Boeing on June 26 received a $1.8 billion foreign military sales contract from the Air Force to supply 68 kits to convert Saudi Arabian F-15 fighters to the new advanced F-15SA configuration, announced the Pentagon in its daily list of major contracts. The contract also covers associated equipment and services. This work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013, according to the Defense Department. This modernization of the existing Saudi F-15 force is part of a broader $29.4 billion FMS package, under which the Saudis also will acquire 84 new-build F-15SA aircraft from Boeing. (See also Robins has Big Role in Saudi F-15 Work.)
With a repeat of a hypersonic missile test coming up in the summer and the potential to speed up production of the B-21 Raider, the Air Force is “committed” to putting hypersonic missiles on its long-range bombers, said Lt. Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, the top USAF acquisition official. Air Force…