IAI and Aero to Pitch for OA-X With F/A-259 Striker

Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has launched a new version of the L-159 light-attack trainer aircraft, the F/A-259 Striker. New avionics and a wet-wing capability have been introduced into the concept trainer, which is being pitched for the US Air Force’s OA-X light-attack aircraft competition, despite the service down-selecting two turboprops for the experimental stage of the project. The USAF has already invited Textron Aviation and Sierra Nevada/Embraer to take part in an evaluation exercise with their Beechcraft AT-6 and A-29 Super Tucano, respectively. However, Giuseppe Giordo, the President and CEO of Aero, says the USAF “cannot afford the risk of flying with turboprops.” “We do believe that US pilots need to have the best assets in close air support missions. This is not a developmental airplane. It has been used in a real operational war environment and can perform many roles.”

The F/A-259 Striker combines the ‘robustness and effectiveness’ of its successful predecessor, the L-159 Alca, with the latest advances in avionics and aircraft systems technology. Using benefits of a wet wing, F/A-259 Striker provides ‘superior’ performance, ‘great’ maneuverability and long range. IAI Lahav Division general manager Benjamin Cohen states, “Our cooperation with Aero Vodochody offers the USAF impressive proven performance of the F/A-259 with new innovative IAI systems to provide customers with aircraft that meet their OA-X requirements. The F/A-259 is able to operate from unpaved runways and has seven hard points for any combination of fuel, weapons, or mission equipment, allowing smart weapons integration and standoff weapon capabilities. As an optional upgrade, the F/A-259 can be equipped by EASA radar and helmet mounted display. Another optional upgrade is air-to-air refueling, increasing the aircraft’s range and endurance. Advanced 4th generation avionics for the F/A-259 Striker has an open architecture concept, allowing future updates based on customer’s requirements and use of Real Time Data Link, supporting a high situational awareness capability. The advanced digital cockpit is equipped by two large multifunctional displays, electronic flight instrument system, and other features. Powered by a Honeywell F124 turbofan, the Striker has an avionics suite provided by us that offers advanced combat capabilities. IAI can also provide an Elta multi-mode radar if required”.

IAI’s New Anti-Submarine Capabilities for RPAs

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is upgrading its capabilities for the maritime arena with anti-submarine capabilities in its marine Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS). The new capabilities respond to the need arising from the discontinuation of the “Shahaf” manned Sea Scan maritime jet by the Israeli Navy and the growing use of IAI Heron RPAS for maritime patrol missions, which created a need in anti-submarine capabilities launched directly from the RPA. The maritime RPA, which carries a range of dedicated payloads, now has two new payloads for submarine detection – the Sonobuoy (acoustic detector) and the MAD (Magnetic Detector).

The Sonobuoy is a small, lightweight innovative sonar float which is hurled out of the RPA with a parachute. Part of the Sonobuoy submerges in the water and part of it remains above water, emitting and receiving acoustics signals in high seas. The findings are transmitted in real-time to the RPA’s control post. The MAD is a RPA-mounted device that detects and alerts on submarines through identification of changes in the magnetic flow (metal objects detection).

Elbit to Supply EW Suites to the Israeli Navy

Elbit has been awarded an approximately $85 million contract from the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD) to supply Electronic Warfare (EW) suites for the Israeli Navy Sa'ar 6-class corvettes that will be tasked with the protection of Israel's Economic Exclusion Zone. The contract will be performed over a 10-year period. The EW systems to be supplied are combat proven and include digital receivers, signal processing technologies and analysis tools that are all of an open system architecture, thus enabling effective operational capabilities while maintain flexibility to cope with both current and future threats. The latest configurations of those technologies were developed in close cooperation with the IMOD’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure and with the Israeli Navy, and have been recently declared operational after successfully completing intensive sea trials. This award follows previous Elbit Systems contract awards to equip all the Israeli Navy surface vessels with the Company’s EW technologies.  

Elbit Rolls-out Hermes 900 StarLiner

Elbit has commenced global marketing of the Hermes 900 StarLiner, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that features adverse weather capabilities and is fully compliant with NATO’s Standardisation Agreement (STANAG) 4671, qualifying it to be safely integrated into civilian airspace and fly in the same environment with manned aircraft. Concluding an extensive year-long flying schedule, the Hermes 900 StarLiner has been performing Civil Aviation Authority certified flights in Masada National Park, Israel. A series of the Hermes 900 StarLiner (known as Hermes 900 HFE in the Swiss programme) is currently being assembled for the Swiss Armed Forces and is scheduled to be delivered and integrated into Switzerland NAS during 2019.

Meeting the safety and certification requirements of non-segregated airspace regulations required all the components of Hermes 900 StarLiner to be designed in full compliance with STANAG 4671 and to incorporate the most advanced aviation technologies, including: cooperative and non-cooperative Detect and Avoid Systems, Train Avoidance Warning System, Automatic Take-off and Landing in near zero visibility, redundant broad bandwidth line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) data link and adverse weather capabilities such as de-icing and direct lightning strike sustainment. These technological enhancements allow the aircraft to operate in both visual and instrument meteorological conditions, and its powerful heavy fuel engine provides improved climb rate, extended endurance and higher ceiling and maximum speed. 

