The US Air Force has awarded Textron Systems a $9.5 million contract tied to assessment of the F-15 Eagle’s advanced defensive electronics suite. The effort centers on EPAWSS, the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System, which modernizes the aircraft by replacing legacy radar warning and countermeasure equipment. Textron will supply multiple units of its proprietary A2PATS simulator, short for Advanced Architecture Phase, Amplitude and Time Simulator. This technology is used to measure radar warning system effectiveness in crowded electromagnetic conditions against current electronic warfare threats. The contract also covers benchmarking support and spare parts. Work will take place with the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, over the next 17 months. Some testing will also support prospective foreign military sales users evaluating the system. Textron says A2PATS creates realistic threat environments by reproducing complex waveforms emitted in modern battle zones, including accurate phase, amplitude, and signal arrival timing over multiple ranges. Such realism is vital for validating aircraft survivability systems before operational deployment. EPAWSS significantly improves the F-15’s ability to detect, identify, and counter hostile radars and missile threats, helping keep the long-serving fighter effective in contested airspace. The contract demonstrates ongoing US investment in electronic warfare upgrades for both domestic and export fleets.
