Saudi Arabia seeks F-15 deal worth $29.4bn

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http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... 9.4bn.html

Saudi Arabia seeks F-15 deal worth $29.4bn
By Stephen Trimble

The US government has confirmed details of a possible order by Saudi Arabia worth $29.4 billion for 84 new F-15SAs equipped with active electronically scanned array radars and major upgrades to its fleet of 70 F-15Ss.

The notice by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), posted on 20 October, shows the potential deal has cleared reviews by the US government, but stops short of a commitment by Riyadh to sign a contract.

The DSCA's description of the proposed configuration for the F-15SA reveals a highly advanced fighter. In addition to being equipped with Raytheon's APG-63(V)3 AESA radar, it will also be armed with the company's AIM-120C7 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Protection would come from a BAE Systems digital electronic warfare system.

The latter is part of the configuration Boeing has defined for the F-15SE Silent Eagle, which also adds a reduced radar cross-section.

However, the F-15SA does not appear to include other advanced upgrades from the Silent Eagle design, such as stealth treatments, internal weapons bays and canted tails.

Saudi Arabia's potential order also could include upgrading all 70 existing F-15Ss to a common configuration with the F-15SA. The package also involves setting up a 12-aircraft training contingent of F-15SAs based in the USA, the notice says.

The size and scope of the order offers a potential major boost to Boeing. The manufacturer needs a new contract to keep its 40-year-old F-15 production line alive beyond 2012.