The Israeli Air Force is one of the only air forces in the world capable of performing LOC-I tests on fighter jets for the purpose of research and development. After about a decade since last performing such a test, this week, the Flight Test Squadron of Tel-Nof AFB performed a first LOC-I test on an F-16.

LOC-I tests allow the IAF to examine and develop new flight configurations, which deal with the jet’s armament capabilities. In the past years, an operational need to develop new configurations F-16 configurations for Air-Air missions. The first test, which was performed last week, examined a new flight configuration for double-seat "Barak" (F-16C/D) jets. Capt. Dorin, the test engineer, explained that loss of control in-flight could occur in any activity which requires sharp maneuvers. When control of the aircraft is lost, it drops downwards, vertically, and becomes incapacitated, she added.

"The Flight Test Squadron’s ability to analyze an operational requirement and provide a decisive answer when asked if a certain flight configuration is safe or dangerous is an ability that only the USAF and we hold," said Lt. Col. Shlomi, Commander of the Flight Test Squadron. "Most countries don’t perform LOC-I tests on F-16 jets, and quite a few air forces test their flight configurations in other countries. In the world of flight tests, Israel requires independent and autonomous capabilities. There is no replacement for the response we provide in regard to time, cost, availability and precise adjustment."

Each of these tests requires a flight test engineer and test pilot. The test crew decides how to perform the experiment and builds a test plan that includes the flight scenarios and of course safety protocols. Before the flight stage, they analyze the dangers in the scenarios the system will face. Then the flight stage begins, and the system is tested in real time. "In the test, we examined a number of things: if the aircraft loses any of its natural immunity in the configuration we wish to achieve; if the aircraft tends to regain control after LOC-I; and how to easily regain control," elaborated Capt. Dorin.

After completing the first test on a "Barak," the squadron will now begin performing LOC-I tests on the "Sufa" (F-16I) jet in order to re-confirm flight configurations that were approved in the past. "We’re talking about a process that takes years," said Lt. Col. Shlomi. "Our motivation to achieve preparedness emanated from our desire to provide the IAF with an operational advantage by approving flight configurations. The IAF’s Flight Test Squadron must have maximal independent capabilities. We have the ability to test every aerial field the IAF and state of Israel need."

This article was originally published on the IAF website

BIRD Aerosystems, developer of Special Mission Aircraft Solutions (ASIO) and Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS), will present a live demonstration at FAMEX 2017, Mexico’s Aerospace Exhibition, of its proven ASIO solution installed on Ground Surveillance Cessna Aircraft, Special Mission B407 Helicopter, and Intervention Vehicles. FAMEX 2017 will be held on April 26-29.

The live demonstration will present a fully operational scenario in which all the operating teams share a unified overview and real-time situational awareness, significantly enhancing the security of borders, strategic sites, and infrastructure.

In addition to the ASIO solution, the company will also present the latest developments to their Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS). BIRD's combat-proven AMPS provides complete protection for hundreds of military and civilian aircraft against the growing threat of all known Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM), including MANPADS (Man Portable Shoulder Launched Missile). BIRD's AMPS is based on a patented concept implemented into the Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor (MACS). MACS performs confirmation of suspected incoming missile threats and ensures a near zero False Alarm Rate with maximum aircraft protection.

Both BIRD's AMPS and ASIO solutions are in operational use worldwide by various customers, including NATO forces, UN air operations, and the US Government among others.

Ronen Factor, Co-CEO and Founder: "By providing all team members with a unified situational awareness, BIRD's new ASIO solution ensures that the entire team, from field-commanders to decision makers, has an accurate and comprehensive situational overview as well as all the real-time information they need in order to make decisions."

A large-scale aerial joint training exercise, led by the Hellenic Air Force with squadrons from other countries including the United States, UAE, Italy, and Israel, was held this month in Greece. The “Scorpion” and the "First Fighter" Squadron, which operate the “Barak” (F-16C/D) fighter jet and the “Nahshon” Squadron, which operates the “Nahshon” (Gulfstream G-550) joined forces for the purpose of intensive, mutual training in a challenging and complex aerial arena. "The exercise combined many operational aspects alongside mental challenges," shared Capt. Emanuel, a pilot from the "Scorpion" Squadron. "All of the obvious elements entailed in flying in Israel are completely different outside of it – from the runways to the radio communication, which is performed in a language we are not used to. All of these elements make us operate in uncertainty, a fact which better prepares us for combat, an experience which essentially involves uncertainty."

