Israel requests extra squadron of F-15s

02 NOVEMBER, 2015 BY: ARIE EGOZI TEL AVIV

An additional squadron of advanced Boeing F-15s has been revealed as one of the elements of a so-called "compensation package" requested by Israel in exchange for the US government backing a lifting of sanctions against Iran.

Israeli sources confirm that details of the request were agreed during a recent meeting between the defence ministers of the USA and Israel in Washington DC. This included the Israeli air force expressing its operational need for another squadron of F-15s, to ensure that the type can remain the "backbone" of its capabilities.



While details of the F-15 request have not been released, the sources say that it involves the latest Silent Eagle-standard aircraft, which would also be equipped with Israeli-developed systems. Enhancements introduced with the advanced strike asset include the ability to carry an increased number of air-launched weapons and the addition of conformal fuel tanks for extended-range performance.

Flightglobal's Fleets Analyzer database records the Israeli air force as operating 25 F-15Is – the youngest of which are 16 years old – and a combined 58 older F-15A/Cs.

Israel's "compensation package" has taken shape since an international agreement was reached in Vienna on 14 July, which will remove sanctions in exchange for Iran halting its nuclear activities. The Israeli government opposes the agreement, claiming that it will not stop Tehran from achieving its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Other systems being requested by Israel in order to maintain its operational edge include Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotors, Boeing KC-46A tankers, additional Lockheed Martin F-35s and bunker-busting bombs that have until now not been exported by the USA.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...-f-15s-418487/

Stealthy F-15 Silent Eagle May Get A Reprieve As Israel Requests More Eagles

Tyler Rogoway Filed to: EAGLES11/02/15 9:15pm



A report from Flightglobal.com states that Israel is requesting a batch of F-15s as part of a compensation program for the U.S. making a deal with Iran over its nuclear program. According to the report, not just any F-15 was requested, but the F-15SE Silent Eagle.



The F-15SE was Boeing’s attempt to compete internationally with the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, especially for major purchasing competitions like those recently held in Korea and Japan, both of which are F-15 users. These users ended up selecting the F-35, and Israel also opted for the F-35 even though they are among the most prevalent F-15 operators in the world.

The F-15SE concept included conforming internal weapons bays, V-shaped tails, radar baffles over its engine-fan faces, radar absorbent coatings, along with other enhancements used to lower the jet’s radar signature, especially from the forward hemisphere. It also would feature many of the options found on the latest F-15 Strike Eagle derivatives today, including fly-by-wire controls, a wide-screen cockpit, updated electronic warfare and radar warning systems, an infrared search and track system (IRST) and the most powerful fighter-based AESA radar in the world.

The idea was that an F-15SE could be outfitted in a stealthy configuration with conforming weapons bays for “first days of war” operations. Once the enemy’s air defense have been degraded, the jet can be quickly reconfigured to the hard-hitting enhanced Strike Eagle configuration with many external stores configurations. This flexibility is an enticing capability mix for what is already a highly proven and low-risk platform.



If this report is correct, and Israel wants more Eagles to join their 25 F-15Is and mix of earlier F-15A/B/C/Ds, many of which have been converted into multi-role fighters are quite old, it could be great news for Boeing’s St. Louis plant.

Currently, there are no F-15 orders after the Saudi Arabian F-15SA order is fulfilled in 2019, and future Super Hornet orders also remain an unsure thing at this point. With the recent loss of the Long Range Strike Bomber contract to Northrop, and the fact that T-X competition for a new Air Force jet trainer remains highly competitive, Boeing is facing slim pickings when it comes to its tactical military aircraft production outfit. Boeing has recently pitched a new upgrade path for existing Eagles, but producing upgrade kits is not the same as keeping an aircraft in production.

Not only does extending the production time of a fighter open up new possibilities for more sales, but if the Silent Eagle really is the aircraft Israel wants, and gets, its capabilities can be showcased in a real-world environment. Seeing the F-15SE in action could lead to other air-arms’ interest in the type. This is especially true if Israel’s order pays for the sub-type’s development costs.

