Historic Debut of the F-15K Slam Eagle
On October 8, 2005, Seongnam Seoul Airport was drenched in rain, but that didn’t deter a crowd of journalists and military officials from gathering and looking skyward. The day marked the culmination of over a decade of anticipation as two F-15K Slam Eagles touched the runway, their powerful engines roaring.
The jets had flown approximately 9,942 miles (16,000 kilometers) from the Boeing factory in St. Louis, USA, making two mid-air refueling stops before arriving at Seoul Airport. While similar aircraft had occasionally appeared in media coverage during joint U.S.-Korean Air Force training exercises, this event felt distinctly different. Unlike the U.S. Air Force’s star insignia, these planes were adorned with the Taegeuk mark of the Korean Air Force. It was a historic moment as the F-15K Slam Eagle, the Air Force’s next-generation main combat aircraft, debuted on the Korean Peninsula.
Development and Delivery of the F-15K
The F-15K was introduced in two phases through the F-X 1 and 2 projects with Boeing from 2005 to 2008. Initially, 40 aircraft were delivered, though one was lost in an unknown crash. During the second phase, from 2010 to 2012, 20 more aircraft were added, with Boeing replacing the lost plane, bringing the total to 21. However, another aircraft crashed during aerial maneuver training in 2018, leaving the Air Force with a fleet of 59 F-15Ks.
When the Air Force decided to adopt the F-15K, it held a public contest in 2005 to name the fighter, resulting in the name “Slam Eagle.” The F-15K is an upgraded version of the F-15E and is a versatile multi-role fighter. It measures 63.8 feet (19.43 meters) in length, 42.8 feet (13.05 meters) in wingspan, and 18.4 feet (5.6 meters) in height, with an empty weight of about 31,746 pounds (14.4 tons). Fully loaded with weapons and fuel, it can reach a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 80,909 pounds (36.7 tons) and carry up to 29,101 pounds (13.2 tons) of armaments, including air-to-air missiles and guided bombs.
Equipped with the AN/APG-63(V1) radar, the F-15K can detect and track targets on the ground from over 124 miles (200 kilometers) away. Its two engines, producing a thrust of 29,400 pounds-force each, enable it to reach Mach 2.3 to 2.5 speeds. With a combat radius of 1,118 miles (1,800 kilometers), the F-15K can cover the entire Korean Peninsula in a single sortie. It is regarded as a key component of the Korean Air Force’s fleet, alongside the F-35A, and is expected to remain in service until 2040.
When the F-15K was introduced, it quickly garnered attention for its superior performance compared to its U.S. Air Force counterparts. At the time, it was even considered that the Korean Air Force possessed the most formidable fighter in East Asia. The F-15K features an advanced Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, which allows it to detect enemy aircraft through thermal imaging without relying on radar, making it effective even in electronic warfare environments. It also comes equipped with the LANTRIN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system, enhancing its navigation and targeting capabilities during nighttime operations, thus improving its survivability and strike potential.
Armament and Combat Features
In terms of armament, the F-15K boasts the AIM-9X Super Sidewinder. This short-range air-to-air missile locks onto targets based on the pilot’s line of sight immediately after launch, and the AIM-120C AMRAAM, a medium-range air-to-air missile known for its enhanced accuracy and extended range. These features have earned the F-15K high praise for its air-to-air combat effectiveness. Notably, the U.S. Air Force’s F-15s of that era did not have the IRST or AIM-9X missile capability, which was later incorporated into their fleet through upgrade programs.
The F-15K also inherited its predecessor’s impressive ground attack capabilities, the F-15E Strike Eagle. It includes the capability to deploy the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, expanding its role in maritime strike missions. Additionally, its ability to use GPS-guided bombs like the JDAM significantly enhances its precision strike capabilities, earning it the nickname “King of Combat Power.”
Among its arsenal, the AGM-84H SLAM-ER missile stands out as a key weapon. With a range of about 174 miles (280 kilometers) and a highly precise Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 9.8 feet (3 meters), the SLAM-ER can accurately strike targets within a small radius. Combined with the F-15 K’s extended flight time of up to 3 hours and its combat radius of 1,118 miles (1,800 kilometers), this missile makes the F-15K a formidable platform capable of engaging targets within North Korea and reaching as far as Japan and China.
Despite its continued reputation as a top-tier fighter in East Asia, the Korean Air Force has been pursuing a significant upgrade for the F-15K Slam Eagle since 2022. This project aims to enhance both its survivability and strike capability. Central to this upgrade is replacing the current mechanical radar with a more advanced system. Although the F-15K has been somewhat overshadowed by introducing the F-35A stealth fighter, it remains crucial to the Air Force’s operations. The Air Force is investing approximately $3.39 billion (3.89 trillion won) from 2024 to 2034 to modernize the F-15K to address this.
On March 22, during the 160th Defense Project Promotion Committee meeting, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the performance improvement project for the F-15K. This upgrade will be conducted through foreign military sales (FMS) and includes installing the cutting-edge active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and large-screen displays. Once completed, the enhanced F-15K is expected to match the performance of the latest F-15 model, the F-15EX.
A DAPA official commented, “The performance improvement will transform the F-15K into a key asset for air defense by enhancing its target identification and strike capabilities. This will ensure more stable operational conditions and allow us to fully leverage the F-15 K’s long-range mission and weapon load capabilities.”
Comparison with the F-15EX and Future Capabilities
The upgraded F-15K is projected to match the performance of the latest F-15 variant, the F-15EX, with enhanced detection range and armament capabilities. The F-15EX measures 63.8 feet (19.43 meters) in length, 42.8 feet (13.05 meters) in wingspan, and 18.5 feet (5.63 meters) in height. It can reach speeds of Mach 2.5 and has a combat radius of 11,184 miles (18,000 kilometers). Additionally, it can be equipped with the AGM-183A hypersonic missile, which travels at speeds exceeding Mach 5 to target and destroy ground targets.
The F-15EX is outfitted with advanced electronics, including the AN/APG-82(V)1 phased array (AESA) radar. This radar can detect enemy fighters from over 174 miles (280 kilometers) away. The aircraft also features EPAWSS electronic warfare systems, IRST (Infrared Search and Track), and a mission computer with the highest processing speed available in current 5th-generation fighters.
EPAWSS provides pilots with a comprehensive 360-degree view, enabling them to detect and assess threats while enhancing their survivability by disrupting enemy systems. The cockpit includes a large multi-function display (MFD), giving pilots a clear, real-time battlefield overview.
Regarding armament, the F-15EX excels with the capacity to carry up to 24 bombs and air-to-ground missiles. It can be equipped with 16 to 22 rockets for air-to-air engagements, significantly more than previous models. It can carry up to 22 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, each with a range of up to 124 miles (200 kilometers). By comparison, the older F-15 could only carry 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and 8 AMRAAMs, totaling 12.
The F-15EX is designed with a fully digital backbone, a significant upgrade from the analog systems of earlier F-15 models. This includes the latest mission computer, ADCP-II, known for its exceptional processing capabilities. The Korean Air Force plans to bring the F-15K to similar specifications. Once completed, the enhanced F-15K will join the ranks of the F-35A stealth fighter, KF-16V Viper, and KF-21 Boramae as part of a new era of advanced electronic scanning AESA radar technology.
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