Israel 'close to deal on F-35'

Space War ^ | 6/24/2010 | UPI via Space War

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

After protracted disagreements, the Israeli Defense Ministry was reported Wednesday to be close to sewing up a deal to buy up to 25 U.S. F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin, which Israeli leaders believe is essential to counter Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program. According to the Jerusalem Post, the two sides reached an agreement on several Israeli demands to integrate Israeli technology into the aircraft. That followed a series of visits to Washington by the commander of Israel's air force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan, and the air force's equipment and procurement director, Brig. Gen. Kobi Bortman.

The final breakthrough came at the Paris Air Show last week when Israel's defense minister, former chief of staff Gen. Ehud Barak, Israel's most decorated soldier, met with top Lockheed Martin officials.

According to Israeli reports, the Americans agreed to allow the Israelis to incorporate their own electronic warfare and communications systems into the fifth-generation fighter, and to allow the Israeli air force to maintain the aircraft independently of the United States.

The Post reported that one of the Americans' "main concerns regarding the installation of Israeli systems was that it would require configurations to the jet's internal computer system and expose top-secret technology to Israel." The Israelis apparently agreed to bypass the computer mainframe when installing the systems.

Israel has made an all-out effort to acquire the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, because its range, striking power and radar-evading stealth characteristics make it essential to counter the S-300PMU air-defense missile systems Jerusalem fears Russia will sell to Iran to protect its nuclear facilities and other strategic targets.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Ping

[Sax]

Three F-35 promotional/informational vids on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10654822

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Thank you very much for the vids. If you have F-35 stuff (photos,YouTube)feel free to post them.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Thank you very much for the vids. If you have F-35 stuff (photos,YouTube)feel free to post them.

[SunkenCiv]

Zero is such a tease. Thanks sonofstrangelove.

[JSteff]

it would require configurations to the jet's internal computer system and expose top-secret technology to Israel."

Heck the Israeli's probably already are a subcontractor for important tech parts for the F-35. Either that or they will know all they need to know to modify them after they take one apart the first time.

Shortly after they do take on apart we will be buying their upgrades to the F-35 as it will be a better aircraft when their tech folks get to it.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I am very glad that you brought it up. Because, it was the sentence that stuck out of the article.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

This also stuck out: Israelis to incorporate their own electronic warfare and communications systems into the fifth-generation fighter, and to allow the Israeli air force to maintain the aircraft independently of the United States.

[JSteff]

Looking at their combat record, which plane would you feel safer in? An Israeli re-engineered aircraft or a stock U.S. made plane?

I know where my rear end would prefer to be in combat.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

IMHO,the Israelis.The IDF is considered to be one of the most high-tech armies in the world, possessing top-of-the-line weapons and computer systems. IDF has several large internal R&D departments.

[Timocrat]

Give them a discount and sell them fifty.

[KeyLargo]

F-35B - Taking STOVL to a New Level AVIATION PING

http://www.aircraftowner.com/videos/view/f-35b-—taking-s=ovl-to-a-new-level_1126.html

[mcshot]

Excellent. Never thought it would make it as followed the “pukin dog” line that costs would kill it. Now I only pray the pilots are pro US Constitution and citizenry and targeting otherwise.