Boeing wins new deal for Japan’s Super Interceptor program

The Boeing Company has been awarded a $450.5 million undefinitized contract to support Japan’s F-15 Super Interceptor Program.

The contract includes radars, self-protection systems, and mission computer units, with work set to take place in St. Louis, Missouri, and an expected completion date of February 2030. The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is overseeing the foreign military sales (FMS) agreement.

This initiative aims to enhance Japan’s fleet of F-15Js, which includes 163 single-seat fighters and 36 two-seat F-15DJs built under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), along with 14 aircraft assembled by McDonnell Douglas in the United States. Unlike the U.S. Air Force, which is replacing its F-15Cs with the advanced F-15EX models, Japan is opting to modernize its legacy F-15Js with features derived from the Advanced Eagle standard.

The upgrade package, known as the “Super Interceptor,” will incorporate the APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This system, already in use on the USAF’s F-15E Strike Eagles and the F-15EX, enhances air-to-air combat capabilities while improving detection and targeting. The package may also include the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), signaling expanded multi-role capabilities and enabling long-range strike missions.

Reports from 2017 suggest Japan’s intention to transform its F-15s into cruise missile carriers for extended strike operations, aligning with the upgrades being implemented under the Super Interceptor program. These improvements reflect Japan’s strategy to adapt its air capabilities in response to evolving regional security challenges.

Boeing’s contract builds on previous efforts to enhance the F-15 platform, including its proposed F-15 2040C upgrade package for the USAF, which prioritized extended service life and increased weapons capacity. While the USAF ultimately chose to procure new F-15EX aircraft, Japan’s decision highlights a different approach by leveraging proven systems and capabilities to extend the operational relevance of its current fleet.