Before leaving Israel for the exercise, the IAF delegates all participated in a preparation workshop. "We tried to focus on properly dealing with foreign experiences," said Lt. Aviad, a pilot from the "Scorpion" Squadron. "The aircrews performed exercises in which they communicated only in English and rehearsed complex missions in accordance with NATO combat doctrine."

The Spearhead of Aerial ATC 

This is not the "Nahshon" Squadron’s first international training exercise. The squadron, which specializes in aerial air traffic control, is world renowned for its capabilities. The squadron sent a "Nahshon" (Gulfstream G-550), which performed the Air Traffic Control for all the participating squadrons, to Greece. "Our air traffic controllers are the spearhead of aerial ATC and the deployment is an opportunity for mutual knowledge sharing with the foreign air forces. We are exposed to the way they think and plan their missions, an experience that greatly enriches us," described Capt. Guy, Commander of the "Nahshon" Squadron’s Operations Department. "The cooperation with the 'Nahshon' Squadron is a power multiplier for us," added Capt. Emanuel.

The "Elephants" Squadron and the "Desert Giants" Squadron also took an active part in the exercise. The “Elephants” Squadron, which operates the "Shimshon" (Super Hercules C-130J) rehearsed parachuting forces in deep enemy territory and in cooperation with the fighter division, faced SAM (Surface-Air-Missile) and Air-Air threats. The "Desert Giants" Squadron, which operates the "Re’em" (Boeing 707) performed challenging aerial refueling missions in accordance with NATO combat doctrine and in a foreign language.

Mutual Learning

A deployment of this scale is not a common occurrence and requires many hours of preparation. There is no doubt that the investment is large, but it also holds extremely valuable results, which cannot be obtained in any other way. "The first goal we set for ourselves was mutual learning between the participating forces," shared Capt. Emanuel. "Mutual work with them opens our horizons and challenges our creative thinking."

"When you participate in an international exercise, you have the opportunity to train with systems you are not used to seeing on a daily basis. The forces that participated in the exercise in Greece operate, among other things, F-4 Phantom and Mirage jets and SAM batteries that are foreign to us," elaborated Capt. Emanuel. "This is a unique opportunity which creates a high quality training exercise."

This article was originally published on the IAF website.

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), US Air Force Test Pilot School and Calspan Corporation successfully demonstrated manned/unmanned teaming to improve combat efficiency and effectiveness for the warfighter.

"This demonstration is an important milestone in AFRL's maturation of technologies needed to integrate manned and unmanned aircraft in a strike package," said Capt. Andrew Petry, AFRL autonomous flight operations engineer. "We've not only shown how an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle can perform its mission when things go as planned, but also how it will react and adapt to unforeseen obstacles along the way."

During the flight demonstration, an experimental F-16 aircraft acted as a surrogate Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) autonomously reacting to a dynamic threat environment during an air-to-ground strike mission.

The demonstration success included three key objectives: (1) The ability to autonomously plan and execute air-to-ground strike missions based on mission priorities and available assets; (2) The ability to dynamically react to a changing threat environment during an air-to-ground strike mission while automatically managing contingencies for capability failures, route deviations, and loss of communication; and (3) a fully compliant USAF Open Mission Systems (OMS) software integration environment allowing rapid integration of software components developed by multiple providers.

The two-week demonstration at the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, is the second in a series of manned/unmanned teaming exercises to prove enabling technologies.

"The Have Raider II demonstration team pushed the boundaries of autonomous technology and put a fully combat-capable F-16 in increasingly complex situations to test the system's ability to adapt to a rapidly changing operational environment," said Shawn Whitcomb, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Loyal Wingman program manager. "This is a critical step to enabling future Loyal Wingman technology development and operational transition programs."

Effective manned/unmanned teaming reduces the high cognitive workload, allowing the warfighter to focus on creative and complex planning and management. Autonomous systems also have the ability to access hazardous mission environments, react more quickly, and provide persistent capabilities without fatigue.

The US Air Force’s F-35A is deploying internationally for the first time this weekend, heading to Europe to conduct training exercises with NATO allies. The drill will involve deploying a “small number” of F-35As from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to an undisclosed location in Europe. 

The joint strike fighters will take off sometime this weekend. After landing, they will then spend several weeks in the region as part of the European Reassurance Initiative, the US Defense Department’s effort to strengthen military ties with European allies to help deter Russian aggression on the continent. 

