Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will invest a further $8-10 million in the Javelin light trainer aircraft after the type completes its planned first flight in mid May. Preparations for the debut are underway at Aviation Technology Group's (ATG) Englewood facilities in Colorado.
IAI has so far invested around $3 million in the joint venture and hopes to offer a development of the low-cost design to potential military operators, such as the Israeli air force. The company's Lahav division is in the process of receiving full technical data on the Javelin from its US partner and is gearing up to produce the military variant in Israel.
The Javelin prototype will be used to evaluate the aircraft's performance and handling qualities, with ATG expecting the design to receive FAA certification during 2007.
Source: Flight International