The purpose of this survey is to provide a concise portrait of the leading Israeli defense companies and their products. This survey should not be viewed as an official register of Israel's defense industry (organizations like SIPRI exist for this purpose), but rather a general assessment of Israel's influence on the global defense industry.
Aviation, modernization, aircraft armament
In its Block 60 variant, the Colombian Kfir fighter was considered technically advanced enough to be invited to the Red Flag 2012 exercise, during which it won several training battles against newer aircraft. The Colombian Air Force received the last of 24 vehicles in 2011, but is currently looking to acquire several more from the presence of the Israeli Air Force.
The earliest Israeli forays into military aviation date back to the late 1950s, when Bedek began production of the Tzukit aircraft (based on the French Fouga Magister two-seat combat trainer). However, the first aircraft fully designed and manufactured by the local industry appeared in the mid-1960s as a short takeoff and landing Arava transport aircraft
At the time, it was manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, whose name was later changed to Israel Aerospace Industries, reflecting the company's activity in space since 1988, when an Israeli satellite was launched into orbit.
Today the firm occupies a large complex at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport. She specializes in upgrades and overhauls of civil and military aircraft. To this end, it has converted several civilian aircraft into transport aircraft and specialized military aircraft such as reconnaissance platforms, early warning aircraft and tankers. Along with aircraft conversion work, the Israel Aerospace Industries division of Bedek provides maintenance, repairs and overhauls of aircraft hulls and engines.
The only purely military aircraft of entirely Israeli origin was the Lavi fighter. The project was developed by Israel in the 80s, but was stopped under pressure from the United States, since they, although they participated in its financing, were at the same time developing the F-16 fighter and therefore saw it as a competitor in the export market. Two of the three prototypes have survived and are on display in military museums. Lavi, by the way, means "Lion", while the name of its predecessor fighter, Kfir, means "Lion Cub".
In its latest modification, the Mach 2+ Kfir is said to be a third cheaper to buy and operate than the American F-16 fighter and, moreover, has a smaller effective reflection area. Other benefits include broadband communications and proximity warning systems
KFIR - LAHAV
The Kfir fighter, created by Lahav (a division of IAI), is, in fact, a deeply reworked French Mirage 5, which was originally intended for sale to Israel, but fell victim to an arms embargo. To shorten the long history of Kfir's beginnings, we can only say that it was powered by the more powerful J79 engine from General Electric, also found in the F-4 Phantom. Kfir fighters have been in service with the Israeli Air Force for just over 20 years, but have also been exported to Colombia, Ecuador and Sri Lanka. In addition, several fighters were purchased by the US Air Force and the Marine Corps for use as enemy aircraft during exercises and maneuvers.
Over the years, Lahav has repeatedly upgraded Kfir fighters, but has recently developed a new set of electronics and weapons in order to bring the aircraft to modern standards. According to the company, for example, the new computer is more powerful than the on-board computer on the F-16 Block 60 fighter jet. Modernization proposals are intended not only for its current operators, but also for potential foreign customers, since Israel has a significant stock of aircraft with little flight time. These aircraft could offer an interesting alternative to some countries that need to arm themselves with a perfectly effective fighter jet at a reasonable cost. The Kfir Advanced Multirole Fighter variant, for example, was proposed to Bulgaria as a response to that country's RFP issued in 2011. But in some cases, the presence of a J79 engine can reduce its export potential. At the end of 2015, it was reported that Argentina had decided to buy 18 Kfir Block 60 fighters from the Israeli Air Force.
