F-15E Squadrons

Mission — F-15 Modernization source

F-15 Modernization development efforts continue the weapon system's evolution in support of the National Defense Strategy (NDS), ensuring the fleet can meet urgent and future capability needs, as well as compliment 5th-generation aircraft by bringing substantial capacity for long-range fires, sensors, and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. The programs below provide the F-15 fleet with electronic protection (EP) improvements, electronic attack (EA) improvements, advanced capabilities, threat and vulnerability mitigation, continued nuclear mission certification, and integration of new and upgraded weapons. Operational Flight Program (OFP) funding provides for ongoing software and hardware upgrades needed to meet and defeat emerging threats; integrate new and changing weapons, offensive and defensive avionics capabilities, and sensor capabilities; and support nuclear certification and aircraft subsystems. Funds also provide for resolution of emerging safety of flight issues, technology insertion, training system updates, and compliance with Federal, Department of Defense, or Air Force mandates that are necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. Funds may also help resolve diminishing manufacturing sources issues. In 2023, the OFP program transitioned to a Continuous Development and Integration (CD&I) approach to deliver annual software releases via agile development techniques. This approach has demonstrated the ability to combat the speed of adversary technology evolution and ensure the F-15 fleet maintains a competitive advantage. At any one time there will be up to three OFP upgrades in work: one in requirements definition, one in code writing and test, and one in flight test and release preparation. Flight Test funding supports ongoing F-15 Modernization by providing baseline infrastructure and personnel support for developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) operations. In FY 2026, the Flight Test budget request includes funds for upgrading test jets to meet DT & OT requirements. Radar Enhancements (RE) will continue the upgrade for digital Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) radar capabilities to counter sophisticated electronic threats and provide other capability improvements. OFP updates are required to ensure radar EP and EA improvements, and advanced capabilities, are seamlessly integrated into the F-15 fleet. Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system provides air to air detection, tracking, and ranging capabilities in a radar-contested environment. Multifunctional Information Distribution System - Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) integrates a new Link 16 system that complies with a National Security Agency (NSA) mandate on cryptographic modernization and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandate on frequency remapping. The FAA mandate requires all fielded Link-16 terminals incorporate the frequency re-mapping capability by 2025. Data Transfer Module II (DTM II) is an upgraded replacement for the existing low-memory data transfer system. This system improves and supports mission planning capability and weapons employment, increases storage, replaces the aging mapping system, updates interfaces, provides data encryption, and delivers improved cybersecurity. GPS M-Code / Resilient-Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation System (R-EGI) will provide enhanced Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities and improved resistance to existing and emerging threats to GPS, such as jamming and spoofing. Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)/Second Generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN) will provide Satellite Communications (SATCOM) capable Air Force F-15 aircraft the ability to communicate on the MUOS constellation in support of a NORTHCOM Airspace Control Alert (ACA) requirement. SATURN will replace the Have Quick II and comply with the NSA lease key mandated dates. Eagle Tether will provide a satellite communications capability. The program leverages technology developed under AFRL Global Lightning, as well as terminal and aperture capabilities developed in Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) PE 0604003F, to eliminate duplication of effort, optimize capability delivery in alignment with the C3BM DAF BATTLE NETWORK architecture, and enable Long Range Kill Chain (LRKC) capabilities. This effort is a FY 2026 New Start.

Mission — F-15E Squadrons source

The F-15C continues to provide air superiority with an undefeated and unmatched aerial combat record. The F-15E retains this air superiority capability and adds systems, such as conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), advanced imaging and targeting systems, to meet the requirement for all-weather, deep-penetration, and night/under-the-weather, air-to-surface attack. Upgrades to F-15 aircraft are critical to maintaining combat viability (lethality, survivability, and supportability) in support of the National Defense Strategy. With newer F-15E aircraft projected to remain in service past 2040, avionics modernization is key to long-term weapon system viability. Major avionics upgrades include radar modernization (both hardware and software) and capability enhancements via precision timing, data delivery and processing technology, precision registration systems, display optimization, instrumentation digitization and modernization, central computer processing power increases, digital mission event recording systems, and an infrared (IR)-based fire control system. The proliferation of fourth-generation enemy aircraft and sophisticated "double-digit" anti-aircraft missile systems pose a significant threat to F-15 survivability. A fully integrated electronic warfare suite holds the promise of providing improved survivability as well as expanded electronic attack capability. Nearly all new avionics or weapons capabilities require an Operational Flight Program (OFP) software update to fully employ the capability. OFP updates are directly linked to ACC prioritized capability needs which are continuously assessed and updated. OFP's agile development framework provides the ability to quickly change capability development focus to meet the time-based need to mitigate and defeat emerging threats. The OFP agile development framework integrates and deploys new capabilities on an annual basis to incorporate new technology/equipment or improvements for support equipment, mission planning systems, and training device upgrades which enhance performance, supportability, and aircrew training. Funds may be used to resolve issues among the F-15 fleet (e.g., emerging safety of flight issues and diminishing manufacturing sources), to accommodate technology insertion, and to fulfill Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other mandates necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. This includes technical and acquisition-related studies to ensure F-15 lethality and survivability beyond 2040. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2024 1.794M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 1.095M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 request was reduced by 0.555 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative.” This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (6)