He F-15 Eagle It made its first flight in 1972 and entered service four years later. Despite being developed during the Vietnam War, it remains one of the most successful modern fighters, with more than 100 victories in aerial combat and without a single loss. Recently, the United States Air Force completed the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) of the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Alert Survival System (EPAWSS), validating the potential capabilities that this advanced BAE Systems contributes to the F-15.
He EPAWSS provides critical electronic warfare (EW) capabilities for aircraft F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II. This system provides instantaneous full-spectrum EW capabilities, including radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness and self-protection, enabling greater freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into airspace defended by modern integrated air defense systems.
“He EPAWSS was designed to be upgradable and quickly insert new capabilities,” said Amy Nesbitt, EPAWSS program manager at BAE Systems. “We are using agile software development to provide iterative updates to deployed EW systems, enabling our customers to defeat future electromagnetic threats.”
EPAWSS System: Innovation in electronic warfare for the F-15
He EPAWSS has been in development for over a decade. Initially, it was developed as a central component of the F-15EXbut will also be equipped in dozens of F-15E. According to Major Bryant “Jager” Baum, director of testing for the EPAWSS for the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), “he EPAWSS is a leap in technology that improves the lethality and combat capabilities of the F-15E and the F-15EX in contested and degraded environments against advanced threats.”
The fiscal 2025 budget documents of the United States Air Force show that the acquisition of the program will conclude in 2029, after an investment of 1.8 billion dollars, according to the magazine Air & Space Forces Magazine. BAE Systems worked closely with Boeing—the current manufacturer of the F-15EX Eagle II-and the United States Air Force. The initial phase of operational testing of the EPAWSS began in July 2023, being deployed during large force exercise Northern Edge 2023 (NE23) aboard two new F-15EX Eagle II. Initial low-rate production of the system began in July 2022.
“Our close collaboration with the United States Air Force allows us to mature the cognitive processing capabilities of the EPAWSS”said Chip Mosle, program director at BAE Systems. “By incrementally testing and deploying cognitive EW solutions on proven systems like the EPAWSSwe are enabling tactical superiority across the spectrum against advanced threats that are unpredictable, evolving and adaptive.”
NE23 Testing: Challenges and Results of the EPAWSS System
The event NE23 tested the ability of EPAWSS to quickly respond to previously unencountered electromagnetic threats. The tests challenged the system’s ability to process data from sensors on mission, create sophisticated techniques and optimize waveforms in real time, he explained. BAE Systems. Furthermore, the environment of NE23 challenged the system to execute these tasks in a dense and unpredictable theater exercise-level electromagnetic spectrum.
The capabilities added to the aircraft with the EPAWSS have led to Boeing to describe the F-15EX as a “generation 4.5” fighter. According to a report by Flight Globalthe aerospace firm has delivered six test variants of the F-15EX to the United States Air Force, with the first two combat-configured aircraft nearly completed. The air service will deliver the first F-15EX of combat to the 123rd Fighter Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard this summer.
Future of the F-15 Eagle with the EPAWSS System
The integration of EPAWSS in the F-15E and F-15EX underlines the continued commitment of the United States Air Force with the modernization of its fighter fleet. As the threat environment evolves, the ability of fighters to adapt and overcome new challenges becomes crucial.
With the EPAWSShe F-15 Not only does it stay relevant, but it also sets a new standard in electronic warfare capabilities for the fighter community. The collaboration between BAE Systems, Boeing and the United States Air Force ensures the system continues to evolve and improve, giving pilots a decisive advantage on the battlefield.
The future of F-15 with the EPAWSS looks promising, as both represent a formidable combination of firepower and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. As more tests are completed and more units are deployed, the fleet of F-15 will be better equipped to confront emerging threats on the modern battlefield.
