Boeing

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), with assistance from the U.S. Air Force and Boeing, has concluded its rigorous flight evaluation of the F-15E Strike Eagle.

Boeing has proposed the F-15K, a variant of the Strike Eagle, for South Korea's FX fighter aircraft competition.

During the past two weeks, ROKAF, U.S. Air Force and Boeing personnel supported 16 evaluation flights at Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base. The U.S. Air Force's 90th Fighter Squadron demonstrated the F-15E's air-to-air and air-to-ground mission performance and advanced handling characteristics during night as well as daylight flights.

"We expected the flights would clearly show the F-15E's capabilities and potential," said Boeing F-15 Vice President Joe Hoerter. "Thanks to the preparation and professionalism of the ROKAF evaluators and tremendous support from Air Force personnel as well as the Boeing industry team, expectations were exceeded."

The F-15K will incorporate many improvements, including the APG-63(v)1 radar, the newest operational fighter radar, which brings improved capabilities to its APG-70 predecessor. It also will incorporate the latest in cockpit displays, navigation, early warning and other systems.

Like the F-15E, the F-15K can carry a large array of air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons. The F-15K also will share the F-15E's ability to perform low-altitude precision-strike missions in virtually any weather. Boeing assembles the F-15 in St. Louis. It has delivered 226 F-15Es to the U.S. Air Force and expects to deliver at least 10 more by 2004.

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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