Although the US Air Force won’t say where the F-35s will be based during their European deployment, one potential option is British Royal Air Force base Lakenheath, England, which is slated to be the first Air Force base overseas to receive the joint strike fighter. RAF Lakenheath will eventually host 54 F-35As, although the timeline for deploying those aircraft has slipped from 2020 to perhaps one or two years later, Col. Robert Novotny, then the commander of the base’s 48th Fighter Wing, told Defense News last year. 

[Source: Defense News] 

Three additional "Adir" (F-35I) stealth fighters landed in Nevatim AFB on Sunday and joined the two other jets, which arrived in December 2016. "The integration of the additional three jets is another stage in building the IAF’s capability, as a shield of the State of Israel," said Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboim, Nevatim AFB Commander.

The "Adir" (F-35I) is an advanced fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter. Its advanced capabilities make it a first-rate strategic asset for the IAF, the IDF and all of Israel. "As a young squadron taking its first steps in the operation of the ‘Adir,' this is a significant change," said Lt. Col. Yotam, Commander of the "Golden Eagle" Squadron.

The first two "Adir" (F-35I) jets landed in Israel in December of 2016, and in the four months that have passed, the "Golden Eagle" Squadron has clocked dozens of flight hours on the advanced fighters. In this four-month period, the squadron focused on training flights and flights intended to test the jet’s capability. Maj. Yuval, a test pilot of the "Adir," explained that when the acquisition deal was signed, the manufacturers said, as they did to all other buyers, that they recommend we test the aircraft. "As the aircraft is a final product, we do not test it in order to change it, but in order to examine and acquaint ourselves with its capabilities."

The arrival of the three new jets brings the "Golden Eagle" Squadron a step closer to the goal it set: initial operational capability by the end of 2017, only a year after the first fighters landed in Israel. The arrival of the three "Adir" fighters to Nevatim has significantly expanded the squadron, but it is far from the end. The IAF is expected to receive additional F-35 fighters throughout 2017, and in total, the Israeli Government has agreed upon the procurement of about 50 F-35I aircraft.

[Source: IAF]

"At the moment there are no talks with Xinwei," Jacob Keret, Spacecom’s senior vice president of sales and marketing for Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, told SpaceNews.

"The shareholders are still looking for a buyer. This has been done for the last three years. It doesn’t affect us on a daily basis as a company. We get used to this uncertainty."

"We are aiming to give back the Amos-7 satellite to AsiaSat at the end of 2020. This leaves us from today, three and a half years, which is enough time to choose almost any manufacturer. The price of the platform will be a major part of that. Each year that we are leasing the satellite for AsiaSat we have to pay $22 million, and our intention is not to use the fifth year […] if one manufacturer will take 36 or 40 months, this has to be taken into consideration."

The company's report to TASE reveals that Amos-17 is slated to launch in Q1 2019. The Amos-2 has reached the end of its commercial life and has been replaced by the Amos-7.

It is unclear why the negotiations with Xinwei were discontinued.

[Source: Space News]

Hundreds of defense officials, industry leaders, and aviation experts have convened today at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv for the premiere aerial defense conference of 2017 – the 2^nd International Conference for Air power, organized by Israel Defense and the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies.

The theme of the conference this year is "From the Six-Day War to the Fifth-Generation Era," emphasizing the memorial of the Six-Day War and Operation Focus, and the entrance of the Israeli Air Force into the Fifth-Generation.

Conference topics include the anniversary of the Six-Day War and Operation Focus the reception of the F-35 'Adir' planes into the IAF fleet, and relevant international lessons for the current reality. Highlights of the conference will include remarks from Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboym, Commander of the Israeli Nevatim AFB, and Gen. (ret.) Gary North of Lockheed Martin on the significance of the F-35, as well as other defense experts and speakers from the Israeli and international aerospace industry.

The 2017 International Conference for Air power brings together military officials (both Israeli and international), researchers, developers, project managers and force operators from Israel and around the world. The conference encourages public discourse regarding the field of aviation and space in Israel: public policy, national security, international relations and advanced technologies.
 

Lockheed Martin is being awarded a $10,800,000 modification to a previously awarded advanced acquisition contract for additional hardware modules and racks in support of the F-35 low-rate initial production Lot 11 aircraft for the government of Israel under the Foreign Military Sales program. 

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent); El Segundo, California (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Florida (10 percent); Nashua, New Hampshire (5 percent); Nagoya, Japan (5 percent); and Baltimore, Maryland (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2019. 

[Source: US Department of Defense]

Turkey has conducted test firings of domestically manufactured weapons from its Anka unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Defense Industries Undersecretariat (SSM) announced account on 28 April.

