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.

The US Defense-Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said that the State Department of this country has approved the implementation of an upgrade package for F-15J fighters in the service of the Japanese Air Force. Specifically, 98 F-15J fighters will be upgraded to the Japanese Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration at an estimated cost of $4.5 billion. The necessary equipment for the upgrade process will be provided by the US.

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.

Boeing has partnered with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the defense arena since the 1950s. MHI produced under license the current Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J fleet of over 200 aircraft between 1980 and 2000, and will serve as prime contractor for the upgrade. MHI will develop the detailed modification plan for the jets and prepare the facilities and workforce for the induction and upgrade of up to 98 aircraft beginning in 2022.

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 program.

Japanese F-15J will be upgraded to Super Interceptor: