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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 2601.PDF
Israel: countermeasures Lorica is a further development of Elisra's passive approach warning system, which equips the Israeli air force's Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter fleet and is being integrated with the service's new and modified Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbows. The design is in use on around 410 helicopters of 14 types, with operators including Australia, Canada, Germany and Romania, and is also being promoted to the UK. A version of the system is also in service with the Israeli air force's Lockheed Martin F-16I multirole fighters. Jamming Rafael is a leading supplier of electronic warfare and countermeasures systems, including the X-Guard towed decoy pro moted for large aircraft such as the Airbus Military A400M and Lockheed Martin C-130J. It is also developing the Top Scan radar warning receiver to provide accurate geo-location information on battlefield threats, potentially for targeting purposes. The Skyshield support jamming system, also in development, is designed to protect a formation of up to 20 aircraft without the need to field a dedicated jamming aircraft type. System elements have already been tested sat Israel's national electronic warfare range - run by Rafael - using an air force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. Once operational, Skyshield will provide 360° coverage in the l-18GHz range. Other safety systems developed in Israel include an airbag crash protection system for large helicopters and modular armour for use in helicopters and transport aircraft. Privately owned Plasan Sasa has fitted its modular armour system to Israel's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and floor and side armour for Boeing CH-47 Chinook transports for the Netherlands and the UK (Flight International, 6-12 July). • 46 7-13 DECEMBER 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com TERR • r SHIELDS Israeli companies are leading the way in developing countermeasures equipment to protect airliners from terrorist missile attacks CRAIG HOYLE / ASHDOD, HAIFA, RAMAT HASHARON & TEL AVIV Israeli industry has for many years developed sophisticated countermea sures equipment for use by military operators, with its systems protecting fighters, attack and utility helicopters and transport aircraft. However, Israel is now leading the way in equipping its air liners with a self-protection capability. This requirement emerged in the wake of a failed terrorist attempt to shoot down an Arkia-operated Boeing 757 departing Mombasa in Kenya in November 2002 using shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. 'Dark flares' Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta Systems sub sidiary will this month begin work to install its Flight Guard countermeasures system on an El Al aircraft, with a later decision expected to extend this work to the airline's all-Boeing fleet of 30 aircraft, which com prises 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 models. The modifications are expected to cost around $1 million per airframe, and will equip the aircraft with a missile approach warning system and "dark flares" to defeat incoming heat-seeking missiles. Israel Military Industries is teamed with Elta in developing and marketing the design. Long term, Elta is working on an infrared (IR)-based countermeasures system for air craft that will develop a detector currently in use aboard naval vessels. However, the company believes it will be another three to eight years before such technology matures, giving its Flight Guard design a short-term advantage over a second Israeli team now pursuing airliner protection deals. Elisra - in which Elta has a 30% share holding - has joined Elbit Systems and Rafael to develop a directed infrared coun termeasures system. Already selected for future integration with commercial aircraft, the Lorica design will use an eye-safe laser, have a low cost of use and a low false alarm rate, says Elisra's senior vice-president Menahem Oren.
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