$4.5 Billion Upgrade Includes New AESA Radar and EW Suite

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on 29 October of a possible $4.5 billion (€4 billion) Foreign Military Sale to Japan for the upgrade of up to 98 F-15J aircraft to a Japanese Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration.

The Japanese government’s request calls for 103 APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars (includes five spares); 116 Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II) mission system computers (includes 18 spares); and 101 ALQ-239 Digital Electronic Warfare Systems (DEWS) (includes 3 spares). Also included in the request are the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) with software, training and support; Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM); ARC-210 radio, aircraft and munition integration and test support; ground training devices (including flight and maintenance simulators); support and test equipment; software delivery and support; spare and repair parts; communications equipment; facilities and construction support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; US government and contractor engineering; technical and logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and programme support.

The agency stated that this proposed sale will provide Japan with a critical air defence capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland and US personnel stationed there. Modernised F-15J assets will better enable Japan to respond to airborne threats and defend its airspace. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces. Prime contractor for the programme will be Boeing, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries taking the lead in some aspects of the integration, engineering and support efforts.