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IAI Unveils Missiles-in-a-Box for Ground Forces Posted by Graham Warwick at 9/3/2009 12:48 PM CDT Israel Aircraft Industries has unveiled Jumper, an autonomous vertical-launch artillery missile system for ground forces, at a defense show in Latrun, Israel. Jumper consists of eight canistered missiles and a command-and-control unit housed in a 3 X 3 "hive" measuring 1.4 X 1.4 X 2m tall. No operating crew or launching platform is required, says IAI. Weighing in at 63kg, and with a range of 50km, the tail-steered missile is 1.8m long and 150mm in diameter and has GPS/INS guidance coupled with a semi-active laser...

PICTURE: IAI delivers Colombia's first upgraded Kfir fighter By Arie Egozi Israel Aerospace Industries has delivered the first upgraded Kfir fighters to the Colombian air force. The company was contracted in late 2007 to modernise 12 Kfirs from Colombia's air force inventory, and to provide several additional examples that had been stored at Israeli bases since the locally built type was phased out of service. Upgrade activities include equipping the aircraft with new avionics, an EL/M-2032 fire control radar from IAI subsidiary Elta Systems, and a new electronic warfare suite. The modified aircraft will be designated as Kfir C-10s or...

Israel Unveils Mini-Aegis Missile Posted by Bill Sweetman at 5/12/2009 5:54 AM CDT Israel Aerospace Industries is showing a full-scale mockup of the Barak 8 surface to air missile (SAM) for the first time at the IMDEX maritime defense show, which opened in Singapore today. Being co-developed with India, Barak 8 is also destined to equip Israel's next missile frigates, possibly based on the US Littoral Combat Ship. (A mockup without the full-length missile was on show at Euronaval last fall.) Key features of the 70 km-range Barak 8 missile are an active radar seeker and a dual-pulse solid rocket...

Antiship Missiles Engage Diverse Targets May 6, 2009 By Bill Sweetman Surface warfare is in the news as navies tackle pirates off the Somali coast. The impact of piracy reflects the importance of sea lanes to a global economy, and navies are reequipping to deal with high- and low-level threats. One result is the emergence of a variety of antiship missiles. DTI has covered Chinese, Russian and Indian developments, but the rest of the world is also responding to changing threats. At the U.S. Navy League exhibition in Washington this month, Raytheon Missile Systems will unveil an upgrade to the...

The NEFA Foundation has obtained an Arabic-language communiqué issued by the Political Council of the Iraqi Resistance (PCIR), an umbrella organization which oversees the political interests of several major Sunni insurgent groups in Iraq—including the Islamic Army in Iraq (IAI), the Salahudeen al-Ayyubi Brigades (JAAMI), Hamas al-Iraq, and the breakaway “Shariah Committee” from the former Ansar al-Sunnah Army.

Long-range missile set for launch test in Tel Aviv Huma Siddiqui Posted online: Friday , June 13, 2008 at 2225 hrs New Delhi, Jun 12 The long-range surface to air missile (LRSAM), which is jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad with second biggest weapons supplier Israel, is ready to go for launch test to Tel Aviv. The $350-million covered a joint Indian-Israeli development agreement in 2006 under the UPA government, to create a new medium shipborne air defense missile, based on the Barak system in service with both navies. According to sources, under the contract Israel Aerospace...

Low-Cost and Effective AEW Systems Find Buyers Feb 13, 2008 Bill Sweetman/Defense Technology International Airborne early warning and control (AEWC) has a reputation for being tricky and expensive. Boeing's 737 AEW aircraft for Australia, Turkey and South Korea -- one of the biggest U.S. export-only defense programs -- has run behind schedule and cost Boeing more than $1 billion in charges. The U.S. Air Force AWACS fleet -- described in 2006 as "falling apart" -- is finally budgeted for much-needed upgrades. Two systems now on the global market, however, are a step forward in affordability, and are making sales in...