Images posted on both the SSM and Turkish defense ministry Twitter accounts showed the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Anka UAV carrying a combination of Roketsan MAM-L precision-guided bombs (PGBs), Cirit guided rockets, and UMTAS long-range anti-tank missiles. One image also showed the Anka to be equipped with the Aselsan electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor.

As noted by the SSM, this armed configuration for the Anka "will be on duty soon."

[Source: IHS Jane's]

"Our mission today is to connect the IAF with the F-35 Adir aircraft, as this aircraft represents new concepts, a new network-centric approach, new stealth characteristics, new infrastructures, logistics and maintenance procedures and intensive use of simulators," said Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboym, Commander of the IAF Nevatim Airbase, at this morning's opening lecture of the International Conference for Air Power held in Tel-Aviv, organized by Israel Defense and the Fisher Institute for Air & Space Strategic Studies.

In his first-ever public address, the Commander of the Nevatim Airbase, the home base of the new Adir squadron, said that the new aircraft acquired by the IAF has a low signature, stealth characteristics, as well as data fusion and information analysis capabilities owing to the numerous on-board sensors and systems. "By the end of the year we will have seven Adir aircraft and eventually we will have a fleet of fifty aircraft," said the Commander of the Nevatim Airbase. He described the Adir aircraft as a single-seat, economical (fuel wise), network-centric fighter possessing independent intelligence gathering and strike capabilities. "Even the technicians of the Adir aircraft train primarily on the flight simulator, while a 50% share of the aircrew training activity will be done on the ground, using the simulator. The pilot in the cockpit is exposed to a massive amount of data and information, the information is processed and enables him to make decisions during the data fusion and analysis processes."

Brig. Gen. Grinboym told the hundreds of conference participants that the personnel established for the Adir squadron is made up of the very best. "For a whole year, we had them sit down and asked them to think – to devise independent operational concepts, to think about the future of air combat using a stealth fighter. At the squadron's home base in Nevatim we do a lot of brainstorming and planning regarding the pilot training stages and the knowledge preservation. Most of the training activities are carried out on the simulator, which provides the pilot with a nearly one-to-one picture." Brig. Gen. Grinboym concluded by saying that the process of assimilating the F-35 fighters at Nevatim Airbase is fascinating, challenging and groundbreaking, and provides a unique and exceptional opportunity to the State of Israel.

"The information in the cockpit is processed mainly in order to enable prompt decision-making. At this point, I switch from data fusion to data analysis. While the F-15 pilot had to fuse a lot of information injected to the cockpit and made accessible to him in order to form a battle picture, the fifth-generation aircraft produces that picture on its own, thereby enabling the pilot to make decisions rather than to deal with the process of fusing and analyzing the data. We had put together a founding team. We selected the best of the best from all of the fighter fleets and placed them for a whole year in one closed room so that they may think up and devise new concepts, and we are dealing with capabilities and needs based on the understanding that there is a unique opportunity here."

"We are dealing with the task of connecting the fourth generation with the fifth generation. It would have been easier to connect the Adir aircraft with the IAF, but the proper thing to do would be to take the IAF and connect it with the Adir aircraft, with the new network-centric, stealthy concept that applies to different operating spaces and ranges."

Member of Knesset Avi Dichter, Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, stressed in his address the fact that the real, tangible threat facing the State of Israel is Iran. For this reason, the IDF must prepare itself for the most extreme scenario, which could include the launching of long-range, accurate missiles into Israel. The IDF must develop defensive and offensive measures and a high-precision, lethal strike capability. According to MK Dichter, Khaled Mashal is preparing himself for running, in due course, for the office of Chairman of the Palestinian Authority. Regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, Dichter said that the Iranians are developing an impressive missile capability, while as far as the Iranian nuclear program is concerned, the ten years of the nuclear agreement are not years of rest.

Boaz Levi, Head of IAI's Missile & Space Systems Group, said at the conference: "One of our key elements is innovation. We invest massive efforts in innovation that would lead us to the future generations of technology. We engage in integrative, multiple-system activities. The resources we acquired enable us to take systems, put them together and make one plus one into more than two. The systems we make are massive and there is a reason for this change. We are at the outset of a new era and our clients want the new systems by tomorrow, if not by today. We need to make a number of revisions and adaptations. Our sales now involve mandatory offset procurement. The industries must cooperate in order to offer more capabilities. We must build tools promptly and efficiently. We all deal with mega-projects that require quality. What can we expect to see in the future? Highly accurate, robust, multi-service systems with artificial intelligence, data fusion, unmanned platforms and fewer stand-alone systems that depend on human crews."

