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2024-05-30

BAE Systems Upgrades F-15 Eagles for EW Domination

The skies above the battlefield are getting smarter for the U.S. Air Force. BAE Systems' groundbreaking Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) has successfully completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E), paving the way for a game-changing upgrade for F-15 fighter jets.

This innovative system equips the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II with a comprehensive electronic warfare (EW) suite.

EPAWSS offers a full spectrum of real-time capabilities, including radar warning, geolocation, enhanced situational awareness, and self-protection measures. This translates to greater freedom of manoeuvre and deeper penetration into hostile airspace protected by advanced air defence systems.

“EPAWSS was designed for upgradeability and rapid capability insertion,” said Amy Nesbitt, EPAWSS programme manager at BAE Systems. “We’re using agile software development to provide iterative upgrades to fielded EW systems—allowing our customers to defeat future electromagnetic threats.”

Maj Bryant “Jager” Baum, EPAWSS Test Director for the Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), observed: “EPAWSS is a leap in technology, improving the lethality and combat capabilities of the F-15E and F-15EX in contested, degraded environments against advanced threats. It has set the baseline for EW within the fighter community.”

Enhanced Battlefield Intelligence

BAE Systems supported AFOTEC in executing EPAWSS IOT&E and is in the process of producing and fielding one of the world’s most advanced EW systems, improving the F-15’s ability to conduct combat missions. The company is working closely with Boeing and the U.S. Air Force to enhance the system’s discriminating EW capabilities, including the use of cognitive EW as demonstrated during the Northern Edge 2023 (NE23) large force exercise test event.

“Our close collaboration with the U.S. Air Force allows us to mature EPAWSS cognitive processing capabilities,” stated Chip Mosle, programme director at BAE Systems. “By incrementally testing and fielding cognitive EW solutions to proven systems such as EPAWSS, we are enabling tactical spectrum overmatch against advanced threats that are unpredictable and evolving.”

Electromagnetic Threats

During the NE23 event, EPAWSS was tested on its ability to rapidly respond to previously unencountered electromagnetic threats.

The tests challenged the system to process in-mission sensor data, create sophisticated techniques, and optimise waveforms in real time.

The NE23 environment pushed EPAWSS to execute these tasks within an unpredictable electromagnetic spectrum at a theatre-exercise level.

BAE Systems executes the EPAWSS program at its facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire and Austin, Texas, producing EPAWSS hardware in support of F-15EX new-aircraft production and F-15E aircraft fleet modifications.

Pull Quotes

System provides real-time radar warning

Iterative upgrades defeat electromagnetic threats

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