In a major announcement, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the approval of a possible sale of F-15IAs – an Israeli version of the F-15EX – and upgrade kits for the F-15Is – an Israeli version of the F-15E – to the State of Israel. The purchase of the F-15IA could allow the Israeli Air Force to replace its F-15A/C/D Baz and maintain its capabilities as a heavy-duty tactical fighter jet.

“Support Israel in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability”

The sale was approved by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). This agency defines its strategic plan objective as “expanding positive influence on the world” by increasing the defense capacity of the US and its allies to defend their sovereignty and citizens and by joining alliances to deal with conflicts or disasters. Hence an approval for arms deliveries to Israel.

As the statement says,

“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is critical to U.S. national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. The proposed sale is consistent with those goals. … The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

Hence the decision to allow Israel to purchase up to 50 of the most modern F-15s and also upgrade its 25 F-15I Ra’am multi-role fighter jets to F-15IA standard, despite the high Palestinian casualties from Israel’s Operation Iron Swords, which was carried out in response to the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023. So let’s look at the capabilities of the F-15IA according to Boeing.

F-15IA offers endurance, payload and sensors

A look at Boeing’s sales figures shows that the F-15IA, thanks to its conformal fuel tanks, can fly 1,000 nautical miles (1,151 miles, 1,852 kilometers), stay in place for 1-2 hours, and return without refueling. Keep in mind that Tehran, the capital of Iran, is only 985 miles (1,585 kilometers) from Tel Aviv by air.

Graphic: Boeing

Gaza is much closer, so the need for an F-15IA to deal with the Gaza threat to Israel is questionable. In contrast, Iran, which supports terrorist proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, is also developing nuclear weapons. However, the F-15IA offers not only endurance, but also payload.

Graphic: Boeing

As seen above, with its open systems architecture allowing for common munitions, the F-15IA can carry everything from the GBU-39 small diameter bomb to the AGM-88 high speed anti-radar missile, or HARM, to American and Israeli air-to-air missiles. It helps that the DSCA authorizes the F-15IA and upgraded F-15I to carry the Raytheon APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which is among the most advanced radars in the world and excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.

The F-15IA’s AESA radar, while very advanced, is rarely used to locate ground targets. Another sensor included in the F-15IA purchase is the AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN navigation pod, which enables low-level flight with terrain-following radar and infrared camera. But instead of another LANTIRN pod for targeting, the F-15IAs in Boeing’s sales graphics from a few years ago instead show the Israeli-made Rafael LITENING SAR, which clearly does not require DSCA approval. The Rafael LITENING combines infrared search with laser targeting in a sensor sphere in front of a Synthetic Aperture Radar in a pod. You can watch a sales video explaining the pod’s capabilities:

What about the F-15IA behind?

With all these capabilities, the F-15IA can search and attack, or find and lock on to many potential air and ground targets as needed. Since the F-15IA is based on the F-15EX, the F-15IA can carry an air battle manager or another rear seat to help control the fight. Below is the cockpit with the rear seats:

In addition, during the acceptance of the first F-15EX Eagle II by the Oregon Air National Guard, the possible role of the backseater was reported, including as an air combat commander:

Related

142nd Squadron receives new flagship F-15EX Eagle II in Portland

A look into the soul of the US Air Force’s new fighter jet.

In addition, according to The War Zone’s reporting, the F-15D Baz is equipped with satellite communications so that the rear pilot can act as the attack leader on the ground; there is a precedent for this in the Israeli Air Force.

Additional upgrades offered for Israel

Israel will also receive, among other things, the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), which allows the flight crew to lock on to a target and mark it for launching infrared air-to-air missiles or, alternatively, to swivel sensors such as the aforementioned Rafael LITENING SAR pod to lock on to a potential target. One can also use the JHMCS for night vision and obtain flight data and more, as can be seen on the YouTube video below:

Another upgrade is one hundred and twenty (120) F110-GE-129 engines. Each F-15I and F-15IA uses two engines, and the F110-GE-129 engine has the highest available thrust for engines, proven on the F-15 and F-16. The US Air Force also uses the F110-GE-129 on the F-15EX, but this is subject to change.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Israel’s purchase of F-15IAs with supporting equipment is approved in the words of the DSCA;

“The integration of the F-15IA into the Israeli Air Force’s fighter fleet will improve Israel’s interoperability with U.S. systems and strengthen Israel’s air capabilities to counter current and future enemy threats, strengthen the defense of the homeland, and serve as a deterrent against regional threats. Israel will have no difficulty in incorporating these items and services into its armed forces.”

But that’s not the whole story. To quote Boeing Fighters Business Development, Air Dominance Division and former F-15 pilot Rob Novotny in a public LinkedIn post this morning:

Therefore, the United States is seeking permission for Israel to purchase the latest generation of the powerful F-15. Israel needs a platform for long-range precision strikes, and the F-15IA’s exceptional range and capability is a good solution to its unique defense needs.