Air Force releases RFI to repair ‘battled damaged’ F-15SA fighter

The U.S. Air Force is conducting market research to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the qualifications to repair a “battled damaged F-15SA aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force.”

Robins Air Force Base in Georgia announced the work in a Request For Information (RFI) released Thursday, although the actual document is dated Jan. 26, 2021.

The Royal Saudi Air Forces received their final F-15SA fighter in December 2020. Produced by Boeing, 84 F-15SA fighters were delivered as part of a $29 billion foreign military sales agreement signed in 2010.

“The government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, expertise, capabilities, facilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to repair the aircraft,” the Air Force said in the RFI. The aircraft requires “replacement of the Aft Fuselage and reinstallation of the wing and tail assemblies.”

The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined, the Air Force said. “The government does not own or have access to the data for these items. The government has determined that this system is a proprietary item.

“The contractor will be responsible for furnishing all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services.” The aircraft must be restored to a full mission-capable flyable condition.

F-15QA

In August 2021, Boeing, in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), celebrated the naming and rollout of Qatar’s advanced F-15 jet fighter, the F-15QA.

Boeing plans to establish and operate an aircrew and maintenance training center for the QEAF at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar through 2024 while also providing in-country spares and logistics support once aircraft are delivered.