Defence

ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES

The Javelin trainer, a joint venture between the USA's Aviation Technologies Group (ATG) and Israel Aeropace Industries (IAI), recently entered its critical design review. Certification of the aircraft - which is initially on offer to the general aviation sector in the baseline Mk 10 configuration as a very light jet - is scheduled for late 2008.

ATG and IAI will then begin the evaluation of a Mk 20 version aimed at the military market. This process will have co-operation from the Israeli air force, which has delayed the evaluation process for a new basic trainer to allow the Javelin team time to participate.

IAI will manufacture the Mk 20 version of the aircraft in Israel. It will be identical in size to the Mk 10 but with ejection seats and military avionics. The aircraft will be powered by two Williams FJ-33-4 engines and is seen as a replacement for an Israeli-built version of the Fouga Magister, with an expected price tag of $6 million.

IAI and ATG also plan to develop a Mk 30 version of the Javelin featuring more powerful engines and a redesigned aft fuselage, to be manufactured by IAI. This is aimed at replacing trainers such as the McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, Northrop T-38 and the Dassault-Breguet AlphaJet, and could also be used as a companion trainer for frontline fighters. IAI says the Mk 30 platform will have a unit cost of $9 million.

The Mk 20 Javelin is on offer to Australia and the USA for use as a companion trainer, while the Mk 30 is on offer to Singapore. ATG's first prototype of the civilian-standard Mk 10 Javelin conducted its first flight in the USA in September 2005.

Back to the military trainers review list