Boeing

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and The Boeing Company have begun flight evaluations of the F-15E Strike Eagle, a version of which Boeing is proposing for South Korea's FX fighter aircraft competition.

ROKAF, U.S. Air Force and Boeing personnel are supporting 14 evaluation flights scheduled to occur at Elmendorf Air Force Base by Oct. 13. Boeing has leased three U.S. Air Force F-15Es for the flights.

"By the end of the evaluation, the ROKAF will be very familiar with the outstanding performance capabilities and future growth potential of the F-15E, a combat-validated weapon system with a proven safety record," said Boeing F-15 Vice President Joe Hoerter. "The F-15K we're proposing is a further enhancement of the F-15Es we are delivering to the U.S. Air Force and will provide the Republic of Korea with a world-class multi-role capability for its future defense needs."

During the flights, ROKAF personnel will fly with members of the U.S. Air Force's 90th Fighter Squadron, known as "The Dicemen." The Dicemen will demonstrate the features that make the F-15E the most advanced multi-role fighter in the world.

Boeing is proposing the F-15K, the newest version of the F-15E, in the FX fighter competition. The K model will incorporate many improvements including the world's newest operational fighter radar, the APG-63 (v) 1, which expands the capabilities of the earlier APG-70 radar. The F-15K also incorporates the latest technology in cockpit displays, navigation, and early warning and other systems.

The F-15K can carry an array of air-to-ground weapons, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition and the AGM-130, as well as air-to-air weapons.

The aircraft's two-man crew and advanced avionics make the F-15E the U.S. Air Force weapon of choice for safe, low-altitude precision-strike missions.

Boeing assembles the F-15 in St. Louis. It has delivered to the U.S. Air Force 226 F-15Es and expects to deliver at least 10 additional U.S. Air Force F-15Es by 2004.

Overall, the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard operate more than 1,100 F-15s. Current international customers include Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

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