Article Posted on : - Apr 23, 2010

The F-15K41 fighter aircraft undergoes first flight test. A Boeing photo

ST. LOUIS (BNS): An F-15K41, the first of 21 F-15K Slam Eagle fighter aircraft developed by US’ Boeing for South Korea, has been flight tested for the first time.

The aircraft made its maiden flight from the Lambert St. Louis International Airport on Monday, Boeing announced.

The F-15K – an advanced variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle all-weather ground attack strike fighter – is being produced by Boeing for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) under a US$ 2.3 billion deal signed in 2008.

Under this ‘Next Fighter II’ contract, Korea will acquire 21 F-15Ks which are scheduled to be delivered between 2010 and 2012.

The F-15K features latest technologies, including advanced radars, latest weapons systems and more powerful engines.

The aircraft’s service life is planned through 2040, with technology insertions and upgrades throughout its life cycle, Boeing said.

Korea had acquired 40 F-15K aircraft from Boeing in 2008 under the ‘Next Fighter I’ contract.