US Air Force Acquires Secondhand Saudi F-15 Wings for F-15E Upgrades

With substantial flight hours logged, the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex required upgraded wings to ensure operational capability through 2040.

The lead time for new wings from the original equipment manufacturer was approximately five years and cost five times as much as a refurbished F-15SA wing.

The 409th Supply Chain Management Squadron, in collaboration with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s F-15 Program Office and F-15SA Conversion, Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Program Office at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, strategically opted to procure refurbished F-15SA wings from the Saudi Air Force.

Joe Hudson, the F-15 Structures section chief in the 409th SCMS and a key player in the F-15 Saudi Wings Team, noted that this procurement saved the U.S. Air Force $80 million on eight sets of wings in Fiscal Year 2020, with projected savings of $250 million for future orders.

“In June 2018, we partnered with the F-15 System Program Office and the Foreign Military Saudi case manager, along with Worldwide Redistribution Service representatives, to assess the feasibility of acquiring F-15SA wings ahead of their planned destruction,” he explained.

Following a comprehensive business case analysis of various wing procurement strategies, the decision was made to acquire the F-15SA wings.

Lt. Col. Matthew Pope, the deputy security assistance program manager for AFLCMC’s F-15SA Conversion, emphasized that during the conversion process, F-15S wings would typically be discarded. However, his team facilitated an alternative plan that was beneficial for all parties involved.

“My team played a crucial role in arranging temporary storage after wing removals and coordinating documentation approvals with our partner nation,” he added.

Pope’s office, alongside the F-15SA Sustainment Team, worked closely with the RSAF director of Programs to finalize the memorandum of understanding for the purchase of the initial eight sets of wings, with the prospect of acquiring up to 42 more sets.

Once the necessary approvals were secured, the F-15SA Conversion Team partnered with an aerospace organization from Saudi Arabia for the packaging, inspection, and shipping of the eight sets of wings delivered to Robins in August 2020.

“Recognizing that the conversion included the removal and disposal of wings, we identified the potential benefits of obtaining several sets of Royal Saudi Air Force wings in ‘A-Condition’ to save on time and costs for the aging F-15 fleet,” he said.

This initiative took flight in February 2019, culminating in substantial success, according to Pope.

“The wing acquisition provides the U.S. Air Force with a valuable option for installation, ensuring both time and cost efficiency, particularly as legacy wings await parts or are deemed non-repairable,” he mentioned.

The procurement of the wings resulted in significant savings and a compressed five-year schedule. Furthermore, there’s potential for considerable savings across the Future Years Defense Program.

Pope remarked that from a strategic standpoint, this effort generated millions for the Saudi Arabian government during challenging times, while ensuring the U.S. Air Force retains the necessary F-15 force at reduced costs.

“Saudi Arabia is an indispensable strategic partner, and innovative, mutually beneficial endeavors like this wing acquisition further strengthen our partnership,” he stated.

Eric Wietstruk, the F-15 Product Support manager in AFLCMC’s F-15 Program Office, underscored the value of F-15SA wings as a practical and cost-effective solution for replacing unserviceable F-15E wings.

“Acquiring the F-15SA wings will create opportunities for sourcing other aircraft parts stemming from the F-15 Saudi Aircraft Conversion Program, ultimately benefiting our warfighters at a lower cost,” he affirmed.

In his role, Wietstruk ensures that the F-15 fleet is sustained and maintained for the long term.

Securing the F-15SA wings exemplifies how the U.S. and its foreign military sales partners can mutually benefit from a robust strategic alliance, Wietstruk noted.

“We continue to collaborate with our FMS partners to support and sustain our unified F-15 legacy and new aircraft fleets,” he added.

Hudson highlighted the successful collaboration of four agencies in completing a groundbreaking acquisition of F-15SA wings from the Royal Saudi Air Force.

“Our Integrated Product Team effectively negotiated agreements between the U.S. Air Force and FMS partners, devising innovative solutions to navigate storage and shipment challenges during the global pandemic, ultimately meeting customer requirements ahead of scheduled timelines,” he concluded.

Installation of the F-15SA wings on aircraft is planned during programmed depot maintenance in 2021.