Colombia mulls $200 million deal for 24 ex-Israeli Kfir fighters By Stephen Trimble Colombia is negotiating an estimated $200 million purchase of 24 ex-Israeli air force Kfir fighters to be upgraded with new electronic systems by Israel Aerospace Industries. The aircraft would replace Colombia's ageing fleet of 12 Kfirs and 12 Dassault Mirage 5COAs. The proposal comes as tensions rise between Colombia and neighbour Venezuela over the latter's disputed purchase of Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, but Colombia defence minister Juan Manual Santos says: "We are not expanding our capacity. We are simply replacing some elements that were very old for a...

Israel's IAI plans advanced missile tests By Arie Egozi Israel Aerospace Industries plans to test its improved Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile for the first time in late 2008. This will be followed in 2009 by the first launch of the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile, which is being developed jointly with India. But the Israel Defence Force has decided not to deploy the LORA long-range artillery missile, which IAI had hoped to sell to India. Sources say the Israeli air force was instrumental in the decision not to buy the system, which could have substituted for air power because of its long range....

Iraq. Click map to view. The vicious infighting between al Qaeda in Iraq and the Islamic Army in Iraq manifested south of Samarra in Salahadin province yesterday. The Islamic Army in Iraq, one of the largest insurgent groups which have allied with al Qaeda in the past, attacked al Qaeda in a village south of the provincial capital on Friday. Eighteen al Qaeda fighters were killed and 16 captured during the hours long battle, according to an Islamic Army commander. Abu Ibrahim, an Islamic Army commander in the region, told the Associated Press that he informed the Iraqi Police...

India mulls over combat aircraft upgrades By Siva Govindasamy India is considering upgrades to its Dassault Mirage 2000 and Sepecat Jaguar fighter jet fleets, with its air force looking to extend the life of these aircraft as delays continue to plague ongoing procurements and the induction of new aircraft. Upgrades to the 50-strong Mirage 2000 fleet are likely to go ahead first. New Delhi looks to issue a contract around the end of 2007 for the $1 billion programme that will upgrade the aircraft to Mirage 2000-5 standards, say industry sources. State-owned aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics and France's Dassault Aviation...

Israel to advance F-16, Black Hawk upgrades By Arie Egozi The Israeli air force is to enhance the combat effectiveness of its 125 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighters, to modify its Sikorsky UH-60 utility helicopters for attack duties by launching the Armed Black Hawk programme. Israel's F-16C/Ds are to receive the same avionics equipment integrated with its new-generation F-16Is, with this intended to boost commonality and allow the aircraft to remain in use until at least 2020. The air force says the upgrade, which has already undergone flight test using an F-16D, will also enable the older aircraft to carry new...

India, Israel To Co-Develop Advanced Barak Ship Defense Missile System India and Israel have agreed to expand their already considerable missile development cooperation with an even longer-range version of their extended-range Barak ship defense system, this time for the Indian Air Force. Sources from both countries say they expect to sign an add-on development contract by early next year, following last month's conclusion of a memorandum of agreement between Indian defense research authorities and prime contractor Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This was reported by 'Deccan Herald'. The new land-based air defense system will feature a range of 150 kilometers, more...

The largest Sunni insurgent group has severed ties with al Qaeda and its Islamic State of Iraq; Sunni religious leaders oppose al Qaeda The Sunni civil war in Iraq continues to gather steam. The Islamic Army in Iraq, the largest Sunni insurgent group which has previously operated closely with al Qaeda in Iraq, has severed ties with the terror group after several months of infighting, Al Jazeera reported today. Ibrahim al-Shammari, an Islamic Army in Iraq spokesman, "told Al Jazeera on Thursday that the Islamic Army in Iraq had decided to disunite from al-Qaeda in Iraq after its members were...

“WSJ”: Northrop Grumman proposes Israeli spy satellite to US military The IAI-built “Trinidad” small satellites cost $200 million each. Adi Ben-Israel 11 Apr 07 13:32 “The Wall Street Journal” reports that Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) plans to collaborate with Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) to propose lighter, more-flexible spy satellites to the US military and intelligence agencies. The project, which was code-named "Trinidad" during development and expected to be announced on Wednesday, reflects Northrop's drive to move beyond being primarily a supplier of subsystems for government space programs into the more influential and potentially more profitable role as a prime...

