Saudi’s New F-15SA To Have Next-Gen Missiles, EW Systems

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken delivery of the first Boeing F-15SA fighter aircraft, the newest variant of the combat-proven F-15 which provides improved performance and increased survivability at a lower life-cycle cost.

The Saudi Air Force will receive a total of 84 F-15 aircraft by 2015. Officials said the F-15 for Saudi Arabia included a range of enhancements. They cited improved situational awareness, avionics, electronic warfare, infrared search and track and an active
electronically-scanned array radar. The prototype also contains two additional weapon stations for increased payload capacity.

Officials said Saudi Arabia would also receive latest-generation air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles as well as the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System. JHMCS has been developed for the U.S. Air Force by a subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems.

"We look forward to receiving the advanced capabilities of the F-15SA aircraft to continue to protect the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Lt. Gen. Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Ayeesh, commander, Royal Saudi Air Force. "Our relationship with the U.S. Air Force and The Boeing Company has helped to ensure the Royal Saudi Air Force remains among the best-equipped air forces in the world." 

Flight testing began this year on the F-15SA. The Royal Saudi Air Force has operated F-15S fighters since the 1990s. 

"The Kingdom and Boeing have been partners for 65 years and our partnership goes beyond the innovative products and services we provide," said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Defense, Space & Security president and CEO. "Equally as important are the excellent collaborations between Boeing and Saudi educational and industrial organizations." 

"The F-15SA will enhance the national security objectives of both the United States and the Kingdom with improved interoperability and common training and support well into the 21st century," said Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore, the U.S. Air Force's decision authority for the F-15SA program.