"The Government of Israel has not yet submitted to Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin a requisition regarding the CH-53K King Stallion future heavy-lift helicopter, but we are already at the stage of exchanging information, and this week we have already held a meeting on this subject with IAF representatives. We will be delighted to receive a requisition and submit a proposal. We will be proud to provide the IAF with a product like this helicopter," said Dr. Andreas Bernhard, Chief Engineer of the King Stallion helicopter project at Sikorsky Helicopters, a division of Lockheed Martin.

Dr. Bernhard delivered a lecture at the International Air Power Conference produced by Israel Defense and the Fisher Brothers Institute for Strategic Air & Space Studies and held a press conference along with Joshua (Shiki) Shani, CEO of Lockheed Martin Israel. This was an indicator of the imminent competition between the two aviation giants, Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin and Boeing, over the future heavy-lift helicopter of IAF that would replace their aging CH-53 (IAF designation Yas'ur) helicopters. Sikorsky Helicopters will offer the new CH-53K King Stallion helicopter while Boeing will offer their CH-47F Block-2 Chinook helicopter – a model that gained extensive combat experience serving with the US military.

Photography: Gilad Kavalerchik

The people of Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin stressed their company's 50 years of experience in the development, manufacture, and marketing of heavy-lift helicopters, including the veteran CH-53 Yas'ur helicopters currently in IAF service. Dr. Bernhard stressed, however, that the CH-53K King Stallion is a completely new, highly advanced helicopter. It is capable of speeds of 170 knots "and even more", some of its parts are made of composite materials, it can carry a load of more than 20 tons or 30 fully-equipped warfighters, and that number may be increased. The new King Stallion has three engines and a 7-blade main rotor. Its standard armament consists of two machine guns mounted at the side openings and a third machine gun at the rear. This configuration has already been test-fired. The helicopter is currently under development with test flights and trials already under way, mainly by USMC. 200 helicopters of this type will be manufactured initially. So far, in addition to prospective US clients, Germany has shown interest in the new helicopter and they are currently in the process of preparing their operational requirement documents. The German Air Force operates a Sikorsky heavy-lift helicopter model that is similar to the Yas'ur helicopters in IAF service.

Other features of the King Stallion helicopter positioning it as a completely new model: a glass cockpit with fly-by-wire capability, the option of Infrared and other countermeasures, and the blast-proof crew and passenger seats.

The new CH-53K King Stallion is an expensive helicopter at about US$ 90 million per platform. Responding to the question of the steep price tag, the people of Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin said that the helicopter they offer can carry three times as much cargo as the existing helicopters. It can be used for special forces operations, is capable of high speeds and possesses cutting-edge flight characteristics under such difficult conditions as fog or sandstorms. These characteristics enable clients to acquire fewer helicopters for their future missions.

Hundreds of defense officials, industry leaders, and aviation experts have convened today at the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv for the premiere aerial defense conference of 2017 – the 2nd International Conference for Air power, organized by Israel Defense and the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies.

The theme of the conference this year is "From the Six-Day War to the Fifth-Generation Era," emphasizing the memorial of the Six-Day War and Operation Focus, and the entrance of the Israeli Air Force into the Fifth-Generation.

Conference topics include the anniversary of the Six-Day War and Operation Focus the reception of the F-35 'Adir' planes into the IAF fleet, and relevant international lessons for the current reality. Highlights of the conference will include remarks from Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboym, Commander of the Israeli Nevatim AFB, and Gen. (ret.) Gary North of Lockheed Martin on the significance of the F-35, as well as other defense experts and speakers from the Israeli and international aerospace industry.

The F-35: A Unique Opportunity to the State of Israel

"Our mission today is to connect IAF with the F-35 'Adir' aircraft, as this aircraft represents new concepts, a new network-centric approach, new stealth characteristics, new infrastructures, logistics and maintenance procedures and intensive use of simulators," said Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboym, Commander of the IAF Nevatim Airbase.

"By the end of the year we will have seven 'Adir' aircraft and eventually we will have a fleet of fifty aircraft," said Brig. Gen. Grinboym. He told the hundreds of conference participants that the personnel established for the 'Adir' Squadron is made up of the very best. "For a whole year, we had them sit down and asked them to think – to devise independent operational concepts, to think about the future of air combat using a stealth fighter. At the squadron's home base in Nevatim we do a lot of brainstorming and planning regarding the pilot training stages and the knowledge preservation. Most of the training activities are carried out on the simulator, which provides the pilot with a nearly one-to-one picture." Brig. Gen. Grinboym concluded by saying that the process of assimilating the F-35 fighters at Nevatim Airbase is fascinating, challenging and groundbreaking, and provides a unique and exceptional opportunity to the State of Israel.

