Boeing Wins $471M to Develop New Systems for Japan’s F-15 Fleet

The Pentagon announced a contract valued $471 million to Boeing for the development of new systems for Japan’s fleet of upgraded F-15 Eagle Super Interceptors.

“The contract action provides for the design and development of an integrated suite of aircraft systems to support modification of the Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15MJ aircraft and the development, test, and delivery of four Weapon System Trainers,” reads a Pentagon release.

Work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2028.

Seventy fighters will receive extensive upgrades under Japan’s Super Interceptor programme. Earlier, Japan planned to upgrade 98 airframes. It was dropped to save costs. Also cut was a plan to integrate AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) with the upgraded F-15. Tokyo is developing an anti-ship variant of the Mitsubishi ASM-3 air-to-air missile. It could arm the upgraded F-15s with these.

Lockheed Martin won a similar contract recently. The company will conduct F-35 work for an unnamed foreign customer.