The cockpit of the Kfir Block 60 fighter with a multifunctional display, cartographic indicator, on-board computer and modern indication (projection of instrument readings) on the glass of the cockpit canopy
SKIMMER - LAHAV
The company's expertise is not limited to military aircraft. The IAI Lahav Skimmer Functional Kit is an upgrade package for transforming “simple” helicopters into maritime support helicopters. Traditionally, sea-based helicopters are not cheap, and the Skimmer kit is a means by which countries with an existing fleet of military helicopters can convert some of their machines for these tasks. The Skimmer upgrade includes the installation of a multi-mode long-range maritime patrol sensor, in this case the EL / L-2022M Maritime Patrol Radar from IAI subsidiary Elta Systems. Along with the radar, the Skimmer upgrade adds self-defense equipment, which includes a missile attack warning system, dipole reflectors, IR traps and radar warning system receivers. Other special equipment includes submersible sonar, optoelectronics, anti-ship missiles and aircraft torpedoes. All of these components can be combined through a combat mission planning and control system. The company places an emphasis on working closely with the crews of naval helicopters, as they actively participated in the creation of the Skimmer kit, which guarantees the optimal configuration for the tasks of naval support. This project may include reworking the hull and completely freezing the helicopter.
The first Colombian multi-tasking B-767 tanker, pictured, is fueled by the Colombian Kfir fighter. It is equipped with piping and underwing filling cones. The second aircraft is equipped with a retractable refueling boom.
Refuellers - BEDEK
Earlier, the Bedek company and its Tzukit trainer were already mentioned (Drozd, was in service in 1982-210, 52 aircraft were produced). Since then, this IAI division has switched to servicing and modifying larger aircraft, both civilian and military. Bedek specialized in converting airliners into tankers and specialized aircraft; the latter category includes aircraft for early warning, radio reconnaissance, electronic reconnaissance, maritime patrols and anti-submarine warfare.
Bedek is responsible for servicing all Israel Air Force transport aircraft, which have a fleet of Gulfstream, Hercule and B-707 tankers. Since 1969, Bedek has begun converting the B-767 into the next generation tanker, one already sold to Colombia and two to Brazil. The second Colombian tanker will be equipped with a refueling boom. To be precise, these B-767 aircraft received the designation Multi Mission Tanker Transport. This suggests that these aircraft can be used not only for air refueling, but by installing various modules, they can carry cargo, people, carry out medical evacuation and even secret reconnaissance missions. Bedek also specializes in so-called small tactical tankers based on the G550, C5000 and B-737.
The main contractor of the G550-based Caew early warning aircraft is Elta (a division of IAI)
EITAM - IAI ELTA
IAI's newest early warning aircraft (AWACS) is the Eitam based on the Gulfstream G550, which replaced Phalcon based on the B-707. It is also known by the designation CAEW, in which the letter C (conformal) means that this aircraft has a more streamlined sensor layout compared to the Phalcon. The Phalcon AWACS aircraft, on which the Elta EL / M-2075 radars were installed from the very beginning, is no longer in service with Israel. There are only systems officially sold abroad, for example in Chile, where it is known as Condor.
The Eitam AWACS aircraft, based on the G550, has greater operational flexibility while significantly reducing operating costs compared to its predecessor, as well as a maximum flight duration of 9 hours in the patrol area at a distance of 100 nautical miles from the base. Eitam has an EL / M-2085 active phased array radar from Elta. Israel operates five aircraft, and it has also been sold overseas (at the moment, presumably four) to Singapore and Italy (two). In Israel, at least, Bedek has been entrusted with servicing Eitam aircraft.
Air-to-surface missiles
The Rafael Spice 250 glide bomb has a range of 100 km. When installed with a quad launcher, the F-16 fighter can carry 16 of these bombs to destroy ground targets
The Israeli company Rafael is associated primarily with guided and unguided missiles, and has developed numerous weapons systems since its founding in 1948, although Israel Military Industries, whose main activity is ground-based systems, has also been a supplier and exporter of missiles of the " air-to-ground"
One of the systems that has gained great prominence is undoubtedly the large 1360 kg Popeye aircraft missile with TV and infrared guidance, which entered service in 1985. It is also known as Have Nap AGM-142 in the United States. Since then, Rafael has focused on developing numerous new systems tailored to today's needs.
SPICE 2000 - RAFAEL
Rafael, based on the guidance kit, has developed a family of air-to-ground autonomous weapons launched out of the reach of enemy air defense systems and designated Spice (Smart, Precise Impact and Cost-Effective - intelligent, accurate, inexpensive). After launch, a guided gliding bomb with a Spice kit flies into the designated area using inertial / GPS guidance. At the guidance stage, the system determines the location of the target using the scene comparison technology (stored in memory images with reference to the terrain) and then relies on its tracking device before hitting the target, while the azimuth and meeting angles with the target are set in advance in order to inflict on it maximum damage.