Member of Knesset Avi Dichter, Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, stressed in his address the fact that the real, tangible threat facing the State of Israel is Iran. For this reason, the IDF must prepare itself for the most extreme scenario, which could include the launching of long-range, accurate missiles into Israel. The IDF must develop defensive and offensive measures and a high-precision, lethal strike capability. According to MK Dichter, Khaled Mashal is preparing himself for running, in due course, for the office of Chairman of the Palestinian Authority. Regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, Dichter said that the Iranians are developing an impressive missile capability, while as far as the Iranian nuclear program is concerned, the ten years of the nuclear agreement are not years of rest.

Boaz Levi, Head of IAI's Missile & Space Systems Group, said at the conference: "One of our key elements is innovation. We invest massive efforts in innovation that would lead us to the future generations of technology. We engage in integrative, multiple-system activities. The resources we acquired enable us to take systems, put them together and make one plus one into more than two. The systems we make are massive and there is a reason for this change. We are at the outset of a new era and our clients want the new systems by tomorrow, if not by today. We need to make a number of revisions and adaptations. Our sales now involve mandatory offset procurement. The industries must cooperate in order to offer more capabilities. We must build tools promptly and efficiently. We all deal with mega-projects that require quality. What can we expect to see in the future? Highly accurate, robust, multi-service systems with artificial intelligence, data fusion, unmanned platforms and fewer stand-alone systems that depend on human crews."

The Battle over IAF Future Heavy-Lift Helicopter Heats Up

Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin held a press conference at the Second International Air Power Conference to announce that they were meeting with IAF representatives regarding the acquisition of the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter

"The Government of Israel has not yet submitted to Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin a requisition regarding the CH-53K King Stallion future heavy-lift helicopter, but we are already at the stage of exchanging information, and this week we have already held a meeting on this subject with IAF representatives. We will be delighted to receive a requisition and submit a proposal. We will be proud to provide the IAF with a product like this helicopter," said Dr. Andreas Bernhard, Chief Engineer of the King Stallion helicopter project at Sikorsky Helicopters, a division of Lockheed Martin.

Dr. Bernhard addressed the International Air Power Conference and held a press conference along with Joshua (Shiki) Shani, CEO of Lockheed Martin Israel. This was an indicator of the imminent competition between the two aviation giants, Sikorsky Helicopters/Lockheed Martin and Boeing, over the future heavy-lift helicopter of IAF that would replace their aging CH-53 (IAF designation Yas'ur) helicopters. Sikorsky Helicopters will offer the new CH-53K King Stallion helicopter while Boeing will offer their CH-47F Block-2 Chinook helicopter – a model that gained extensive combat experience serving with the US military.

Photography: Gilad Kavalerchik

Yosi Melamed, General Manager of IAI's Bedek group subsidiary, believes its engine division is the right place to maintain and overhaul F135 engines, "at first for the Israeli air force, but not only."

Melamed says IAI is ready to invest in the tools required to support the activity, but that this depends on reaching an agreement with P&W. Associated investment would also allow Bedek to maintain and overhaul future engines manufactured by the US Company for commercial aircraft types, he adds.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) – which received its first pair of conventional take-off and landing F-35I 'Adir' fighters last December – has expressed opposition to any plan that would require it to send the aircraft out of the country for maintenance, including the type's F135 engines. However, it would allow subsystems to be sent overseas to a regional maintenance center, such as one planned in Europe.

IAI already manufactures wings for the F-35 as a subcontractor to Lockheed.

[Source: Flight Global]

The X-37B space plane landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The X-37B had been in orbit on a mission designated Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) 4 since a launch on an Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on May 20, 2015. The US Air Force disclosed prior to the launch that the OTV-4 mission would carry a Hall effect electric thruster developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne and a materials science experiment provided by NASA, but did not disclose other plans for the mission.

"We are incredibly pleased with the performance of the space vehicle and are excited about the data gathered to support the scientific and space communities," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ron Fehlen, X-37B program manager, in a May 7 Air Force statement after the landing.

"Our team has been preparing for this event for several years, and I am extremely proud to see our hard work and dedication culminate in today’s safe and successful landing of the X-37B,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander of the 45th Space Wing, in the statement.

