The USAF has around 500 F-15s; active-duty
units operate F-15C/Ds while the Air National Guard squadrons are equipped largely with
older F-15A/Bs.
The
Multi-Stage Improvement II upgrade for F-15C/Ds adds APG-70 radar,
AIM-120 AMRAAM capability, improved electronic counter measures equipment and the
joint tactical information
datalink system. The F-15A/Bs are gaining elements of the
Multi-Stage Improvement II, as well as improved Dash 220E engines.
Their radars are being upgraded to APG-63(V)1 standard that
incorporates features of the APG-70. Due to its capabilities the
F-15 has only been exported to its most trusted allies. Israel has three units that are all
based at Tel Nof; one unit operates the 13 ex-USAF F-15A/Bs
delivered to Israel after Desert Storm. Saudi Arabia received 96
F-15C/Ds and equip five squadrons. It is likely that F-15s serving
with Israel and Saudi Arabia will receive all or elements of the
Multi-Stage Improvement II upgrade.
Delivered from 1979 to 1996, the
Japan Air Self-Defence Force procured a
total of 163 F-15Js and 50 F-15DJs, all but 16 of which were
manufactured under licence by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The
F-15J/DJs are almost identical to USAF's F-15C/Ds, but lack the US
tactical electronic warfare system and are therefore fitted with
indigenous electronic warfare equipment. Japanese F-15 improvements include a radar
and central computer upgrade, to a standard comparable to the USAF's
Multi-Stage Improveent II F-15s. Other elements include upgraded
electronic counter measures systems along
with new forward-looking infra-red and infra-red search and track systems. With these modifications, the F-15J
will have the capability to carry fire-and-forget beyond visible
range air-to-air missiles and
possess much more resistance to any future electronic warfare threat. Production
modifications are targeted for FY04, and about 100 F-15Js are
planned to be covered by the upgrade. The F-15J/DJs primarily equip
eight fighter intercept squadrons - a seven F-15DJs also serve with
an aggressor unit.
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