For the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle, 2014 will be its make-or-break year. The aircraft had been the only competitor in the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) FX-Ⅲ (fighter experimental) competition for 60 fighters. But, in September 2013, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration said it was to restart the bidding process, with the winning aircraft replacing RoKAF McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms and Northrop F-5s due for retirement between 2017 and 2021. If the RoKAF reverses its decision, this year will see the start of intense testing of the F-15SE in an effort to meet the demanding delivery schedule. Boeing has advocated, since September, a split order for two fighters but that is not an option the RoKAF has used extensively.
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