The 718 days the X-37B spent in space set an endurance record. Each X-37B mission has flown longer than the previous one, from a 224-day flight of the first X-37B, launched in April 2010, to the 674 days spent in space on the third X-37B mission, launched in December 2012.

A fifth X-37B mission is scheduled for launch later this year, again from Cape Canaveral, the Air Force said in its statement about the landing.

[Source: Space News]

Last week, a new generation of CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) Operators joined the IAF upon completion of a grueling 18-month long training period. The fresh graduates began their journey with basic infantry training in the Paratroopers Brigade training base, followed by a Special Forces medics’ course. They also completed a unit specific basic training period and commanders course.

As part of their special training, they rehearsed rope rescue and free diving, underwent a weeklong escape exercise, as well as a parachute course and counterterrorism training. In addition, the new "cats" participated in many SAR training exercises that included complex scenarios such as night extractions, extraction under fire and ASR (Air-Sea Rescue), all of which were performed from "Yanshuf" (Black-hawk) and "Yas’ur" (CH-53) helicopters.

Maj. Dror, Deputy Commander of SAR Unit 669, closely observed the operators throughout their training period. "The training period the operators went through was adapted to changes the unit has undergone in the past 18 months which include a renewed examination of our challenges, enemy, and technology and a comprehensive process of strengthening the unit’s capabilities," he said. "One of the outcomes of this process is an examination of our training period while regarding the shortened service period and the changing challenges which make our missions different."

Alone in the Field

When asked what he looks for in a 669 Operator, Maj. Dror answers without hesitation: "First and foremost, I look for warriors, with all that that implies; it requires mental and physical strength. We also require self-confidence and a feeling that they can deal with any situation. When they are scrambled to a mission, it means that every other option has failed and that they will have to solve the problem no matter how complex it is. I look for a composure that will allow them to deal with situations that require a swift transition from calmness to preparedness. In addition, our operators are required to maintain a very high professional and technical level. Everyone has to be at the same level of professionalism and technical proficiency. A 669 operator will always be alone in the field."

A new Capability: A Vehicular Evacuation Division

The number of missions the unit performs has remained relatively fixed over the past few years, and its operators are scrambled to rescue missions about once or twice a week. A significant rise has been noted in the unit’s involvement in the "war between wars.""The unit is involved in about 80 operations a year on the ground, in the air, or at sea."

The unit is currently undergoing a significant change, and a visit to its base exposes new operational capabilities: the unit has decided to establish a vehicular evacuation division in cooperation with an IDF unit, which specializes in operational precision off-road driving and day and night navigation.

The unit has established SAR teams which allow quiet and operational activity, with the ability to penetrate areas under fire. Each crew joins ground combat forces and assists them with medical attention, extractions, and arrival to evacuation helicopters. By doing so, the unit shortens the amount of time injured personnel spend in the field and shorten the amount of time it takes to get to a hospital. "One of our conclusions from a long line of rescue missions from urban combat zones is to spend a minimal amount of time on the ground. In a real rescue mission, every second counts and could lead to a helicopter taking fire," shared Maj. Dror.

Jumping to the Rescue

Another field the unit is expanding its activity in is the sea: it is developing ASR capabilities adapted to gas rigs positioned far from the shore and is also working in close cooperation with the Navy’s flotillas. In the past two years, the unit has developed the ability to dive into the water from the "Yas’ur" (CH-53) Helicopter without a cable, while decreasing the amount of time it takes to reach the rescuees in the water and expanding the number of SAR personnel on the scene. Simultaneously, the unit is preparing for naval PSAR (Pilot Search-and-Rescue) by acquiring parachuting capabilities from the "Karnaf" (C-130 Super Hercules). "The goal is for the operators to parachute from the aircraft to the rescuees and keep them alive until a helicopter arrives on the scene."

The unit is also involved in classified IDF operations beyond Israel’s borders as well as the development of combat and rescue capabilities in the underground arena. "Our most significant advantage is availability and the fact that we always arrive first to the scene, so we have to stay the most powerful force in the field. One of the basic dilemmas that every operator and young commander is faced with is issues of human life – should I try to rescue two people and risk losing them both or certainly save one at the price of giving up on the other."

This article was originally published on the IAF website.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is replacing its manned Sea Scan maritime patrol aircraft with Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) maritime version of the Heron 1 (Shoval) unmanned air system.

The IAF ordered additional Heron 1 UAV Systems equipped with a maritime radar and electro-optical payload that will make them more suitable for their growing role in carrying out maritime patrol and intelligence gathering missions on everyday bases.

