Boeing successfully completed the first flight of the F-15QA fighter, the most advanced version of the jet ever manufactured. Developed for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), the jet demonstrated its next-generation capabilities during its 90-minute mission. The flight took off and landed from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis.
“We are very proud of this accomplishment and looking forward with great excitement to the continued successes of this program,” said Col. Ahmed Al Mansoori, commander, QEAF F-15 Wing. “This successful first flight is an important milestone that brings our squadrons one step closer to flying this incredible aircraft over the skies of Qatar.”
Boeing’s flight test team, led by Chief Test Pilot Matt Giese, implemented a precise mission checklist to test the multirole aircraft’s capabilities. The aircraft demonstrated its maneuverability during its vertical “Viking” takeoff and by pulling nine Gs, or nine times the force of earth’s gravity, in its subsequent maneuvering in the test airspace. Checks of systems such as avionics and radar were also successful. A test team monitoring the data in real time confirmed the aircraft performed as planned.
“This successful first flight is an important step in providing the QEAF an aircraft with best-in-class range and payload,” said Prat Kumar, Boeing vice president and F-15 program manager. “The advanced F-15QA not only offers game changing capabilities but is also built using advanced manufacturing processes which make the jet more efficient to manufacture. In the field, the F-15 costs half the cost per flight hour of similar fighter aircraft and delivers far more payload at far greater ranges. That’s success for the warfighter.”
The US Department of Defense awarded Boeing a $6.2 billion contract in 2017 to manufacture 36 F-15 fighter jets for the QEAF. Boeing will begin delivering aircraft to the customer in 2021. In addition, Boeing was awarded a U.S. Air Force foreign military sale contract in 2019 for F-15QA aircrew and maintenance training for the QEAF.
The F-15QA brings to its operators next-generation technologies such as fly-by-wire flight controls, digital cockpit; modernized sensors, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities; and the world’s fastest mission computer. Increases in reliability, sustainability and maintainability allow defense operators to affordably remain ahead of current and evolving threats.
Through investments in the F-15QA platform and partnership with the US Air Force, Boeing is now preparing to build a domestic variant of the advanced fighter, the F-15EX. F-15EX became a program of record for the Air Force when the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020 was signed on Dec. 30, 2019. In January, the Air Force issued public notifications of its intent to award sole-source a contract to Boeing for eight jets. Future plans call for as many as 144 aircraft.
VARD, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group based in Norway, secured a contract to construct two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels…
Leonardo announced the finalization of an agreement to sell its Underwater Armaments Systems (UAS) division to Fincantieri on Thursday. “The…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is partnering with Shift5 to integrate the company’s onboard cyber anomaly detection and predictive…
The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has finalised 40 agreements totalling RM7.3 billion, encompassing seven contracts valued at RM1.90 billion,…
Leonardo, an Italian aerospace company, and the Ministry of Defense of Malaysia (Mindef) have marked a significant milestone during the…
Turkish land systems manufacturer Otokar is displaying its Cobra II and Akrep II armoured vehicles at DSA. The Cobra II…
Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA), a technology company based in the UK, proudly displays its advanced decoy launcher Ancilia, at…
The Czech Republic’s Excalibur Army has its debuts in the ongoing show. The company is bringing a few small scale…
Turkiye’s Secretariat of Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı-SSB), has two main objectives: modernization of Turkish Armed Forces, and establishing&developing a…
Malaysian company, Smart Weapon Storage Inntech Sdn Bhd (SWS), which has been around for 20 years, aims to extend its…
“We will continue to provide tailored solutions to our customers,” said Cem Altinisik, FNSS Corporate Communication Manager in an interview…
Tony Chegwidden, the Director of Business Development International at EDGE Group, is sharing his thoughts regarding the group’s focus and…
Boeing has advanced its manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technology using a digital F/A-18 Super Hornet and MQ-25 Stingray. The testing shows…
Malaysia’s Lumut Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd (LUNAS) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia at…
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, attended the unveiling of MALVUS SENSE SDN BHD’s CW-25H, a significant development…
KNDS France which is the main provider of artillery systems for the Royal Malaysian Army and a strategic industrial partner…
The upcoming 10th edition of Indo Defence 2024 Expo & Forum, renowned as one of the foremost international defence industry…
Malaysian firm MILDEF International Technologies unveiled its new Tarantula, 4x4 High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV) at the ongoing DSA. Also…
Nurol Makina and Nadicorp (Badanbas) are showing their NMS 4X4 armoured vehicle in Royal Malaysian Army camouflage for the first…
South African defence firm Denel is presenting its portfolio of guided weapons and land defence systems at the show. “Denel…
The Malaysian armed forces are accelerating their procurements of modern military equipment in their quest to transform their combat capability.…
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) is currently participating in the Defense Services Asia (DSA) 2024 defence exhibition, scheduled from 6th to…
The French defence company and a leader in ground mobility solutions, Arquus is showcasing its proven range of defence and…
Tell me about Cendana Auto, and the products that you're featuring here? Cendana Auto is 100% a local Malaysian company,…
Thailand’s defence land system company, Chaiseri, is bringing three of its First Win (FW) series armoured vehicles to the show.…
Turkish weapons company Roketsan is showcasing its broad range of missile equipment at the ongoing show including its new generation…
Malaysia will buy 10 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods from the United States. The proposed sale will improve Malaysia’s capability…
As far as high-profile visits go, this one was right up there on the list. After speaking at the opening…
Malaysia’s Weststar Defence Industries has partnered with International Armored Group (IAG) to display the IAG Guardian Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)…
Singapore Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen’s presence at the ongoing show and his meeting with Malaysia's Prime Minister…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.