Boeing won a 471. 3 million contract. dollars from the U. S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center for the “Japanese Superannuator Program. ” The programme aims to upgrade almost 100 Japanese F-15J fighters to “Japanese Super Interceptor” (JSI).

The work will be carried out in the US and is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. The upgrade is related to Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. The Japanese fighters will get a new advanced cockpit, an upgraded combat mission computer, new radar, electronic warfare capabilities and a new data-link that can be connected to the US counterpart.

However, the upgrade package does not include structural reinforcements. The fighters will not get new engines or a new fly-by-wire system like the EX or Advanced Eagles.