The maritime model of Heron 1 consists an advanced electro-optical payload – the MOSP, made by the TAMAM division of IAI and the lightweight airborne maritime surveillance radar made by ELTA.

The maritime Herons will provide comprehensive protection of naval borders and strategic infrastructures to meet the operational needs.

Shaul Shahar, IAI's EVP and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group, said, "The Heron 1 has proved its capability to perform long-range, long-endurance maritime patrol missions. Thanks to its unique features and upgraded payloads, the Heron 1 provides a better solution for the maritime patrol mission than currently exists in the IAF." 

The Juniper Falcon joint IAF & USAF training exercise, which trained the Israeli "Hammers,""Knights of the Twin Tail" and "Flying Dragon" Squadrons, ended last week. This deployment of US forces is of a strategic and tactical importance, and its goals are mutual learning, strengthening the relationship between the forces, strengthening regional deterrence and preparing for the "Blue-Flag" exercise.

"Alongside cooperation on the diplomatic level, we learn from these exercises on the tactical level, and enrich both side's knowledge," explained Maj. Itamar, Head of the International Training Exercises Department in the Air Division. Maj. Itamar further explained that the exercise's leading Israeli squadron was chosen in accordance with the American squadron which was expected to arrive. "An Israeli squadron which operates a platform with similar capabilities to the foreign aircraft was chosen." Because the Juniper Falcon was an intimate exercise, the participants had the ability to focus on details.

Throughout the exercise, the participants faced multiple challenges such as a changing arena, various threats and the need to react as quickly as possible to any change in the field. "In the meetings that preceded the deployment each side presented the relevant threats to its country and the means at its disposal," described Maj. Ido, Deputy Commander of the "Hammers" Squadron, which operates the "Ra'am" (F-15I). "We created scenarios that promoted cooperation and fit both sides' training programs. We rehearsed sky defense under SAM (Surface-Air-Missile) threat and performed formation attacks in which each formation of four had its own mission."

What about flight mentality? "The Americans have a slightly different culture. If we wouldn’t have been familiar with it, we could have been surprised in some cases," shared Lt. Amit Bar El, Commander of Ouvda AFB's Control Tower. With scenarios like this one and others in mind, an American aircrew member was positioned in the tower throughout the deployment.

The lingual gap, different debriefing technologies and a different number of participating aircraft, make debriefing as difficult as flying. "There are three stages to debriefing: what happened, why did it happened and how can we improve," explained Maj. Itamar. "In exercises with foreigners the 'what happened' stage is longer than usual and sometimes becomes the whole point. We lingered on the content of the exercise in order to draw the best conclusions possible."

The "Knights of the Twin Tail" Squadron, which operates the "Baz" (F-15) also participated in the exercise in order to study the nuances of hosting and flying with foreign forces. In November, the squadron will lead the "Blue-Flag" International Joint Training Exercises, in which a number of foreign air force will deploy to Ouvda AFB. This deployment will be the biggest the IAF has led in the past decade.

"Throughout the exercise, we were exposed to the world of debriefing, infrastructure and flight scenarios in foreign training exercises. The 'Juniper Falcon' exercise was a good rehearsal for flying in English," shared Lt. Col. Nadav, Commander of the "Knights of the Twin Tail" Squadron. "The language gap is our main challenge because we are flying in our home court, in contrast to the foreign force which needs to get used to a different environment, but the countries' different rules and the use of a second language create a challenge."

This article was originally published on the IAF website

Leonardo is offering to sell its new training helicopters to Israel, with Elbit Systems being Leonardo's subcontractor in the project. US company Bell and European company Airbus are also competing in this helicopters contract, with their own advanced training helicopters. The deal is expected to amount to $350 million.

However, the report by Globes says IMOD's Director General, Maj. Gen. (res.) Udi Adam had ordered teams involved in the process to seriously consider the Italian option, because of a "window of opportunity" recently opened for a possible government-to-government (G2G) deal between the countries, in which the Italian government will agree to reciprocal defense procurement from Israel.

"The negotiations with the Italian Ministry of Defense and with Leonardo are reaching a peak, and the Ministry of Defense is making it clear that no deal will be signed until all its elements, including the reciprocal procurement from Israeli defense industries, are signed. The deal will be brought to the Ministry of Defense director general for approval only after the detailed negotiations for all the deals are completed," the ministry said.

According to the plan, the Israeli Air Force will receive eight training helicopters and simulator systems. The new helicopters are to replace the existing Bell 206 training helicopters (IAF designation Sayfan) which it has used since the 1970s.

[Source: Defense World]