IAF receives largest Heron UAV - the Shoval The IAF will soon unveil the Eitan UAV for intercepting ballistic missiles. Amnon Barzilai 7 Mar 07 16:26 The Israel Air Force (IAF) today took delivery its first new generation Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI). The IAF has named the UAV “Shoval”. The new Heron is a qualitative jump in the IAF’s operational capabilities for the wide range of missions thanks to the UAV’s special features. The new Heron is a large UAV, the most advanced of its kind in the world, and able to carry...

IAF mulls further 'Arrow' deployment By YAAKOV KATZ The defense establishment is considering deploying new Arrow 2 missile batteries, in addition to the two currently in place, at sites throughout the country, including in the South, The Jerusalem Post has learned. On Sunday night, the IAF successfully tested the Arrow 2 system against a missile impersonating an Iranian Shihab-3 carrying a nuclear warhead. According to defense sources, the IAF plans to test an upgraded version of the missile called the Arrow 2.5 in two months. It is said to carry a larger warhead and to be capable of reaching higher...

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's Kurdish president backed his Shiite allies Wednesday by openly supporting a militia that Sunni Arab leaders have accused of killing members of their minority. Clashes in Baghdad and other attacks around Iraq killed at least eight people as the Sunni-dominated insurgency pressed on with its campaign against the Shiite-led government. The bloody wave of violence that broke out after the April 28 announcement of Iraq's new Shiite and Kurdish dominated government has killed more than 874 people. During the spree, more than 10 Sunni and Shiite clerics have been killed in apparent tit-for-tat slayings that raised...

India develops new anti-missile system A K DHAR, NEW DELHI, NOV 27 (PTI) India today unvieled an indigenous supersonic anti-missile system with defence scientists saying it had the capability to intercept incoming ballastic missiles thousands of miles away. Labelled only as AXO (Atmospheric Intercept System), the supersonic missile underwent its baptism when it successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface Prithvi target missile at an altitude of 40 to 50 km over the seas off the interim test range site in Chandipur in Orissa. "It is a new missile and not part of country's Integrated Guided Missile programme," top DRDO officials said on...

IAI and Gulfstream study tanker version of G550 By Arie Egozi Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Gulfstream are developing an air-to-air refuelling concept based on the G550 business jet. The idea is to offer a small, agile tanker that would improve the flexibility of aerial refuelling operations. According to IAI, the G550 would be able to carry 25,000kg (55,000lb) of fuel. If needed, full-size tankers would be able to refuel a G550 tanker to extend its mission. IAI says it is studying the concept in response to requests from potential customers. The company is expanding its tanker business and is...

USAF to purchase 20 Python 5 missiles - report This will be the first time that the US Air Force has purchased air-to-air missiles from a foreign manufacturer. Ran Dagoni, Washington 7 Nov 06 14:05 US defense news magazine “Defense News” reports that the US Air Force is to buy 20 Python 5 Full Sphere air-to-air missiles from Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd., for a F-16 fighter squadron stationed at Nevada. Should the negotiations lead to a contract, this will be the first time that the US Air Force has purchased air-to-air missiles from a foreign manufacturer. Sources at Rafael’s...

IAI to supply UAVs to Indonesia This is the first time that Israel and Indonesia have publicly disclosed an arms deal between the two countries. Amnon Barzilai 22 Oct 06 15:41 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) will supply unmanned aviation vehicles (UAVs) to the Indonesian army in a deal worth tens of millions of dollars. This is the first time that Israel and Indonesia have publicly disclosed an arms deal between the two countries. Defending his country’s decision to select IAI as the supplier of its UAVs, Indonesian defense minister Juwono Sudarsono said, “The people of Israel are the offspring...

Rafael close to signing $239m deal with Indian Air Force “Aviation Week”: Rafael will supply its Spyder short-range air defense system. Amnon Barzilai 25 Sep 06 15:07 The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in advanced negotiations with Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. and MBDA of France for a $239 million contract to procure the Spyder SR short-range air defense system. The Spider air defense system combines two types of air-to-air missiles developed by Rafael which have been converted into an air defense system. One missile is the Python 5, designed for short-range aerial combat; the other is the Derby, designed...

