with the 92nd Squadron at King Abdul
Aziz AB, Dhahran. These aircraft have
been upgraded with General Electric
F110-GE-129C engines and the Sniper
advanced targeting pod.
The F-15C/D eet has received few
upgrades and most airframes retain early
versions of the APG-63 radar, though the
AIM-9X has been added. The RSAF’s most
signi cant modernization comes on the
back of the new F-15SA (Saudi Advanced).
The F-15SA is based on the two-seat
Advanced F-15. It features the same
Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)3 AESA radar as
the F-15SG and upgraded USAF F-15Cs,
the Digital Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing
System (DJHMCS), the BAE Systems digital
electronic warfare system/common
missile warning system (DEWS/CMWS),
the new stations 1 and 9, General Electric
F110-GE-129 engines and a selection of
weapons including Joint Direct Attack
Munitions (JDAMs), AGM-88 High-speed
Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and
AGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship and
surface attack missiles. Like the existing
F-15S aircraft, the F-15SAs will use the
DB-110 electro-optical reconnaissanceBoeing says Japan is evaluating a
number of upgrade options, with
structural retro ts likely to be required
as well as new capabilities. Speaking in
February, Gene Cunningham, vice-
president of Boeing Defense, Space
and Security, said the JASDF is looking
to contract a more comprehensive
upgrade for the F-15, which would
probably include the radar, defensive
systems and weapons. A decision is
expected in late 2018 or early 2019.SOUTH KOREA
The F-15K Slam Eagle was ordered
under the Republic of Korea’s FX ghter
program. In April 2002, Korea revealed
plans to procure 40 aircraft at a cost
of $4.2 billion. FX-2 followed in 2007
and called for an additional 21 jets that
included an attrition replacement. These
now equip three squadrons at Daegu.
The F-15K uses General Electric F110-
GE-129A engines, the AN/APG-63(v)1
radar, AN/AAS-42 Tiger Eyes infra-redsearch and track (IRST), and a range
of weapons including the AGM-84
SLAM-ER and now the KEPD-350 Taurus
stand-o cruise missile.SAUDI ARABIA
The Royal Saudi Air Force initially
received 46 F-15Cs and 16 F-15Ds for
the 5th, 6th and 13th Squadrons at
Taif, Khamis Mushayt and Dhahran
respectively, the rst reaching initial
operating capability in 1981. Saudi
Eagles achieved their initial air-to-air
victories against Iranian Phantoms on
June 5, 1984 when they threatened
Saudi oil elds. The RSAF jets employed
AIM-7 Sparrows on that occasion.
Following Operation ‘Desert Storm’ in
1991, further F-15C/D deliveries were
made, bringing the C/D total to 98.
A total of 72 F-15S Strike Eagles were
supplied under the Peace Sun IX deal
by 1999. These jets remain in service
with the 6th and 55th Squadrons at
King Khalid AB, Khamis Mushayt, andTop: An F-15K
Slam Eagle gets
airborne for a
‘Red Flag Alaska’
sortie. USAF/SSgt
Shawn Nickel
Above: Korea’s
F-15Ks are
strategically
important assets,
equipped with
a wide range
of stand-off
weapons.
PACAF/TSgt
Kamaile Casillas
Left: An F-15J of
203 Hikotai at
Chitose.
Rich Cooperhttp://www.combataircraft.net // May 2018 47
40-51 Eagles of the world C.indd 47 21/03/2018 10:44