An Australian C-130J in Afghanistan. Israel will receive the C-130J in 2013. Photo: Lockheed Martin
The first C-130J destined for the Israel Air Force was painted in IAF colors March 1, 2013. Photo: John Rosino, Lockheed martinAlthough the first C-130J is not expected to arrive in Israel before 2013, the IAF has already named the new transporter – Samson. Providing Hebrew names to its aircraft is a tradition with the IAF. The actual name represents a change in the tradition – until now IAF planes were named after birds or animals.
An Australian C-130J in Afghanistan. Israel will receive the C-130J in 2013. Photo: Lockheed MartinCurrent C-130 models are designated ‘Karnaf’ (Rhino). Others are named after birds of prey (F-16A/B Netz, F-15C/D Baz, E-2C Daya, A-4H Eagle, etc.), serpents (AH-64D Peten, AH-1 Zefa) or mamals (Boeing 707 Reem). Two of the most recent were Marine birds – Eitam and Nachshon. The later can also be attributed to a biblical hero, but Samson represents a precedence, being called after a Biblical hero rather than an animals. There were some exceptions to this tradition, with the – many of the latest strike fighters to join the IAF were called after weather phenomena – F-16C/D Barak, F-15I Raam and F-16I Sufa while the F-4E Phantom was named Kurnas – one of a few aircraft named after a tools (Sledgehammer).
The ongoing wars in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and the Middle East have emphasized drones as a new and rapidly changing tool of warfare. First manifested in the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the...
Unlike the land campaign in Gaza that involved mostly ground forces on both sides, most activities on other fronts were conducted in the aerial domain, which tasked Israeli air defense forces to spread out their assets, learn to adapt and improve under fire, and engage different threats, the new techniques, and tactics developed by the enemy. This article outlines Israel's current and evolving air and missile defense capabilities in retrospect of the recent events.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and Lockheed Martin are collaborating to provide Net-Enabled Weapons (NEW) capability for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The addition of NEW capability for SeaGuardian will bolster the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T) capability for the aircraft, enabling the platform to rapidly engage targets based on real-time intelligence collected by its sensors. Such capabilities are already supported by the MQ-9 but were not yet implemented by the MQ-8B SeaGuardian.
BAE Systems’ fourth Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) prototype is being showcased at Eurosatory this week. Configured with a common top plate, also known as the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP), the prototype showcases the vehicle’s ability to integrate capabilities and equipment packages internationally. The new turret uses Oshkosh / Rafael MCWS turret selected by the US Army for the Stryker. BAE Systems has also introduced Elbit Systems UT30 gun turret, Patria's Nemo mortar turret and Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) for the CUAS variant.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace teams with German partners Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland to develop the Tyrfing, an advanced Super-Sonic Strike Missile (3SM). The new missile is expected to replace the Naval Strike Missile...