The Spice 2000 kit (compatible with warheads weighing 2,000 pounds, such as MK-84, RAP2000 or BLU-109) comes in the form of a front and rear section and allows you to deliver the warhead to a range of 60 km with a declared circular probable deviation (CEP) of less than three meters … The Spice 1000 wing kit, designed for such warheads as MK-83, RAP1000 or BLU-110, further increases the range to "previously unattainable values."
The newest member of the Spice 250 family is equipped with an electro-optical seeker (GOS), developed for the previous variants of the family. The new guided bomb is launched from the Smart Quad Rack. Each pylon thus carries up to four missiles, and one F-16 fighter can carry up to 16 bombs. The launcher has a data transmission channel for receiving navigation data after launch, as well as demonstrating combat defeat due to the last picture before striking the target. The 250 model, also equipped with a set of fenders, has a range of 100 km. All Spice variants are in service or ordered, and some already have successful combat experience.
The 15 kg laser-guided Whip Shot missile is intended for use by light aircraft. IMI is in contact with various manufacturers of light air platforms, offering its Whip Shot missile as a standard weapon system
The newest option in the IMI portfolio is the Mars 500 kg supersonic guided missile
DELILAH AL - IMI
The Delilah AL air-to-ground turbojet missile, developed by the Advanced Systems Division, is in service with the Israeli army so far. Specially designed to combat moving targets, this rocket is 2.71 meters long, with a wingspan of 1.15 meters and weighs 187 kg, and has a maximum range of 250 km. The missile reaches the target area and then loiters there for more than 20 minutes in order to determine the priority target with the help of the opto-electronic seeker, after which it strikes it with great accuracy. The Delilah missile can climb, go around and re-attack its target and can communicate with the operator until the last stage of the attack. This weapon system was used as a base for the development of launch options from helicopters, ships and ground installations. At the same time, an accelerating engine is added, which increases the starting weight to 230 kg and the length to 3.2 meters, but the technical characteristics are preserved. Delilah AL is currently part of the armament complex of the two-seat attack aircraft of the Israeli Air Force.
MARS and WHIPSHOT - IMI
IMI recently completed the development of the Mars (Multi-Purpose, Air-launched Rocket System) supersonic rocket for its fighter. A homing missile with a length of 4.4 meters, a range of 100 km and a mass of 500 kg (120 kg is assigned to the warhead) is equipped with a GPS navigation system. For light attack aircraft, IMI has developed an “affordable” 15 kg Whip Shot system, which is guided from an aircraft via a wireless data link; the optoelectronic system of this missile's capture accompanies the target until the moment of impact.
Air defense
Target interception with the Tamir missile of the Iron Dome complex
While other companies such as IAI and Elta are heavily involved in Israel's air defense programs (the latter is known for its radars), Rafael remains an important actor in a number of projects that have gained international recognition, despite being limited only to Israel
IRON DOME - RAFAEL
The Iron Dome complex gained worldwide fame in November 2012 when it intercepted missiles launched from the Gaza Strip by the paramilitary organization Hamas with great success. The need for a project like the Iron Dome was first talked about in the 90s after the launch of missile attacks by the Lebanese group Hezbollah in northern Israel. Ideas for an anti-missile system, which had been in the air for some time, in 2004 ultimately materialized in what became known as the Iron Dome. The emergence of this system is in no small part due to the then head of the Israeli Army Research Directorate, General Daniel Gold, who was a fierce supporter of the surface-to-air missile system. Two years later, during the second Lebanese war in 2006, the need for such a system increased significantly. Then Hezbollah fired about 4,000 rockets at northern Israel, which killed 44 Israelis; in addition, 250,000 people were evacuated during the conflict. However, northern Israel was not the only area affected by brutal missile attacks. From 2000 to 2008, Hamas frequently fired rockets and mines from the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, and about 12,000 such attacks were carried out. Finally, in February 2007, the Iron Dome complex was selected as a platform for combating unguided short-range missiles, thus giving the green light to the development of Rafael.
