F-15SA Development Aircraft Used to Test AGM-84 Harpoon Block II Update
•February 5, 2026
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Why It Matters
The upgrade restores a modern anti‑ship and land‑attack capability to legacy fighter platforms, extending the F‑15 fleet's relevance and providing a cost‑effective maritime strike option. It also influences procurement choices in the Indo‑Pacific as allies seek versatile, low‑cost missile solutions.
Key Takeaways
- •Final Harpoon Block II test completed using Saudi F‑15SA.
- •GPS/INS upgrade enables land‑target strike and waypoint navigation.
- •Navy plans deliveries of updated missiles later in 2026.
- •F‑15SA and F‑15K remain only F‑15s with Harpoon capability.
- •LRASM integration may give U.S. F‑15s similar anti‑ship role.
Pulse Analysis
The Harpoon Block II Update represents a significant evolution of the decades‑old anti‑ship missile, adding GPS‑aided inertial navigation and a low‑cost IMU borrowed from JDAM. These enhancements allow the weapon to execute complex flight profiles—sea‑skimming, waypoint sequencing, and a steep terminal dive—while also engaging static land targets. By modernizing guidance electronics rather than redesigning the airframe, Boeing delivers a capability boost at a fraction of the cost of entirely new missiles, preserving the Harpoon’s relevance in contested littoral environments.
F‑15SA operators in Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea’s F‑15K fleet are uniquely positioned to field this upgraded missile, giving them a rare combination of air‑superiority performance and maritime strike power. The ability to launch Harpoons from a high‑speed fighter expands the reach of regional navies, supporting deterrence strategies across the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and East Asian seas. As allies evaluate force‑mix options, the proven integration of the Block II on the F‑15 platform underscores the value of leveraging existing aircraft to field advanced weapons without costly new procurement.
Looking ahead, the Navy’s parallel pursuit of LRASM integration on U.S. F‑15E and F‑15EX aircraft signals a broader shift toward stealthier, longer‑range anti‑ship solutions. While LRASM offers superior range and low observability, the Harpoon Block II remains attractive for customers prioritizing affordability and proven performance. The imminent 2026 delivery schedule will likely spur export interest, especially among nations modernizing legacy fleets, and could shape future missile procurement dynamics in a region where maritime dominance remains a strategic priority.
F-15SA Development Aircraft Used to Test AGM-84 Harpoon Block II Update
The U.S. Navy used one of Boeing’s F‑15SA instrumented aircraft to conduct the final test flight of the AGM‑84 Harpoon Block II Update at the Point Mugu Sea Range
Published: 5 February 2026
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced the successful completion of the third and final planned flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update (HIIU) Obsolescence Update program. The test, conducted on 16 January 2026 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Point Mugu Sea Range in California, saw the Precision Strike Weapons (PMA‑201) program office working together with Boeing.
The test involved F‑15 12‑1002, one of the three instrumented F‑15SAs (Saudi Advanced) operating from Boeing facilities in Palmdale, California. The Saudi F‑15SA (along with the South Korean F‑15K) is one of the only variants that can employ the AGM‑84 Harpoon anti‑ship missile and its derivative AGM‑84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile‑Extended Range (SLAM‑ER).
Harpoon Block II Update
According to NAVAIR’s statement, the Harpoon Block II Update “demonstrated a successful Coastal Target Suppression mission against a representative land target, with all test objectives met based on preliminary assessments.” While the Harpoon was originally designed as an anti‑ship missile, the Block II version added the capability to attack land targets—a capability first demonstrated in 2001.
The weapon was launched by the F‑15 at approximately 12,000 ft above ground level, descending to an initial waypoint altitude of 5,000 ft and proceeding to the target area with multiple altitude changes to simulate a coastal engagement, followed by a steep terminal dive prior to impact. Using the GPS‑aided navigation introduced with the Block II, the Harpoon can follow a series of pre‑programmed waypoints, skim across the sea, and perform a terminal pop‑up maneuver before a steep dive‑angle attack.
An F‑15 carries a Harpoon Block II during a test on 16 January off the coast of California. (U.S. Navy photo)
When this variant was first tested, Boeing explained that the new capabilities were provided by incorporating the low‑cost inertial measuring unit from the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the software, mission computer, integrated GPS/INS, and GPS antenna from the SLAM‑ER. The coupling of GPS/INS with the existing radar seeker improves guidance to the target search area, which can be set together with “no‑fly” zones.
Testing of the latest HIIU variant—defined as a near‑total redesign of the weapon with refreshed internal components—started in 2025. The Navy planned three events to progressively validate system performance across mission sets:
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Mid‑2025: Verified guidance and aerodynamic performance.
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Late‑2025: Demonstrated engagement of a moving maritime surface target.
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16 January 2026: Confirmed effectiveness against a land‑based target.
The service added that system‑level flight testing for the HIIU Obsolescence Update is nearly complete, with initial deliveries planned for later this year.
“This milestone reflects the strength of the integrated government and industry team and their commitment to delivering reliable, relevant capability to the fleet,” said Capt. Sarah Abbott, PMA‑201 program manager.
An F/A‑18 carries the Harpoon Block II+ missile during a free‑flight test at Point Mugu’s Sea Range in California. (U.S. Navy photo)
F‑15’s Anti‑Ship Capabilities
The F‑15 Eagle was originally designed as an air‑superiority platform, later evolving into a multirole aircraft with the F‑15E Strike Eagle and its derivatives. Newer variants, however, have gained an anti‑ship role that is currently employed only by:
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Royal Saudi Air Force’s F‑15SA – equipped with AGM‑84L Harpoon Block II.
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Republic of Korea Air Force’s F‑15K – equipped with AGM‑84H SLAM‑ER.
These capabilities set the Saudi and South Korean fleets apart from the U.S. Air Force’s F‑15E, which does not carry these weapons.
Instances of the F‑15SA employing the Harpoon include a 2021 exercise with Pakistan, where multiple missiles were fired after a flight from Saudi Arabia to a location off the Pakistani coast. Qatar has reportedly considered acquiring the AGM‑84L Block II following its procurement of the F‑15QA, though it is unclear whether the missile was obtained. The F‑15QA is based on the F‑15SA and would thus share similar anti‑ship capabilities.
Even without Harpoons, the U.S. Air Force’s F‑15s may gain an anti‑ship capability. In 2025, NAVAIR announced its intention to negotiate a contract for the integration of the AGM‑158C‑1 LRASM (Long‑Range Anti‑Ship Missile) on the F‑15E Strike Eagle and the F‑15EX Eagle II. Compared to the Harpoon, the LRASM would provide a low‑observable, longer‑range anti‑ship weapon (exceeding 200 NM / 370 km) and is intended to give the F‑15 a flexible, advanced anti‑surface capability against high‑threat maritime targets.
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