ST. LOUIS, March 16, 2005 - The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA]
revealed the first F-15K Strike Eagle fighter aircraft for the
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) today at the Boeing site in St.
Louis, Mo.
The aircraft unveiled at the event completed its first flight March
3 and is the first of 40 F-15Ks being built for the ROKAF. The
ROKAF is investing $4.2 billion for the 40 F-15Ks and deliveries
will begin this year and end in August 2008.
Boeing is thankful we can produce this world-class fighter for the
Republic of Korea, said Jim Albaugh, Boeing Integrated Defense
Systems president and CEO. It has advanced technologies and
weaponry never seen before on any F-15.
Albaugh emphasized the incredible teamwork between the United
States and the Republic of Korea to the hundreds of employees,
customers, and suppliers in attendance at the rollout
ceremony.
An advanced derivative of the U.S. Air Force F-15E, the F-15K is
the worlds most capable long-range, multi-role fighter. It can
perform air-to-ground, air-to-air, and air-to-sea missions during
day or night, in virtually any weather. It can carry more than
23,000 pounds of payload, reach Mach 2.3, and incorporates the
latest military technologies. These include the APG-63(V)1 radar, a
Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), infrared search and
track, third-generation navigation and targeting systems, and
weapons-control systems supporting advanced weapons such as the
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Harpoon Block II, Standoff
Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), Advanced Medium
Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and AIM-9X Sidewinder
missile.
Integration of the worlds best multi-role fighter into our force
will certainly be a great momentum in improving our air power said
General Lee, Han-ho, the Republic of Korea Air Forces (ROKAF)
Chief of Staff, at the rollout. Moreover, the F-15K will enhance
the interoperability between ROK and U.S. Air Forces. I believe
that this new fighter jet will make a great contribution in
maintaining the solid ROK-US combined operational posture.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is
one of the worlds largest space and defense businesses.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a
$30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system
solutions to its global military, government, and commercial
customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance systems; the worlds largest military aircraft
manufacturer; the worlds largest satellite manufacturer and a
leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems
integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASAs largest contractor; and
a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.