| | Thursday September 9, 2010 |
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| Boeing pulls tarp off stealthier fighter plane |
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Boeing Co. aims to boost international fighter-jet sales with a new, stealthier version of its workhorse F-15E Strike Eagle. 19-03-2009 - Chicago -- In production since 1972, the F-15 is the backbone of the U.S. Air Force tactical fleet. But it gradually will be replaced by next-generation combat aircraft, the F-22 and the Joint Strike Fighter.
Foreign sales are Boeing’s only hope for boosting sales of its fighter jet. The extremely stealthy F-22 is by law off limits to foreign customers and the JSF is a few years away from full-time production. Both are produced by Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp., but Boeing, as a major subcontractor, makes about a third of the F-22.
“There are a relatively small number of F-15 customers and sales campaigns, but given the high dollar value of each order, it’s in Boeing’s interest to keep the plane current,” said Richard Aboulafia, vice-president and aviation analyst at Teal Group Corp., a Virginia-based aerospace market research firm. “But the main selling point for the F-15 continues to be its large payload capability.”
Boeing is looking for an international partner to help pay for development and testing of new fuel tanks that allow weapons to be carried internally, making the aircraft less detectable on radar. New coatings and other techniques also will help make the plane, to be redubbed the F-15 Silent Eagle, more stealthy.
“The F-15 Silent Eagle is designed to meet our international customers’ anticipated need for cost-effective stealth technologies, as well as for large and diverse weapons payloads,” Mark Bass, F-15 program vice-president for Boeing, said in a statement. “The innovative Silent Eagle is a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs.”
Boeing has made more than 1,500 F-15 aircraft, according to the company’s Web site. Production is currently under way for South Korea and Singapore, and Boeing also has sold the F-15 to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
“Japan represents a key potential market,” added Mr. Aboulafia, “but three other current users — South Korea, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia — might be interested in follow-on buys for the new version.”
Boeing plans to a flight-test, including a live missile launch, of a prototype in a year, the company said.
Source: www.chicagobusiness.com
Photo: Boeing
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