The development and procurement of the Iron Dome was co-financed by Israel and the United States. Israel funded the first two systems, and the next eight were funded by the United States. Over the years, Washington made a number of financial commitments to support the Iron Dome complex. In May 2010, Congress voted to provide $ 205 million for the purchase of Iron Dome batteries. In May 2012, an additional $ 680 million was allocated. And in June 2012, the US Senate Armed Services Committee included an additional $ 210 million in the financing plan for the complex.
And what were all these huge funds paid for? According to Rafael, the Iron Dome complex can intercept missiles at ranges of up to 70 km. In addition, during the tests of the system, mortar mines were also intercepted. The Iron Dome's effectiveness was amply demonstrated at the end of 2012, when it managed to shoot down three of its four missiles over Tel Aviv. It is important to note that the architecture of the Iron Dome is designed in such a way that the complex avoids intercepting missiles, which, according to calculations, fly into uninhabited areas, and, among other things, it is effective in combating both serial missile launches and single projectiles. For example, out of 1,500 missiles fired in November 2012, 500 were intercepted, while the rest fell harmlessly in the desert or into the sea.
The Iron Dome complex includes a Tamir interceptor missile, a command center, a launcher and an EL / M-2084 surveillance, tracking and guidance radar from Israel Aerospace Industries Elta Systems (described below). One radar and one control center can serve two missile launchers. The radar indicates the target coordinates to the Tamir missile and provides data updates during flight, although the anti-missile has its own radar and independently intercepts the target at the final stage.
The Israeli Air Force is currently armed with nine Iron Dome batteries. The funding (as already noted, a significant portion has been provided by the United States) provides for the purchase of a total of 15 systems.
The latest news regarding the Iron Dome complex. On May 18, 2016, information appeared about the successful tests of the sea-based Iron Dome missile defense system, which received the designation C-Dome. The tests were carried out in February 2016. The C-Dome naval missile defense system was first unveiled in October 2014 at the Euronaval naval arms exhibition in Paris.
Rafael's Iron Dome complex rose to fame in late 2012 when it successfully intercepted missiles fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel by Palestinian militias. The system saved many lives by intercepting these missiles
The rocket of the Iron Dome Tamir complex was presented at the Eurosatory 2008 exhibition
The Rafael David's Sling missile system is designed to combat short-range missiles and traditional air threats
DAVID'S SLING - RAFAEL
The Iron Dome is complemented by the David's Sling missile defense system, also developed by Rafael. According to a company spokesman, it is designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles, traditional air threats and "anything that flies in the atmosphere that is not intercepted by the Iron Dome complex." The David's Sling complex, developed with the assistance of the American company Raytheon, includes an EL / M-2084 radar from IAI Elta Systems, a Stunner anti-missile missile, appropriate launchers and a fire control center. The Stunner is a direct-action anti-missile missile with a bidirectional data link. The Stunner anti-missile system has a radar and optoelectronic guidance system and has an effective range of 70 to 250 km. This means the Stunner can intercept threats that the Tamir anti-missile missile cannot intercept (see above). Rafael won a contract for the development of the David’s Sling complex in 2006 and the American Raytheon, according to some reports, provided invaluable assistance in the development of the launcher. If the Iron Dome complex has proven itself in the fight against short-range threats, then the David's Sling complex is to intercept high-altitude targets at a greater distance, such as, for example, ballistic missiles developed as part of Iran's secret weapons of mass destruction program. According to the manufacturer, the deployment of the David's Sling complex will be completed in 2016.
The characteristic shape of the bow of the Stunner anti-missile missile, which is part of the David's Sling complex
The demonstration of the Spyder complex at the Paris Air Show 2015 indicates that Rafael is taking part in programs for creating short-range air defense systems using existing Derby and Python air-launched missiles. The bottom photo shows a Derby rocket (bottom) and a Python-5 rocket.
