The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed on 4 February they plans to upgrade 68 Boeing-Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle fighter aircraft through the Japan Super Interceptor (JSI) programme. The MoD also said that the estimated life-cycle costs of the 68 Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) aircraft over 30 years – including the upgrade – will amount to JPY646.5 billion (USD5.6 billion). The upgrade includes the integration of long-range stand-off missiles, radars that can lock multiple targets simultaneously, an increased munitions payload, and enhanced electronic warfare capability.
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.
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 of 98 F-15Js to a JSI configuration for an estimated cost of $4.5 billion.
In, 2022, the Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $471,313,000 undefinitized contract action for the F-15J Japan Super Interceptor Program. The contract action provides for the design and development of an integrated suite of aircraft systems to support modification of the Japan Air Self Defense Force F-15MJ aircraft and the development, test, and delivery of four Weapon System Trainers. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $48,260,100 are being obligated at the time of award.
