Israel Kicks Off Program to Improve Its F-16s and F-15s
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F-15s and F-16s make up the backbone of Israel’s potent fighter force. The IDF’s main fighter is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including aging F-16 A/B Netz (“Falcon”), plus F-16C Barak (“Lightning”) and two-seat F-16D Brakeet (“Thunderbolt”), and now the heavily customized two-seat F-16I Block 52+ Soufa (“Storm”). Indeed, the Israelis fly the largest contingent of F-16s outside the United States. Israel also flies longer range, higher performance F-15 A-D Baz (“Eagle”) models that have greatly distinguished themselves in IDF service, plus the customized two-seat F-15I Ra’ahm (“Thunder”) Strike Eagle optimized for advanced ground attack as well as long range interception. All of these aircraft are heavily modified from the US versions with Israeli avionics, self-protection systems, weapons, and sometimes radars as well.
While Israel’s F-16A/B Netz inventory may well be sold on the international market as the Soufas arrive, their F-16 C/D and F-15 A-D planes are expected to serve the Air Force Corps until at least 2020. To keep their edge, Israel is about to spend “around tens of millions of dollars” to improve and upgrade them…
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Announced improvement for the F-16 C/Ds will include an “upgrading of the control and inspection systems” (Tamir Eshel of Defense Update notes that the article on the IDF site was improperly translated, and should read “command and control”) to the correlated systems in the F-16I Soufa, and a replacement of the screens in the cockpit with more advanced color displays.
Announced improvement of the F-15 A-D Eagles will include a “replacement of electronic war systems” and an “improvement in the ability to carry advanced bombs” via integration of new weapons. Presumably, Python 5 and Derby 4 air-air missile integration will be part of the process, if that isn’t already present from past modernizations. While the release wasn’t specific, JDAM compatibility is likely to be a priority and Lockheed’s JASSM/JSOW are also proving popular these days. Tamir Eshel of Defense Update writes us to add that integration of RAFAEL’s “Spice”, a kit similar to JDAM but improved via a combination of electro-optical and GPS guidance, will also be included.
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This is actually the second modernization wave for the F-15 A-Ds, following close on the heels of the 1995-2001 Baz Meshopar (“Improved Eagle”) program. Israeli-Weapons.com notes that the Baz Meshopar package resembles the US Air Force (USAF) F-15 Multi-Stage Improvement Program, although it was implemented with a significant element of Israeli-built electronics and avionics integrated around the MIL-STD 1553 and 1760 data buses. This featured elements of the F-15I Ra’am Strike Eagle variant, such as the modernized cockpit with Elbit multifunction displays, GPS-INS navigation system, AIM-120 AMRAAM and Python 4 missile capability, and Elbit’s DASH (Display And Sight Helmet), plus software upgrades delivered via the USAF’s Warner Robins Air Logistics Center avionics management directorate software division. The upgraded aircraft are known as Baz Meshopar (Improved Eagle) but are also referred to as the F-15 AUP (Avionics Upgrade Program).
The IDF news release did not mention what the further-upgraded F-15s would be called. Perhaps “Baz Meshopar Me’oht” (Very Improved Eagle)?
Meanwhile, back in North America, US budget crunches and procurement cutbacks around the F-22 and F-35 JSF programs will intensify the need to keep its TacAir fleet up to acceptable strength via supplemental measures. As such, Israel’s upgrades could hold future interest as a template for upgrades that would turn the USA’s F-15C dedicated air superiority fighters into modernized multi-role aircraft at a reasonable cost.
UPDATE: In an April 20, 2006 article, David Axe of DefenseTech notes that the USAF is indeed preparing a modernization roadmap for its single-seat F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters, and that conversion to multi-role status is part of that roadmap. Up to 200 F-15Cs may eventually be involved.
