By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Contributor
In a recent Senate subcommittee meeting on April 9, Frank Kendall, the Department of the Air Force Secretary and the department’s top military officials expressed their concerns about the United States’ ability to modernize and compete effectively against China amidst ongoing budget delays.
But the good news is that the U.S. Air Force is set to receive a new F-15E jet equipped with fresh electronic warfare technology in the summer of 2024. This development comes at a time when the United States is facing growing threats from both Russia and China, making the need for advanced electronic warfare capabilities more pressing than ever.
Maj. Alli Stormer, an Air Force spokesperson, mentioned that eight Boeing-manufactured F-15E fighter jets are undergoing modifications at the company’s San Antonio, Texas facility.
New F-15E Electronic Warfare
The modifications involve the integration of the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), which enhances the F-15’s geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection capabilities. The EPAWSS is designed for future upgradability, reducing lifecycle costs through improved reliability, maintainability, and an extended service life.
The Pentagon expects the new F-15EX to cost about $90 million per copy. This is slightly higher than the expected cost of the F-35, which is projected to be about $80 million in 2020. However, the F-15E’s upgrade with EPAWSS represents a major advancement in electronic warfare capabilities, potentially offering a significant edge in future conflicts.
The F-15E jet is a versatile and powerful aircraft that has been in service with the U.S. Air Force since the 1980s. It is known for its long-range strike capabilities, making it ideal for electronic warfare missions. The new F-15E jet will be equipped with the latest electronic warfare technology, which will enable it to counter emerging threats in the electromagnetic spectrum.
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This electronic warfare system on the F-15E jet will be designed to detect, analyze, and neutralize enemy electronic signals, such as radar, communications, and navigation systems. As such, it will allow the aircraft to disrupt enemy command and control systems and protect friendly forces from enemy electronic attacks. The new electronic warfare technology will also enhance the F-15E’s ability to operate in contested environments, where enemy electronic warfare systems are prevalent.
The new EW suite for the F-15E is rumored to incorporate advanced signal processing, improved frequency agility, and greater resistance to jamming techniques. These enhancements aim to ensure superior situational awareness and survivability in hostile environments, allowing the jet to detect, deceive, and disrupt enemy radar and communication systems more effectively than ever before.
With these advancements, the F-15E’s role within the USAF could shift subtly from purely strike operations to more complex, multi-domain missions involving electronic attack (EA) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). These missions are crucial for gaining and maintaining air superiority in the initial phases of conflict, especially against adversaries with well-developed surface-to-air missile systems and robust defensive electronic infrastructures.
Compared to other platforms like the newer F-35 Lightning II, the F-15E’s latest upgrades do not transform it into a stealth aircraft but instead complement its existing strengths with enhanced EW capabilities. According to a recent Pentagon assessment, while the F-35 integrates stealth and advanced sensors for a first-strike advantage, the upgraded F-15E will serve as a critical backbone for sustained air operations, providing cover and electronic warfare support that enhances the survivability and effectiveness of stealthier frames in high-threat scenarios.
The U.S. military has been investing in advanced electronic warfare capabilities to counter the growing threat from both Russia and China. For instance, the U.S. Navy has been developing the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) system, designed to counter enemy electronic warfare systems on ships, submarines, and aircraft. The Air Force, on the other hand, has been focusing on developing advanced electronic warfare systems for its aircraft, such as this F-15E jet.
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a researcher, writer and analyst who has written many published nonfiction books