RADA Announces Radar Orders

RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. has announced an order of $4 million for radars. These were for the company’s software-defined radars which will be used in ‘today’s most advanced defence applications’. These include active protection systems (APS) for armoured vehicles, counter rocket artillery and mortar (C-RAM), counter UAV and short range air defence (SHORAD). A third of these orders were follow-on-sales from existing customers and the remainder was from new and ‘highly strategic customers’. These new customers are leading defence organisations and represent initial sales from which RADA expects further follow-on orders in the future.

Rafael and Lockheed Martin to Market Missile Guidance Kits

Lockheed Martin and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to evaluate potential markets and customer requirements for Rafael’s Smart, Precise Impact and Cost-Effective (SPICE) missile guidance kits. “SPICE is a leading air-to-surface weapon system offering US and international air forces operating Lockheed Martin’s platforms, as well as strategic bomber aircraft, an important complement to their existing operational capabilities,” stated Yuval Miller, Executive Vice President, Head of Rafael’s Air & C4ISR Division. “SPICE’s unique features greatly enhance the US’ ability to operate in contested environments. We are excited to engage in cooperation with Lockheed Martin to make SPICE available as a US made system, adapted to fully meet US standards.”

SPICE is a family of stand-off, autonomous, air-to-surface weapon systems, capable of destroying targets with pinpoint accuracy and at high attack volumes in a GPS-denied environment. Combat-proven and in service with the Israeli Air Force and several international customers, it employs a state-of-the-art electro-optical seeker with unique scene-matching algorithms, navigation guidance and homing techniques to achieve operational missions in adverse weather without GPS. The MOU covers the SPICE 1000 (453 kilogramme/1,000 pound weight class) and SPICE 2000 (907 kilogramme/2,000 pound weight class) precision guided missile kit variants.

RADA at the Heart of Rafael’s Drone Dome wins UK Tender

RADA says that its Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radars (MHR), which are embedded in the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Drone Dome counter-drone solution, will be delivered to the British Army soon. These systems will be used to protect from airborne drones some sensitive facilities and sites on which British armed forces are deployed. The British Army is the first customer for this new and advanced Drone Dome system. Several initial systems are being purchased, with additional potential for significant further orders which are expected to materialise in the coming months and quarters. The MHR provides 360-degree surveillance and detects the drones at distances of 3-5 kilometers. Signal intelligence system along with electro-optical sensors, provide additional layers of threat classification and identification, while RF jamming provides the soft-kill layer of this solution. Deliveries of this programme are expected to be concluded within 2018.

Rafael's SPIKE LR2 for the Boxer CRV

Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Defence Industry, has announced the selection of Rafael Advanced Defence System’s Spike LR2 as the Anti-Tank Guided Weapon (ATGW) for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV). The Spike LR2 will be delivered by Varley Rafael Australia (VRA Systems), the joint venture between Rafael and the Varley Group. In addition to the Spike LR2, VRA will deliver a range of Rafael products for the Australian market including the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) for armoured vehicles; the Tamir Counter-Rocket, Artillery & Missile (CRAM) interceptor for short-range Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD); and the Torbuster Torpedo Counter-Measure (TCM) for submarines.

Controp Partners with eCastle for EO/IR Solutions

Controp Precision Technologies Ltd. has partnered with eCastle Australia for the marketing of its EO/IR defence and homeland security solutions. According to Mr. Ra'anan Shelach, Controp’s VP Marketing, “Controp sees eCastle as a strong and committed partner in establishing our position in the country, marketing our products, and developing the Australian EO/IR market. Controp’s extensive experience and operationally-proven products – together with eCastle’s SME position as a Command & Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) integrator will help position our products as part of wider C4ISR solutions for protection of defence bases, Home Affairs and Australia’s borders and key infrastructure.”

SPEED-ER

Elbit Systems to Supply Naval Weapon Stations

Elbit has been awarded an approximately $173 million contract to provide Naval Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) to the Navy and Coast Guard of an Asia-Pacific country. The contract will be performed over a five-year period. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will provide lightweight, fully stabilised dual-axis Naval RCWS to be installed onboard a wide range of vessels. The Naval RCWS to be provided feature a 12.7mm machine gun and ammunition, Elbit Systems’ advanced fire control system and the Company’s modular electro-optic suite.

Aeronautics present it's newest UAS

Four months after Aeronautics group completed the deal to acquire Chassis Plans – the synergy of the two companies could well be seen at the AUSA exhibition in Washington DC. Aeronautics group presented it's most advanced Small Tactical UAS with long endurance and long distance abilities. Chassis Plans develops, manufactures and integrates operating stations for unmanned systems and computer equipment for military and industrial applications. Among its customers are US defence giants including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.

