Aerospace giant Boeing has long touted the advanced capabilities of two aircraft – the F-15EX Eagle II and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Both are significantly improved versions of the multi-role fighter jets developed during the Cold War, but Boeing now wants to boost the capabilities even further.

It was announced on Tuesday that British Aerospace (BAE) Systems has been awarded a contract to upgrade the fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control computer (FCC) for the Eagle II and Super Hornet. This technology upgrade is designed to increase computing power, which in turn will improve the performance and capabilities of the respective aircraft.

BAE Systems was the original manufacturer of the FCCs for both aircraft. In addition produced the electronic warfare (EW) suite for the F-15EX.

“The FCCs share common core electronics that support the quadruple redundant FBW flight control systems (FCS) and provide the safety, reliability, robustness and performance required for the missions of these advanced platforms,” BAE Systems explains.

“These computers efficiently control flight operations by processing pilot inputs, monitoring aircraft motion conditions in real time via onboard sensors, and transmitting commands to actuators that move the control surfaces. The redundant FCS, together with the flight control laws, enables the pilot to maintain controlled operations across the demanding flight regime and multiple load configurations,” the defense contractor added.

In addition to controlling flight operations, the FCS can also be used to “reconfigure” an aircraft’s controls if a system fails or is damaged in combat. This is accomplished by “shuffling” the remaining control surfaces accordingly. In addition, the FBW FCS serves as a de facto copilot or autopilot, allowing the pilot in the cockpit to focus more on mission objectives while the computer takes over flight control.

In addition to the improved FCC, the Super Hornet receives a additional processorwhich makes the aircraft future-proof in use.

“BAE Systems is a leading provider of highly integrated controls and this upgrade reflects our commitment to providing our customers with next-generation solutions,” said Corin Beck, Senior Director of Military Aircraft Systems for Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our advanced flight-critical solution ensures these platforms are ready for deployment now and in the future, and also equips the aircraft to support the integration of new capabilities.”

Neither Boeing nor BAE Systems have announced a timeline for when the work will be carried out, or whether it will only apply to the F-15EX Eagle II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in the US fleet. However, since the F-15EX is only now being produced, it should be easier for those aircraft to receive this update.

The United States Air Force “received its first operational F-15EX in June” Flight Global reported: while the fighters reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in July. The airline is on track to receive approximately 90 F-15EX to replace its aging fleet of F-15C/D models. The new fighters will be in service in the same equipment which built the original F-15 Eagle. Israel, Indonesia and Poland have expressed interest in the Eagle II.

The United States Navy began purchasing the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 1999 and, as part of the record program, 625 delivered from the end of 2023. Earlier this year, the naval service and Boeing finally agreed on the terms for the last batch of seventeen Block III Super Hornets, which delivered until 2027.

As previously reportedThe aircraft maker will begin slowing its build rate from two jets per month to just one and a half while it focuses its St. Louis Super Hornet workforce on other Boeing programs – including the F-15EX, the T-7A training aircraft and the MQ-25 refueling aircraft.

Author’s experience and expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a writer from Michigan. He has contributed for more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites with over 3,200 published articles in his twenty-year career as a journalist. He writes regularly about military equipment, weapons history, cybersecurity, politics and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Author for Forbes and Clearance jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciuYou can send an email to the author: (email protected).

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