Boeing has been awarded a $70 million contract to begin upgrading U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard F-15C Eagles with the APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The upgrades will begin in first quarter 2009.

The Raytheon APG-63(V)3 AESA radar combines the operationally-proven APG-63(V)2 AESA software and the revolutionary hardware advances of the F/A 18E/F Super Hornet's APG-79 AESA radar to create a high performance system that is reliable and affordable.

The AESA radar will ensure the F-15Cs continue their combat-proven air supremacy well into the 21st century. The AESA radar also will reduce the cost of maintaining the F-15C due to its improved reliability.

The APG-63(V)3 radar is the latest addition in planned upgrades to the F-15C, which have included a fighter-to-fighter data link, GPS navigation and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, enabling network centric operations while employing the latest air-to-air weapons.