According to Deb Rub, VP/GM Boeing Global Strike, the Advanced Super HORNET and Advanced F-15 are receiving new sensors and IRST. The Advanced F-15 is also receiving digital helmet mounting cueing, and a breath of capabilities on all on a proven platform, thereby extending the F15 life until 2050.
Rub sees an additional 15 GROWLERs, 12 Super HORNETs, and near term international orders for Super HORNETs (retrofittable to Advanced Super HORNETs) to take the production line into next decade (the US Navy intents to fly HORNETs until 2040); while the F-15 will be in production until late 2018, with needs being there for this aircraft (according to Deb Rub this includes Asia-Pacific and the Middle East).
Boeing partners with Raytheon for the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for both aircraft; sharing 90% technology communality of hardware. While new radar technology is not planned; new capabilities with a roadmap with synergies are being looked into. According to Boeing, "the AESA Radar is the most advanced tactical radar in operation today. AESA Radars are built with modular hardware components that can be independently and incrementally upgraded based on specific customer needs. In addition, the services' roadmaps include incremental releases of new software. This approach constantly improves on the AESA radars' technology and maintains the effectiveness of fielded AESA radars, ensuring customers have the right capability at the right time and at the right price."
Rub sees an additional 15 GROWLERs, 12 Super HORNETs, and near term international orders for Super HORNETs (retrofittable to Advanced Super HORNETs) to take the production line into next decade (the US Navy intents to fly HORNETs until 2040); while the F-15 will be in production until late 2018, with needs being there for this aircraft (according to Deb Rub this includes Asia-Pacific and the Middle East).
Boeing partners with Raytheon for the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for both aircraft; sharing 90% technology communality of hardware. While new radar technology is not planned; new capabilities with a roadmap with synergies are being looked into. According to Boeing, "the AESA Radar is the most advanced tactical radar in operation today. AESA Radars are built with modular hardware components that can be independently and incrementally upgraded based on specific customer needs. In addition, the services' roadmaps include incremental releases of new software. This approach constantly improves on the AESA radars' technology and maintains the effectiveness of fielded AESA radars, ensuring customers have the right capability at the right time and at the right price."