(Source: Rada Electronic Industries Ltd.; issued March 3,
2005)
NETANYA, Israel --- RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. today announced
that it has successfully completed the prototype of the avionic
upgrade project for the A-4 Skyhawk for the Israeli Air Force.
Today, during the afternoon, the ceremony presenting the prototype
for the first time, will take place in the Israeli Air Force base
in Hazerim.
RADA won its first A-4 Skyhawk contract with the Israeli Air Force
in January 2003, for the supply of the ACE-II system for advanced
debriefing. The system operates in conjunction with a ground system
that shows the pilot his flight performance in video and
three-dimensional graphics. At the beginning of 2004, the project,
led by RADA, turned into a full avionics system upgrade.
The upgrade program includes design and installation of a Ring
Laser Gyro (RLG) and Global Positioning System (GPS) based
navigation system, Head-Up Display (HUD) units, weapons management
and control systems, and an advanced display and control system for
the pilot. In the project, all Skyhawk jets used by the Israeli air
force will be upgraded, half are single-seater models and the
remainder are twin-seater models.
The Israeli Air Force recognizes the importance of advanced
debriefing system, which enables better and more efficient training
program for pilots, and always ensures that it uses the best
debriefing systems available. Today, a significant portion of
fighter jets used by the Israeli Air Force are equipped with
debriefing systems made by RADA. The new F-16I squadrons of the
Israeli Air Force are also equipped with the "Reality" system, one
of the most advanced debriefing systems made by RADA.
Adar Azancot, RADA's Chief Executive Officer commented: "The
selection of RADA, for performing an upgrade project, by the
Israeli Air Force is proof of its trust in RADA - both its people
and its products. We are proud to be partners in such a special
event for the defense industry, in which the first upgraded
prototype jet will be presented and will be known from now on as
"The Improved Skyhawk". The performance of the jet, as test-flights
have proved so far, will guarantee that also in the future, the Air
Force Flight Academy will have the best and most advanced jets for
training the Israeli pilots of tomorrow."
In the upgrade program, RADA co-operated with the LAHAV division of
Israel Aircraft Industries. IAI will also be maintaining these jets
during their use by the Israeli Air Force. In addition, other
Israeli companies including Nir Or and Vectop have been working
with RADA, as subcontractors, on the program. Vectop, whose assets
were recently acquired by RADA, is engaged in the design,
development and marketing of electro-optic and debriefing
equipment. It was the supplier of the camera for the Head-Up
Display units.
RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. is an Israel based company involved
in the military and commercial aerospace industries, with 110
staff. The company specializes in Avionics, Ground Debriefing
Stations (Video, ACMI and Maintenance) and Electro optic cameras
for a/c and armored vehicles.
I guess this means skyhawks still got use and we don't need to
scrap them anymore after NGF.
