Boeing Air Force contract: Boeing has secured a major contract worth up to $615.7 million to produce the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) for F-15 fighter jets. This system is designed to improve the aircraft’s ability to detect and counter electronic threats. The contract, awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense, is expected to be completed by December 31, 2030.
The deal includes several components, such as kits to install the system on aircraft, engineering and program management services, and materials for interim contractor support. According to Businessinsider, the initial funding of $262.2 million has been allocated, with specific amounts set aside for 2023, 2024, and 2025 procurement needs.
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The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center will oversee the project, and the contract was awarded to Boeing without competition as a sole-source acquisition.
What is EPAWSS?
The EPAWSS is a cutting-edge electronic warfare system that enhances the ability of F-15 fighter jets to detect and respond to threats. It can scan the entire electromagnetic spectrum to identify dangers like enemy radar or communication signals.
Once a threat is detected, the system deploys countermeasures either electronically, such as jamming signals, or physically, like releasing chaff and flares to confuse incoming missiles. The system uses strategically placed antennas, including ones on the vertical stabilizers of the aircraft, to ensure full coverage.
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EPAWSS was initially developed for the F-15E Strike Eagle but is now also installed on the newer F-15EX Eagle II model. Boeing plans to deliver at least 200 units to the U.S. Air Force, which includes upgrading 99 older F-15E Strike Eagles and equipping new F-15EX aircraft. The system is also being offered to international customers, such as Japan for its F-15J jets and South Korea for its F-15K models.
There is speculation that Israel’s order for 25 F-15IA Eagle aircraft, expected in November 2024, will include the EPAWSS, although this has not been officially confirmed.
