U.S.A.F. Receives First EPAWSS Electronic Warfare System-equipped F-15E Fighter

The U.S. Air Force has received its first F-15E Strike Eagle equipped with the Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) Electronic Warfare (EW) suite.

The 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in England is the first to receive the advanced system, which replaces older Cold War-era technology.

EPAWSS enables the F-15E to autonomously detect, identify, and respond to emerging threats. The system enhances pilot situational awareness, allowing the aircraft to operate in high-threat environments by denying, degrading, and disrupting adversary systems. The integration of EPAWSS is part of the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to modernize its fourth-generation fighter fleet.

The delivery follows 11 years of collaboration between the U.S. government and industry partners, including BAE Systems and Boeing. The system’s architecture supports future updates, ensuring continued advancements through software improvements.

EPAWSS, which also supports the F-15EX Eagle II, is designed to provide instantaneous full-spectrum EW capabilities. These capabilities include radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection, enhancing maneuverability and enabling deeper penetration into adversary air defenses.

In April 2024, BAE Systems confirmed that the initial operational test and evaluation phase of EPAWSS was complete, paving the way for full-rate production. BAE has also incorporated artificial intelligence to drive cognitive electronic warfare, tested during the Northern Edge 2023 exercise in Alaska, where F-15EX aircraft faced new electromagnetic threats.

On January 6, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a nearly $616 million contract for full-rate production of EPAWSS, with delivery expected by 2030. The contract includes procurement of 45 EPAWSS production kits and supporting materials for both the F-15E and F-15EX jets.