'' F-15J EAGLE '204Squadron 20th ANNIVERSARY ''

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is the biggest foreign user of the F-15, and Japan is the only license-builder of the type. The F-15, the commanding fighter built for the US Air Force, was developed by McDonnell Douglas with its first flight in 1972. In Japan, it was introduced into the Air Self-Defence Force, and manufactured and licensed as the F-15J, with MHI as the primary contractor. Beginning in 1981, there have been a total of 223 units, including the F-15DJs, manufactured and delivered to the Air Self-Defense Force. The Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ Eagle is the principal air superiority fighter operated by the JASDF.

The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) initially acquired 88 F-15s to replace four squadrons of F-104Js and operate alongside six squadrons of F-4EJs, the latter apparently being tasked with the less difficult targets.Deliveries began in July 1980. This "Peace Eagle" program includes 12 F-15DJ two-seaters, which, like the first two F-15J single-seaters, were built at St. Louis by McDonnell Douglas. The remaining 86 F-15Js were constructed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The first F-15J was handed over in July 1981, and the first operational squadron was activated at Nyutabaru AB in late 1982.

Japan has purchased and produced a total of 223 air-to-air F-15 known as the F-15J, most of which were assembled in Japan from largely indigenously manufactured sub-assemblies and equipment. The JASDF acquired 203 single-seat F-15Js and 20 tandem-seat F-15DJs. The first two F-15Js were delivered from MDD, the first flying at Saint Louis on 4 June 1980. All the other F-15Js were built by Mitsubishi. The first 12 F-15DJs were built by MDD, with the remaining eight assembled by Mitsubishi from knockdown kits provided by MDD.

The F-15J is identical to the F-15C aside from some avionics changes. These differ from the F-15C/D with the deletion of sensitive ECM, radar warning, and nuclear delivery equipment. The AN/ALQ-135 is replaced by indigenous J/ALQ-8 and the AN/ALR-56 RHAWS is replaced by J/APR-4.

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