Israel fields armed UAVs in Lebanon By Peter La Franchi in London Operations in Lebanon and the Gaza strip are providing the first clear evidence that Israel has armed a number of unmanned air vehicles to reduce engagement times for time-sensitive targets. The USA is the only other nation known to operate armed UAVs. The air vehicles involved are believed to be Israel Aircraft Industries Herons, which have only recently entered operational service with the Israeli air force. The missiles carried are possibly Rafael Spikes, although this has not been independently confirmed. The Israeli defence ministry has not responded to...

IAI loses $1.5b South Korea AWACS tender IAI unit Elta Systems was disqualified because it lacked US export licenses for key systems. Ron Paz 3 Aug 06 17:27 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) and its Elta Systems Group subsidiary have suffered a heavy blow. The South Korean Ministry of Defense has disqualified Elta’s proposal to supply four AWACS plans, worth $1.5 billion. The decision leaves Boeing (NYSE:BA) as the sole proposal in the tender, and brings to an end the year-long prestigious head-to-head confrontation. The decision was taken during a meeting of the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)...

Boeing aims to beat Indian arms limits By Arie Egozi in Tel Aviv Boeing is evaluating the possibility of offering its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to India equipped with Israeli-made avionics in an effort to bypass the US government’s opposition to the export of some US-produced systems to the country. India is expected to consider the Super Hornet design for a new air force requirement for 126 new lightweight fighters, a request for proposals (RFP) for which is expected to be released later this year. The invitation for Israeli companies to participate in the project is also being based on the...

IAI hires Seoul PR firm in battle with Boeing The two companies are bidding in the $1.4 billion South Korean tender for early warning aircraft. Amnon Barzilai 3 Jul 06 19:04 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) has hired a PR agency in Seoul, to assist in it its battle with Boeing (NYSE: BA) for the $1.4 billion tender to provide early warning aircraft to South Korea. Local media representatives have been given information about Israeli technology as well as details of Boeing’s failure to meet the timetable on a similar project that it is carrying out for the Australian air...

Israeli-made targeting pod used to kill al Zarqawi Rafael’s Litening system marks the target, guides the ordinance with lasers, and evaluates damage. Amnon Barzilai 18 Jun 06 10:37 Abu Musab al Zarqawi, al-Qaida’s top terrorist in Iraq, was killed with help of Israeli target acquisition technology fitted onto a US Air Force F-16. Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. supplies Litening advanced airborne infrared targeting and navigation pod to Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), which installs them on combat jets under a cooperation agreement. The Israel Air Force also uses the Litening. According to a report by senior US Air Force officers, al...

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 India may buy advanced Israeli aircraft By Khalid Hasan WASHINGTON: India may be buying Israeli-made advanced fighter aircraft, according to Defence News, an online military and defence news portal. In a Tel Aviv-datelined dispatch, it said, “Fighter jets vying for India’s $8 billion Medium-range Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) programme may have to make room for a late entry: the Israel Air Force F-16I Sufa, or Storm. In an unprecedented move aimed at sharpening its edge over fellow US and international competitors, Lockheed Martin is eyeing the F-16I as a low-cost, high-performance alternative to the French Rafale,...

“Defense News”: Israel planning “Arrow Mark 4” Israel has asked the US for $58 million to speed up production of Arrow interceptor missile. Ran Dagoni, Washington 5 Jun 06 14:28 Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) subsidiary Elta Group, the Israel Air Force, and Ministry of Defense are designing components for the Arrow Mark IV, which will have qualitatively better performance than current versions. The Arrow upgrade is one response to the threat posted by conventional or nuclear armed Iranian ballistic missiles, says “Defense News”, citing Israeli defense sources. The Arrow Mark IV will have a new radar unit, improved interceptor...

Israel Considering Lockheed's Littoral Combat Ship Design The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a foreign military sales contract valued at nearly $5.2 million to conduct a nine-month Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) feasibility study for the Israeli Navy. Under the contract Lockheed Martin will examine possible modifications to its modified Fincantieri racing hull design, to see if it can meet specific Israeli naval requirements. This means examining its competing LCS design for hull, mechanical and electrical system compatibility with the Israeli Navy's combat systems and other requirements - especially important since the Israelis use a lot of indigenous weapons and...