Article Posted on : - Apr 08, 2010

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-15SG fighter aircraft arrives in Singapore. An RSAF Photo

ST. LOUIS (BNS): The Singapore Air Force has received its first five F-15SG all-weather attack aircraft from US defence firm Boeing on April 5.

The aircraft returned to Singapore's Paya Lebar air base after undergoing 10 months of rigorous air-to-air and air-to-ground training programme in the US’ Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Boeing said.

The fighter planes will join the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) 149 Squadron.

The F-15SGs will join the fighter group under the air combat command which plans, controls and executes air warfare operations. This marks a significant milestone in the 3rd Generation RSAF's development of its advanced fighter capabilities, the RSAF said.

Singapore had signed a contract with the US Government in 2005 to acquire 12 F-15SG fighters.

The F-15SG multi-role fighter aircraft is an advanced variant of the F-15 Eagle. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and a sophisticated integrated sensor suite which includes an active electronically scanned array radar and a third-generation SNIPER targeting pod.

The weapons mounted on the aircraft include M-61A1 20mm Gatling gun, AIM-9X supersonic air-to-air missiles, Maverick air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs.

The aircraft also has a state-of-the-art cockpit and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System for increased situational awareness and enhanced air-to-air and self-defense capabilities.