F-15 Modernization
F-15 Modernization development efforts continue advancing the F-15E and F-15EX weapon system IAW the National Defense Strategy (NDS), ensuring the fleet will meet urgent and future capability needs, as well as compliment 5th and 6th-generation platforms by bringing substantial longe range fire, sensor, electronic warfare (EW) and beyond line of sight capabilities underpinning the Longe Range Kill Chain. The programs below provide the F-15E/EX fleet with electronic protection (EP) and electronic attack (EA) improvements, defensive and offensive capabilities for advanced standoff, threat and vulnerability mitigation, continued nuclear mission certification, integration of new and upgraded weapons, and improvements in long range and beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications. Operational Flight Program (OFP) funding provides ongoing software and hardware upgrades needed to meet and defeat emergent threats; integrate and fully exploit new and evolving weapons, offensive and defensive avionics and sensor capabilities, support continued nuclear certification and to continually innovate and improve integration of aircraft subsystems. Funds also provide for resolution of emergent safety of flight issues, training system updates, and compliance with Federal, Department of Defense, or Air Force mandates that are necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. Funds may also help resolve diminishing manufacturing sources issues and improvements within F-15 Mission Planning. The OFP program uses a Continuous Development and Integration (CD&I) framework to deliver annual software OFP releases developed via agile development principals. This approach has demonstrated the ability to combat the speed of adversary technology evolution ensuring the F-15 maintains a competitive advantage. At any one time there are up to three OFP upgrades in work: one in requirements definition, one in code development, and one in flight test and release preparation. Flight Test funding supports ongoing F-15 Modernization by providing baseline infrastructure and personnel support for developmental test (DT) and operational test (OT) operations. In FY 2026, the Flight Test budget request includes funds for upgrading test jets to meet DT & OT requirements.
Funding continues OFP development efforts improving war-fighting capabilities for the F-15E and the added capabilities of the F-15EX fleet. Addresses emergent needs for Long Range Kill Chain and Collaborative Combat Aircraft missions. Integrates new or improved capabilities enhancing the F-15's ability to engage in highly contested…
Read the FY2027 plan →Continue development for test fleet upgrades to meet DT & OT requirements. FY 2027 Flight Test funding provides: contractor support cadre at Eglin and Nellis AFBs for DT/OT support, avionics integration, lab operations & maintenance, Combined Test Force operations & maintenance, and long-lead test-unique equipment (i.e., program specific…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Continue development of F-15 capability enhancements, weapons integration, and future capability development. Continues implementation of electronic protection (EP)/electronic attack (EA) into OFPs, in addition to Combat ID candidate, interoperability, and risk reduction activities for future OFP integration. Continues study efforts to ensure the F-15 radar maintains superiority over current threats.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to development and enhancement of warfighting capabilities and evolution of critical program protection elements to maintain a competitive advantage against emergent and near-peer threats.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue development of F-15 capability enhancements, weapons integration, and future capability development. Continues implementation of electronic protection (EP)/electronic attack (EA) into OFPs, in addition to Combat ID candidate, interoperability, and risk reduction activities for future OFP integration. Continues study efforts to ensure the F-15 radar maintains superiority over current threats.
Continue and expand software integration efforts with R-EGI prototypes in the system integration lab; maintain F-15 development baseline with R-EGI updates; expand testing and F-15-specific non-recurring engineering activities.
Read the FY2027 plan →Continue to develop and integrate single-band SATCOM apertures and terminals with aircraft systems and modify aircraft software (operational flight profile) to enable integration and sharing of data in accordance with DAF Battle Network architecture in an open architecture implementation. Conduct test & evaluation activities (systems…
Read the FY2027 plan →