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Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle

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F-15SE Silent Eagle
File:Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle-topshot.jpg
A F-15SE mockup
Role Multi-role fighter
Manufacturer Boeing IDS
First flight 8 July 2010[1]
Status In development
Number built 1[1]
Developed from F-15E Strike Eagle

The Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle is a proposed upgrade of the F-15E by Boeing using stealth features, such as internal weapons carriage and radar-absorbent material.[2]

Design and development

A demonstration version of the F-15SE was first displayed by Boeing on 17 March 2009. The F-15SE will use fifth generation fighter technologies to reduce its radar cross-section (RCS). Distinguishing features of this version are the Conformal Weapons Bays (CWB) that replace the Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) to hold weapons internally and the twin vertical tails canted outward 15 degrees to reduce radar cross section. Weapons storage takes the place of most of each CWB fuel capacity. This variant will also have radar absorbing material where needed. The Silent Eagle is aimed at current F-15 users such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea, among others.[2][3][4]

The F-15SE is to have the level of stealth allowed for export by the US government.[5] Boeing has admitted that this stealth will only be in the range of fifth generation aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II from the frontal aspect.[6] The F-15SE will have a Raytheon AESA radar, and a new electronic warfare system from BAE Systems.[7] This stealth will be optimized for air to air missions (against X-band radars) and much less effective against ground based radars (which use other frequencies).[8]

In March 2009, Boeing formally launched the F-15 Silent Eagle and began to offer it for international sales. The aircraft is capable of carrying both internal weapons and external weapons mounted on hardpoints under each wing. The F-15SE's lower cost compared to fifth generation fighters is intended to aid the aircraft's appeal to the export market. The aircraft would require export licenses similar to the F-35.[9][7]

Unit cost has been estimated by Boeing at approximately US$100 million, including spares and support.[9] The company has been seeking other companies to be risk sharing partners to reduce its development costs.[10] Studies of different possible levels of reduction in radar cross-section (RCS) are underway.[11] In June 2009, Boeing stated it planned for a demonstration flight of the Silent Eagle in the third quarter 2010.[12]

During August and September 2009, Boeing performed radar cross section testing on an F-15E with different radar absorbent coatings to select a coating for the Silent Eagle.[13] In September 2009, Saudi Arabia was reported to be considering the purchase of up to 72 F-15 strike aircraft.[14] Although the exact variant is unspecified, they are reported to be interested in the Silent Eagle.[15]

Although Boeing has been in tentative talks with South Korea since 2009 regarding the purchase of the Silent Eagle, it is unable to market the aircraft to international customers until it receives an export license from the United States government.[16] The company filed for an export license in early 2010,[17] and received it in July 2010.[18] Diplomatic Sources reported that on 6 July 2010, in a face to face meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Obama to expedite the export of the "stealth F-15E" but received no reply.[19]

The first production F-15E (86-0183) was modified to the F-15E1 configuration to serve as a Silent Eagle demonstrator. It first flew on 8 July 2010 with a left-side Conformal Weapons Bay[18][1] and on 20 July 2010 launched an AMRAAM from the CWB.[20]

Specifications

Basic specifications listed are for F-15E Strike Eagle, which the F-15SE is based.

Data from USAF F-15E fact sheet,[21] Davies,[22] and Boeing Silent Eagle[23]

General characteristics

Performance Armament

  • 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan gatling gun with 510 rounds of ammunition
  • Four internal hardpoints in Conformal Weapons Bays for low-observable capability, Or
  • External load the same as Strike Eagle's with standard CFTs, including targeting pods and additional external fuel tanks.[24]

Avionics

  • APG-82 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar
  • BAE Systems Digital Electronic warfare system (DEWS)
  • Digital “Fly-by-Wire” Flight Control System (DFCS)
  • Lockheed Martin Sniper advanced electro-optical targeting system and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system
  • Link-16 fighter data link

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b c Carder, Phillip and Mary Ann Brett. "Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Makes 1st Flight." Boeing, 9 July 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b Butler, Amy. "Boeing Unveils New Stealthy F-15." Aviation Week, 17 March 2009.
  3. ^ Frost, Patricia, Damien Mills and Paul Lewis. "Boeing Unveils New International F-15 Configuration: The F-15SE." Boeing, 17 March 2009.
  4. ^ Lake, Jon. "Boeing Unveils Stealthy Eagle Variant." Air International, Volume 76, Issue 5, May 2009.
  5. ^ "Clarification." Air Force magazine, 23 March 2009.
  6. ^ Jones, Brad, Project Manager. "F-15 Future Fighters." Boeing, 16 March 2009 Briefing, p. 19. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
  7. ^ a b Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing unveils upgraded F-15 Silent Eagle with fifth-generation features." Flight International, 17 March 2009.
  8. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing unveils upgraded F-15 Silent Eagle with fifth-generation features." flightglobal.com, 17 March 2009.
  9. ^ a b Butler, Amy. "Stealthy F-15 Could Enliven St. Louis Facility." Aviation Week, 20 March 2009.
  10. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing eyes risk-sharing, lower costs for $100 million F-15SE." Flight International, 4 June 2009.
  11. ^ Warwick, Graham. "Boeing Studies Stealth Eagle Options." Aviation Week, 11 June 2009.
  12. ^ Mills, Damien. "Boeing Committed to Funding F-15 Silent Eagle Development." Boeing, 17 June 2009.
  13. ^ Butler, Amy. "Boeing Looks To First Silent Eagle Flight." Aviation Week, 17 January 2010.
  14. ^ Barrie, Douglas. "U.S., Saudis Deal For Additional Eagles." Aviation Week, 10 September 2009.
  15. ^ Grant, Greg. "Saudis Eye Buying 72 F-15s." dodbuzz.com, 8 September 2009. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
  16. ^ Reed, John. "Boeing Anticipates Approval To Export F-15 Silent Eagle." Defense News, 7 July 2010.
  17. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing applies to export F-15SE to South Korea." Flightglobal, 25 June 2010. Retrieved: 26 June 2010.
  18. ^ a b Trimble, Stephen. "F-15 Silent Eagle scores two firsts with export license, flight test." Flight International, 9 July 2010.
  19. ^ "Obama rejected Netanyahu request for F-15E in 'tough' session." worldtribune.com, 12 July 2010.
  20. ^ Carder, Phillip and Mary Ann Brett. "Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle Demonstrator Completes 1st Weapon Launch." Boeing, 20 July 2010. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
  21. ^ "F-15E Strike Eagle fact sheet." United States Air Force, October 2007.
  22. ^ Davies, Steve. Combat Legend, F-15 Eagle and Strike Eagle, Appendix 1. London: Airlife Publishing, Ltd., 2002. ISBN 1-84037-377-6.
  23. ^ "F-15SE Backgrounder." boeing.com, June 2010.
  24. ^ "Defense Update on Silent Eagle." defense-update.com. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.
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