Aeronautics manufactures variety of Small Tactical UAS including Orbiter 4 that offers high transportability without the need for a take-off and landing strip. The Orbiter 4 UAS features advanced technological capabilities including: ability to carry and operate 2 payloads simultaneously, endurance of up to 24 hours, use of satellite communication, versatility without the need for a landing strip, Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR), cellular interception sensor that is fully operational from take-off throughout the mission until landing under GPS denied conditions, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Controp's advanced XR electro-optic payload.

CONTROP Launches the Tornado-ER

CONTROP has launched the Tornado-ER, an Electro-Optical panoramic scanning and automatic maritime target detection system.  The system is for coastal surveillance and protection and for maritime traffic control, particularly for dense waters. The system provides a 360 panoramic IR image up to the horizon of all maritime views.  The image is updated continuously - every 3 seconds - with automatic and simultaneous detection of any moving targets in the water. A small boat of 3x1 meters can be detected at a distance of 5 nm and more. The Tornado-ER includes two (2) Thermal Imaging InfraRed (IR) cameras that provide a real-time, panoramic image from short to long distances up to the horizon. The system enables the simultaneous detection of moving targets – including swimmers, vessels of all sizes, small vessels on the background of larger vessels, and small floating objects. These capabilities dramatically enhance the protection and situational awareness of coastlines, waterways, seashores, ports and harbours.

RADA Announces $5 million in Radars Orders

RADA Electronic Industries Ltd.  has announced approximately $5 million in new radar orders; the orders were for software-defined radars for counter rocket artillery and mortar (C-RAM) and counter UAV and short range air defence (SHORAD). All orders were from new and strategic customers. RADA offers Pulse-Doppler, multi-mission, AESA radars for tactical applications. These Software Defined radars introduce hemispheric spatial coverage with ‘excellent performance-to-price ratio’. RADA’s radars are ideal sensors for V/SHORAD, Vehicle protection, APS, HFD, C-RAM and Air surveillance with unique On-the-Move capabilities.

Rafael unveils Torbuster ATDS

Rafael has unveiled its new ATDS – active Advanced Torpedo Defense capability for surface vessels. ATDS is a ‘unique, innovative capability’ for surface ships, providing detection capabilities, locator sensors, and neutralisation capabilities for naval forces.  Based on Rafael's unique Torbuster underwater active decoy, ATDS provides defence against all types of acoustic homing torpedoes. Upon detection of an incoming torpedo (external to the system), the ATDS will launch a decoy from an external launcher. The decoy will propel itself to a safe distance from the submarine, and seduce the incoming torpedo by transmitting specific acoustic signals. As the torpedo homes in on the decoy, the decoy will sense when it is at the closest point of approach and self-explode, inflicting sufficient damage to the torpedo to neutralise it.

CONTROP’s iSea-30HD EO/IR for Latvia

Controp is to provide the Latvian Navy the iSea-30HD system to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities. The system was designed for various maritime vessels and is already in operational use by the Latvian Navy as well as other navies worldwide. The iSea-30HD features a stabilisation system that enables a stable, continuous and uninterrupted line-of-sight (LOS) - ensuring a very clear picture- even in the roughest of seas. This system withstands the ‘harshest environmental conditions’ including fog, salinity, and moisture. Offering a full solution for naval maritime operations, the iSea-30HD easily interfaces with other onboard systems, including the vessel's radar system providing slew-to-cue functionality.  The system comprises the payload electronics box, a Control Unit (CU), a display, DVR and UPS. As part of the contract, CONTROP provided the Latvian Navy a complete ILS package, including training, operator and technical manuals and spare parts.

Rafael’s 360 Degrees Multi-layered Defence Solutions Suite for navies

RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems has unveiled for the first time its unique 360° multi-layered suite of maritime defense solutions; these provide naval forces defence superiority against all modern naval threats, such as naval area defence, swarm attack defence, and torpedo defence, based upon years of experience and operational lessons in various naval arenas and scenarios, and integrating the company’s combat-proven technologies in all domains.

The multi-layered defence suite is comprised of a number of systems, including the following:

• C-Dome- Naval Area Defence System. Maritime Version of the Iron Dome Air Defence System

• Typhoon 30mm- C - Stabilised and remotely operated weapon system for guns up to 30 mm.

• Typhoon MLS ER/NLOS - Pin-point accuracy weapon system, based on assets incorporating the Spike missile, providing lethal hit capability of naval and land targets

• Protector USV - Unmanned integrated naval system for a variety of naval and security missions.

• Shade – Comprehensive torpedo defence solution for submarines

• SEWS-DV - Digital shipborne electronic warfare suite

• C-GEM - Shipborne off-board active decoy against current and new generation anti-ship missiles

• NEW ATDS - Torpedo defence solution for surface ships

• Torbuster - 4th generation hard-kill torpedo countermeasure

• Sea Spotter - Naval IR Staring and Tracking System (IRST)

• SEACOM - IP/VoIP Shipborne Communication System

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