Also on Israel’s wish list via a multi-year U.S. foreign aid program are V-22 Ospreys, KC-46 tankers, additional F-35s and bunker buster bombs that are currently not available for export.Offering more F-35s would fit the Obama’s Administration dedication to the type as a synergistic foreign policy tool, but it would also mean giving Israel an even greater military edge in the region.

Additionally, an F-15 can be tailored to support Israel’s current air combat fleet, whereas the F-35 can be tailored to a far smaller degree. With this in mind, new F-15s may be more necessary for the IAF to work as force multipliers for its larger F-16 fleet than just procuring more F-35s.

Even if this report is wrong, and Israel is actually looking for more Eagles based on the newest non-stealthy Strike Eagle derivative option, and they get them, it would mean the F-15 production line lives to fight on into the 2020s. Considering that would mean surviving through yet another Presidential election cycle, it could be a very good thing for Boeing.

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/f-1...sts-1740179374

Boeing's Stealthy F-15 "Silent Eagle" May Fly After All
Israel shows a sudden interest in the "Silent Eagle"

By Kyle Mizokami Nov 3, 2015 @ 5:52 PM



In 2009, Boeing had an idea. Instead of developing an entirely new fighter for a market already dominated by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, it would update an already existing fighter with the latest in technology. Even better, it would be low observable—a step below stealthy planes such the F-35 and F-22 Raptor.

The result: the Silent Eagle. Based on the F-15E Strike Eagle, Silent Eagle would be an affordable alternative to the F-35. It would be an attractive option to countries such as Japan, Israel and South Korea, countries that already had F-15s and wanted a long-range, multi-role, stealthy fighter.

The one probably? Nobody bought it, and the Silent Eagle program was put in limbo in 2014.

Earlier this year Iran and the West came to an agreement on limiting Iran's nuclear program. Under the terms of the agreement Iran agreed to dismantle most of its nuclear program in return for a lifting of economic sanctions. Israel, which has an, uh, contentious relationship with Iran, is now pushing for a list of weapons it wants as insurance in case the deal fails.

The standout on the list? A squadron of Silent Eagles.

The original F-15 Eagle was originally designed purely as an air-superiority fighter. The slogan during the F-15's development was "Not A Pound for Air-to-Ground," and it worked; until the development of the F-22 Raptor, the F-15 was the best dogfighter in the world. But the Eagle's large, beefy frame, two seater capability, and powerful engines made a multi-role version of the F-15 an attractive prospect, and the F-15E "Strike Eagle" was born.

Silent Eagle is a Strike Eagle given the stealth treatment. The aircraft has a Radar Cross Section Reduction Package, which includes radar-absorbent materials, form-fitting fuel tanks, and vertical stabilizers at a radar-reducing 15 degree cant.

Silent Eagle even has a pair of internal weapons bays built into the fuselage to hide Sidewinder and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, JDAM satellite guided bombs, and Small Diameter Bombs. The lack of missiles and drop tanks hanging off the wings and fuselage improves the aircraft's radar-cross section.

Silent Eagle also features plenty of non-stealth upgrades including a powerful Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, an infrared search and track capability for air-to-ground and air-to-air combat, and an updated electronic warfare suite. Boeing touts Silent Eagle's greater situational awareness, faster jamming, and accurate threat location.

Israel wants Silent Eagles because the jets are capable of striking targets at longer ranges than the F-35 and still incorporate a measure of stealth. For Isreal, the Silent Eagle is essentially insurance for if the worst happens and the Iran deal does fall through— if Israel eventually has to launch air strikes, a Silent Eagle-type platform will be essential for dealing with Iran's air defenses.

If the U.S. government does accede to Israel's request, this could spark new interest in the Silent Eagle. South Korea could select Silent Eagle if its efforts to build its first fighter, KF-X, fall through. Japan is under increased pressure from China. Even Canada, which has vowed to scrap its F-35 purchase, could show interest.

And so, after years of being left for dead, there's suddenly there's a pretty good chance the Silent Eagle will fly back out from the graveyard of aviation.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/mili...-eagle-israel/