<font size="+1">Mitsubishi/Boeing RF-15DJ Reconnaissance Fighter</font>

The reconnaissance variant of the F-15DJ deployed with <a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AC%AC501%E9%A3%9B%E8%A1%8C%E9%9A%8A_%28%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E8%87%AA%E8%A1%9B%E9%9A%8A%29 ">the 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron</a> as a successor to the RF-4E. It is equipped with two J/USD-1 reconnaissance system pods. Though development experienced some temporary difficulties, the test variant is expected to make its maiden flight in the summer of 2013, and mass modification of the variant will begin in fiscal year 2015. During the same period the development of the T-8 trainer, capable of F-15J weapon simulations, was commenced, and it was therefore decided that the F-15DJ's role as a weapons trainer would be diminished. Furthermore, eight pre-MSIP F-15DJs were selected for modification to the RF-15 variant, these aircraft were currently in use by units such as the Tactical Fighter Training Group (JASDF Aggressor Squadron), and it was also intended that removing them from fighter squadrons frequently engaged in combat maneuvers would also serve to extend their service life. In addition to the RF-15DJ, the RQ-4B has been deployed to the recently reorganized 502nd Squadron, resulting in a significant advance in overall reconnaissance capability. The Japanese Defense Ministry had contracted Toshiba to develop this system, but canceled the contract in February 2011 due to delays in completion and unsatisfactory performance. Toshiba asserted that "they demanded capabilities that were not included in the contract" in response to this, and filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Defense.

Typically, the two reconnaissance pods are mounted on the pylons underneath each wing, while a drop tank is mounted on the center pylon underneath the fuselage. A more practical configuration is distinguished by the mounting a conformal fuel tank (CFT) on the side of the fuselage as standard equipment in order to maintain flight range, as the mounting of a AN/ALQ-131 (or J/ALQ-12) electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod on the central pylon prevents the aircraft from utilizing a drop tank. Incidentally, the CFT is used with the F-15C/D imported from the USA, and lacks a hardpoint for mounting armaments similar to the "Dash 4" CFT equipped on the F-15E.