Boeings Newest Fighter Aircraft Makes First Flight
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued March 3, 2005)
ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing Company's reputation for delivering the
most lethal fighter aircraft to militaries around the world
continued today when their newest fighter aircraft, the F-15K
Strike Eagle, made its first flight in St. Louis.
Flown by Boeing Chief F-15 Test Pilot Joe Felock and Chief Weapons
Systems Officer Rick Junkin, the F-15K completed an aggressive
speed run easily surpassing Mach 2, accomplished both engine
shut-downs and restarts, and breezed through instrument and
avionics checks of primary backup systems.
"The F-15K flew magnificently," said Felock. "With its new
technology and the reliable structure of the Eagle, it will become
a dominant multi-role fighter. Korean fighter pilots will love this
airplane."
The Republic of Korea (ROKAF) selected the F-15K Strike Eagle for
its Next Generation Fighter Program in 2002. Under a $3.6 billion
contract, Boeing will deliver 40 aircraft to the ROKAF beginning
this year and ending in August 2008.
"The F-15K's first flight was a great success, allowing us to move
forward with the program," said Steve Winkler, Boeing F-15K program
manager. "We couldn't have made this first flight early without
tremendous support and teamwork from the ROKAF, the U.S. Air Force,
and our suppliers. We're looking forward to the F-15K rollout
ceremony on March 16 in St. Louis."
An advanced derivative of the U.S. Air Force F-15E, the F-15K is
the world's most capable long-range, multi-role fighter. It can
perform air-to-ground, air-to-air, and air-to-sea missions during
the day or at night, in virtually any weather. It can carry more
than 23,000 pounds of payload, reach Mach 2.5, and incorporates the
latest military technologies.
These include the APG-63(V)1 radar, a helmet-mounted cueing system,
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.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is
one of the world's 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 world's largest military aircraft
manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a
leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems
integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland
Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in
sustainment solutions and launch services.