pilot situational awareness.
The F-15 is made by Boeing, which also handles programme integration, and BAE Systems is in charge of making the sophisticated EW equipment.
Related: Electronic warfare (EW) to be integrated into F-35 fighter-bomber avionics by Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems
The programme team produced six revisions of mission system software in 2021 and 2022, carried out 12 significant ground tests, took part in three open air range events, and flew 1,521 hours of flight test while setting up the San Antonio modification line and enhancing sustainment capabilities.
The combined government-industry programme team finished final development and qualification of the EW hardware over the past 18 months in addition to maturing system performance, ensuring the system meets reliability and maintainability metrics, and laying the groundwork for long-term system sustainment.
EPAWSS improves the situational awareness of the aircrew, enables them to recognise when they are being radar-targeted, and gives them cutting-edge strategies to defeat contemporary integrated air defence systems.
