The US Defense-Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said that the State Department of this country
has approved the implementation of an upgrade package for F-15J fighters in the service of the Japanese Air Force
Specifically, 98 F-15J fighters will be upgraded to the Japanese Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration at an estimated cost of $4.5 billion
The necessary equipment for the upgrade process will be provided by the US
The Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter
based on the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in use by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)
The F-15J was produced under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
The subsequent F-15DJ and F-15J Kai variants were also produced
Japan is the largest customer of the F-15 Eagle outside the United States
In addition to combat, F-15DJ roles include training
F-15J/DJs are identical to F-15C/Ds aside from the ECM, radar warning system, and nuclear equipment
The engine is the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan, produced under license by IHI Corporation
Boeing has partnered with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the defense arena since the 1950s
MHI produced under license the current Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J fleet of over 200 aircraft between 1980 and 2000
and will serve as prime contractor for the upgrade
MHI will develop the detailed modification plan for the jets and prepare the facilities and workforce
for the induction and upgrade of up to 98 aircraft beginning in 2022
In 2020, Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) signed a Direct Commercial Sale agreement to support upgrades to Japan’s F-15J fleet
An all-new advanced cockpit system, running on the world’s most advanced mission computer, will deliver pilots enhanced situational awareness
Under the agreement, Boeing will provide MHI with retrofit drawings
ground support equipment and technical publications for the upgrade of the first two F-15J aircraft to the Japan Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration
In October 2019 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved a possible sale to Japan of up to 103 APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radars
116 Advanced Display Core Processor II Mission System Computers and 101 AN/ALQ-239 Digital Electronic Warfare Systems for the upgrade program