US Air Force boosts F‑15 fleet with cutting-edge electronic warfare system

The United States has completed testing the AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS electronic warfare system for F-15E and F-15EX aircraft. This will provide these aircraft with completely new capabilities to counteract threats in the electromagnetic domain. Even though they were not designed with stealth technology, their detection will be more challenging.

Completing testing for the Electronic Warfare (EW) system AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the F-15 family of aircraft. With this upgrade, the F-15E and F-15EX aircraft will have new offensive and defensive capabilities.

This modernization will not extend to the older F-15C/D models, which are expected to be gradually retired from service despite partial upgrades to the Golden Eagle standard.

According to the manufacturer, BAE Systems, the AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS system equips the aircraft with capabilities on par with the most sophisticated 5th-generation fighters, such as the F-35 Lightning II, which has the AN/ASQ-239 Barracuda EW system and the F-22 Raptor, equipped with the AN/ALR-94 EW system.

As a result, the EPAWSS-equipped aircraft are anticipated to remain operational at least until 2040. So, what exactly is the AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS electronic warfare system?

The AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS (Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System) is a digital electronic warfare system designed for defensive and offensive operations. It enables the aircraft, for instance, to jam the operation of enemy radars, hinder tracking and targeting, and create false radar images.

This capability is made achievable thanks to significant advancements in electronics, enabling the development of an EW system that will not interfere with the operation of its own radar and RWR (warning and reconnaissance devices).

The new EW system operates at intervals between AESA radar pulses. When it waits for a return signal, it acts as a jammer – a device that disrupts the operation of other radars.

EPWASS selects the operation characteristics to make the detection of its own aircraft difficult or, when concealing presence becomes impossible, to create a radar image of it many miles away.