Royal Saudi Air Force takes part in Red Flag 10-4 with the F-15S

The Royal Saudi Air Force  attended Red Flag 10-4 with  the F-15. The Saudi version is called the F-15S  is a variant of the F-15E supplied to the Royal Saudi Air Force in the mid to late 1990s. Saudi Arabia had previously wanted the F-15F, a proposed single-seat Strike Eagle. Saudi Arabia sought to order 24 F-15Fs, but was blocked by U.S. Congress. The F-15S is almost identical to the USAF F-15E and the only major difference in the AN/APG-70 radar performance in the synthetic aperture mode. The version was initially referred to as F-15XP,72 were built from 1996 to 1998.

One major Visual difference on the F-15S , is the addition of the  F110-GE-129C engines that look a lot like the early F-15A turkey feather clad engines of days gone by.  The  F110-GE-129C engine is used world wide on

F-16 C/D models along with the F-15K of the Republic of Korea Air Force.The -129C engine for the Saudi F-15s features GE’s service life extension hardware, incorporating the core from the long-serving CFM56 airliner engine, as well as three-dimensional aero technology and upgrades to both the combustor and high-pressure turbine. According to GE, these enhancements can deliver up to a 25-percent improvement in costs per flight hour In selecting the GE engine, the RSAF cited the F110’s high performance, safety and reliability and cost-effective operation.

GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.  More on the GE engine here http://www.geae.com/engines/military/f110/index.html

Other Saudi upgrades revolve around sensors and weapons delivery.

Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod offers a single 4th generation replacement for the firm’s 2nd generation, twin-pod LANTIRN system. It boasts significantly longer range and higher resolution, as well as the ability to geolocate targets for use with GPS-guided munitions, and perform independent laser targeting for laser-guided bombs like the Paveway.