The Air Force cleared the F-15E Strike Eagle’s radar modernization program to enter low-rate initial production starting next month, announced Boeing. “The RMP is the latest modification under way for the F-15E,” said Karen Butler, Boeing’s program manager. “It will ensure the F-15E has the capability and performance the US Air Force requires to achieve total air-to-air and air-to-ground dominance in the future.” Under the project, Boeing is installing the Raytheon-supplied APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array radar on the Strike Eagle fleet, replacing the aircraft’s existing APG-70 mechanically steered radar. This AESA borrows significantly from systems developed for the F-18E/F and F-15C, thereby reducing overall cost and integration risk, according to Boeing. The radar is currently in flight testing at Eglin AFB, Fla., Holloman AFB, N.M., and Nellis AFB, Nev. The Air Force has laid out plans to complete the fleet-wide upgrade by 2022.
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…