Boeing Fighters Heavily Represented at Asian Aerospace

F-15

Boeing fighters are heavily represented at this year's show, with no fewer than four F-15 Eagles -- two F-15Cs and two F-15Es -- and a pair of the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

Boeing, with heavy U.S. government support, is pitching the Eagle for South Korea's controversial and politically charged F-X contest. The version proposed for Korea is the F-15K, an updated version of the F-15E. It includes a new mission computer based on commercial off-the-shelf technology, developed under the Boeing Phantom Works' "Bold Stroke" architecture.

The F-15K has the Raytheon APG-63(V)1 radar, which despite its designation is more modern than the APG-70 fitted to USAF F-15Es. Boeing has also been cleared to offer the APG-63(V)2, the only operational fighter radar with an active electronically scanned array, or AESA. The (V)2 is in service on a small number of F-15Cs in Alaska. Other new features include an improved version of the ALQ-135 electronic warfare system.

Boeing says the F-15 could be a candidate in other nations, including Singapore. For the time being, however, the fighter's future appears to be linked to its success in Korea.

The first operational Navy squadrons are now working up with the Super Hornet, which is making its Asian Aerospace debut, and the type should become operational this year. Boeing is offering export customers a Super Hornet configuration similar to aircraft that will be delivered to the US Navy from 2006-07.

The upgraded Super Hornet will have the Raytheon APG-79 AESA radar, an improved electronic warfare system and the Raytheon Advanced Targeting FLIR pod. Two-seaters-comprising the majority of later U.S. Navy deliveries-will have a new rear cockpit with a large-format, high-resolution tactical display.

By Bill Sweetman