F-15SE Silent Eagle - the finest machine of St. Louis.
Posted on 02/13/2010 6:09:38 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been examining the advanced F-15 fighter-jet. Boeing has targeted Qatar and Saudi Arabia as key clients for the F-15. Executives said a contract between Boeing and a Gulf Cooperation Council state could be signed by 2011.
"We're hoping for something to happen in the 2010-11 timeframe," Boeing Defense vice president Mark Kronenberg said.
In a Feb. 3 briefing at the Singapore Air Show, Boeing outlined efforts to sell the F-15 and the F/A-18 fighter-jets to GCC states. Executives said Qatar and Saudi Arabia marked the biggest opportunities for their company over the next year.
Kronenberg said Saudi Arabia was discussing with the U.S. government another purchase of the F-15. Riyad has been operating about 150 F-15s, acquired in the 1980s and 1990s.
"A lot of discussions government-to-government is going for folo-up F-15s," Kronenberg said.
Executives said the Royal Saudi Air Force has sought the new variant of the F-15. They identified the platform as the F-15SE, or Stealth Eagle, capable of evading enemy radar and transporting a large amount of weapons.
Qatar has also been examining the F-15, executives said. The GCC emirate, which in 2009 acquired Boeing's C-17 strategic transport, was also said to have been briefed on the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
"We have had great success with Qatar with C-17," Kronenberg said. "We think we have opportunities to sell additional American products in what has been primarily a French market."
Executives said Middle East and other F-15 and F/A-18 users were seeking upgraded versions of the platforms amid delays in the development of the Joint Strike Fighter. Kuwait has also been examining an upgrade of its F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet. Unlike JSF, these aircraft can contain a two-man crew.
(Excerpt) Read more at geostrategy-direct.com ...
F-15SE Silent Eagle - the finest machine of St. Louis.
It is a fantastic machine
Wow! That is one sharp looking aircraft. Has a bit of a Hornet look to it. Mach 2.5+ according to Wikipedia.
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