BARAK-8 - IAI
Thanks to the work on the David’s Sling and Iron Dome missile defense systems, Israel has become one of the few developers of missile technology and entered the club of the technologically advanced United States, Europe and Russia. While both systems described above are designed for ground-based air defense, Israeli companies also produce naval air defense systems. For example, Israel Aerospace Industries has teamed up with the Indian defense development organization DRDO to create the Barak-8 shipborne anti-aircraft missile.
The development of an anti-aircraft missile system began in 2007 after the signing of a joint development contract worth $ 330 million with equal funding from the two countries. The Barak-8 comes in two versions: land-based and ship-based. The shipborne version has a range of 70 km and a ceiling of 16,000 meters, while a ground-launched missile has a range of 120 km. The missile can reach speeds of up to 4.5 Mach numbers and destroy its target using a high-explosive fragmentation pre-fragmented warhead weighing 60 kg with a laser fuse. In the Indian Navy, the missile can be deployed on missile destroyers of the Kolkata project, where it will be combined with the long-range surface-to-air missile Barak-1 and the IAI Elta EL / M-2248 MF-STAR air surveillance, tracking and guidance radar in the ship's armament complex.
Israel has joined forces with India to develop the Barak-8 shipborne anti-aircraft missile. The missile with a range of about 70 km will enter the armament complex of missile destroyers of the Kolkata project of the Indian fleet
ARROW-II / III - IAI
Israel's Arrow missile defense program began in the 1980s with the goal of combating ballistic threats that were emanating from Iraq at the time. The Arrow complex was put on operational duty in 2000. The main contractor for the entire Arrow program was IAI (as in some programs of the already mentioned missile systems), and the American side, in particular Boeing, provided assistance in the development. The cooperation began in 1986 after Israel and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the sharing of financial risks between the two countries.
The Arrow initiative went through several stages: the initial version of the Arrow-1 passed several flight tests in the 90s, where it reportedly reached a range of 50 km. Development continued and the Arrow-1 variant was further developed into the next variant, the Arrow-II. Tests of this missile have shown its ability to hit a target missile at a range of 100 km. The development process culminated in the production of the first Arrow-II division, the readiness of which was announced at the turn of the century. Since then, the Arrow-II has undergone several improvements (or in foreign terminology "Block"), including the Arrow-II Block-II variant, which could already shoot down targets at an altitude of 60 km, and the Arrow-II Block-III variant, the tests of which were demonstrated the ability to operate as a dispersed weapon system with separate Arrow launchers working to destroy a common target. Later, after refinement, the system received the designation Arrow-II Block-IV, after which it became capable of shooting down Iranian medium-range ballistic missiles (1930 km) Shahab-3. Finally, the Arrow-II Block-V variant combined the capabilities of the Arrow-II and Arrow-III variants (see below). Currently, the Arrow complex includes the Arrow-II anti-missile, which is capable of intercepting targets in the atmospheric and extra-atmospheric trajectory. The Arrow anti-missile system includes four mobile launchers of 6 missiles each, a launch control point, a command post, an EL-2080 Green Pine early warning and fire control radar from IAI Elta.
Anti-missile Arrow
Since 2006, during atmospheric and extra-atmospheric tests, the Arrow-II interceptor missile has shot down 100% of typical ballistic missile targets. The development of the Arrow-III extra-atmospheric interceptor missile is currently ongoing. To date, the only test launch of the Arrow-III antimissile has been carried out in February 2013. If Arrow-II can provide protection at the level of a theater of war, then the complex in the Arrow-III variant can provide strategic protection at the national level. The theory of the Arrow-III's combat use provides for the loitering of the anti-missile after launching for some time in space, after which, when a missile is detected, the anti-missile strikes directly on the target. Arrow-III can use the launchers and control room of the previous version of Arrow-II; the Arrow-III rocket will enter service in 2018.
Although the Arrow missile defense system was conceived back in the 80s, it has performed several successful test interceptions. IAI is currently working on the next Arrow-III.
Elta ELM-2084 radar undergoes factory pre-shipment to Iron Dome
RADAR - ELTA
The main manufacturer of Israel's radar stations is a division of Israel Aerospace Industries, Elta Systems, abbreviated as IAI Elta. This company supplies the EL / M-2084 multitasking radar for the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems. This 3D active phased array (AFAR) radar performs either a 120 ° scan of each sector or a full 360 ° circular scan at 30 rotations per minute. When operating in the air monitoring mode, the radar can detect targets at ranges up to 474 km and at altitudes up to 30.5 km. When operating in the mode of determining the location of weapons complexes, it detects targets at a distance of 100 km. The radar can detect and track up to 1200 targets in air defense mode and up to 200 targets per minute when determining the location of weapons.
The Elta EL / M-2080 Green Pine airspace surveillance radar is relatively larger than the EL / M-2084 model. This low-frequency radar with AFAR has a range of up to 500 km. It is used in the Arrow family of complexes and was sold to India in addition to Israel. Elta, in addition to producing ground-based radars, also manufactures the MFSTAR family of marine surveillance radars. It includes a three-dimensional radar with AFAR EL / M-2258 Alpha (Advanced Lightweight Phased Array Radar), which can detect low-flying missiles at a range of 25 km and traditional threats at high altitudes at ranges up to 120 km. The 700 kg shipborne Alpha radar covers 360 ° in azimuth and 70 ° in elevation. The Alpha is complemented by the Elta EL / M-2248 fixed shipborne radar, also part of the MFSTAR family. This flat-panel radar with AFAR with an electronically guided beam is installed on the corvettes of the Sa'ar project of the Israeli Navy. The integration of the new radar on board the ship takes several months. Reduced antenna side-lobes and frequency agility protect these radars from countermeasures.
RADAR - RADA ELECTRONICS
Although IAI Elta is the largest manufacturer of radar systems in the country, there are other firms producing high-performance equipment as well. These include Rada Electronics, which offers CHR and MHR radars. These are programmable multitasking surveillance radars using antennas with AFAR. Radars can track and scan targets in any direction in the +/- 40 ° sector in azimuth. Several radars can be used to provide a 360 ° all-round view. The MHR family includes RPS-40 (enemy fire detection), RPS-42 (tactical aerial reconnaissance) and RHS-44 (ground and air border violation). The CHR radar is part of the Iron Fist active protection complex from Israel Military Industries. A time-division radar can simultaneously generate streams of pulses and monitor multiple targets, for example, detecting mortar fire, and then detecting drones with switching within a few milliseconds.
SPARROWS - RAFAEL
Although not related to air-to-ground weapons, the Sparrow family of air-launched target missiles is worth mentioning here, as they are used to test missile defense systems not only by Israel, but also by other countries. The Black, Blue and Silver Sparrow models simulate short-range ballistic missiles, respectively Scud-B, Scud-C / D and Shibab. Sparrow missiles have a length of 4, 85 to 8, 39 meters and a launch mass of 1275 to 3130 kg. They were used, for example, in tests of the Samp / T missile system (based on the Aster) of the MBDA company.
Anti-aircraft missile system Red Sky-2
Close air defense and IMI company
Although IMI does not manufacture surface-to-air weapons, its portfolio includes a passive system called Red Sky-2, which significantly improves the effectiveness of man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems, thanks to an infrared sensor that performs surveillance and detection functions. The scanner has a maximum operating range in ideal conditions (the weather conditions and the targets themselves affect the IR systems) over 15 km, the field of view in azimuth is 8, 3 ° and in elevation 11 °. At a scan rate of 36 ° / s, the system's field of view is 360 ° in azimuth and ± 25 ° in elevation, but the scan sectors can be programmed from 30 ° to 180 ° in azimuth and from 11 ° to 22 ° in elevation. The scanner is mounted on a tripod and provides target data to the target tracking device and launcher, which has a thermal imaging camera with instant magnification and a laser rangefinder. The launcher with two missiles is mounted on a tripod providing 360 ° azimuth and –10 ° / + 70 ° elevation angles. A typical forward base defense scheme includes three launchers and one scanner, each setting covering approximately 150 ° -160 °, thereby ensuring overlap. The control unit for one operator ensures the detection of a target within the range of the missile and its launch. The control unit can be connected to the upper echelon operational control network.
