Israel pays for additional F-35s

Program progress, politics, orders, and speculation
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
 
Posts: 52
Joined: 05 Apr 2019, 18:06

by notkent » 09 Jan 2020, 15:01

The slinging around of ballistic missiles will probably be good for defense sales in the region


User avatar
Elite 1K
Elite 1K
 
Posts: 1722
Joined: 02 Feb 2018, 21:55

by marsavian » 17 Jan 2020, 10:18

Israel Air Force inaugurates its second F-35 squadron

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-ai ... -squadron/

The Israeli Air Force on Thursday inaugurated its second squadron of F-35 fifth-generation stealth aircraft, known as the “Lions of South,” reviving the historic 116th Squadron.

“The Air Force shoulders a great responsibility daily. From now, the 116th Squadron returns and becomes part of our strategic arm, part of our qualitative advantage over our enemies,” Israeli Air Force chief Amikam Norkin said at the ceremony at the Nevatim air base in the Negev desert where they will be based.

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin congratulated the IAF on the inauguration. “We’re proud to support Israel and the IAF with the F-35, the world’s most advanced aircraft that provides unmatched capabilities to enable allies to secure peace around the world,” Lockheed said “We look forward to delivering the next 30 F-35s by 2024 that will continue to strengthen Israel national security for decades to come.”

Last year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran that Israel’s F-35 fighter jets can reach “anywhere in the Middle East,” following threats against Israel by senior Iranian officials.

“Lately, Iran has been threatening Israel with destruction,” Netanyahu said. “It should remember that these planes can reach every place in the Middle East, including Iran, and of course also Syria.”

The F-35 stealth jet is not believed to have an effective range to reach Iran unassisted, but it could conduct operations there with in-air refueling, a capability possessed by Israel’s air force.


User avatar
Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 28404
Joined: 05 May 2009, 21:31
Location: Australia

by spazsinbad » 27 Jan 2020, 06:38

How Israel Keeps Its Edge 27 Jan - 09 Feb 2020 AvWeak 69 page PDF:

Cover: https://aviationweek.com/sites/default/ ... 27_CVR.jpg

https://aviationweek.com/sites/default/ ... 0127_0.pdf (8.3Mb) [LOCKED - NO EDITING ALLOWED]

FOUR PAGE PDF of ISRAEL article excerpted below attached (reprinted PRN)
ISRAEL'S BNET DATA LINK HAS BEEN INTEGRATED ON F-351
Steve Trimble Jan-Feb 2020

"...Given a relatively small, self-contained military, Israel also has another advantage compared to NATO: an ability to affordably upgrade networks over time. The introduction of faster microprocessors during the last decade, such as the Intel i3, allowed Rafael to take the next step. Although somewhat unnoticed outside the country, the IDF has deployed Rafael's new BNET data link across the military over the last five years. In a largely unheralded achievement, Rafael has integrated BNET on the F-35I- one of the key upgrades, along with an Israeli electronic warfare suite, for Israel's unique variant of the Lightning II.

"If our competitors talked about one, two, five or 10 [Mbps], we talk about 20 and 40 [Mbps] on the reception rate," another Rafael employee says, describing BNET.

As a software-defined radio, the BNET data link is able to transmit and receive using multiple waveforms, solving one of the hardest problems of interoperability within a military. By using a directional antenna with a narrow 1.2 deg. of divergence, transmissions have a low probability of intercept...."

AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/JANUARY 27-FEBRUARY 9, 2020

Source: https://aviationweek.com/sites/default/ ... 0127_0.pdf
Attachments
CoverAvWeakIsraelF-35i.jpg
ISRAEL EDGE Aviation Week & Space Technology - January 27-February 9, 2020 PRN pp4.pdf
(1.8 MiB) Downloaded 1441 times
F-35iFormJerusalemAvWeakFORUM.jpg


User avatar
Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 28404
Joined: 05 May 2009, 21:31
Location: Australia

by spazsinbad » 19 Feb 2020, 23:55

Israel Buys Stealth & Lotsa Weapons: 2nd Squadron Of F-35s & F-15s
18 Feb 2020 Arie Egozi

"TEL AVIV: After a long internal debate, Israel’s military has decided to buy both another Lockheed Martin F-35 squadron AND another Boeing F-15 squadron, in a deal estimated at $3 billion.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) general staff’s decision reflects the scope of missions the IAF will have to deal with in any major confrontation, especially one with Iran. Sources close to the issue say that, while the F-35’s stealth and advanced sensors are essential for some situations, in later phases of combat Israel will need other aircraft, ones with advanced avionics that can operate in conjunction with the F-35 and carry heavy loads of weapons. Israel has developed a variety of such weapons and the source that talked with Breaking Defense said, “we need a heavy truck for these systems.” That truck would be the F-15.

Eitan Ben Eliyahu former commander of the IAF, told Breaking Defense that the F-35 will add two main capabilities to the IAF: “The stealth is one major capability especially in our region, where enemy countries are operating huge numbers of ground-to-air weapons. The second capability is the one that allows this aircraft to receive and distribute all kinds of combat data from a long list of sensors. This is very important for an air force that is performing combat missions almost continuously.”

So far, Israel has signed contracts for 50 F-35s. The plan is to buy 25 more. That was the desired size of the F-35 fleet when the IAF decided to buy the stealth fighter. SO Are THE 25 MORE THEY ARE BUYING A SURPRISE?

The voices for the purchase of more F-35 were based on its capability to gather and share intelligence. “With the threats Israel faces this capability is essential,” one of the sources said. Last year the IAF’s F-35 participated in a massive exercise and proved their capability to serve as “targets generator” for other fighter aircraft.

One of the main scenarios is attacking targets protected by Russian made S-300 and S-400 surface – air missiles. The F-35’s participated for the first time in such an exercise, designed to penetrate the northern sector, and proved their worth. The F-35 is the only aircraft designed with a requirement that it be able to defeat advanced Russian SAM systems, like the S-300, which are operational in Syria. The IAF did not explain why the exercise simulated areas protected by the more advanced S-400, like the ones purchased by Turkey. One explanation may be based on Turkey’s declaration that it might deploy the S-400 near its border with Syria....

...The Lockheed Martin F-35 test aircraft will be delivered to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) later this year together with six additional aircraft part of the 50 under contract. So far twenty aircraft have been delivered. The IAF has prepared a list of weapon systems and “functional” systems that it intends to test on special F-35 test aircraft to be delivered this year. It was built according to specifications that took two years to prepare.

The aim of the special aircraft is to help test Israeli-developed systems to the IAF’s F-35’s. “All our platforms have been upgraded to enable stretching the flight envelope while using the unique weapon systems made by the Israeli industries,” an IAF officer from its flight test center said.

The test aircraft will enable the flight test center to enhance the capabilities of the F-35 (Adir) in air-air and air-ground missions using the highly classified systems developed for this purpose in Israel.

Some of the Israeli defense companies have been busy adapting unique electronic systems and weapon systems that fit the operational requirement of the IAF. The Israeli companies that are developing systems for the IAF’s F-35’s are reluctant to provide any details about the systems under development, but sources say the focus is on special air-to-ground systems and systems that can enhance the F-35 capabilities as a “knowledge center” for other forces in the air, on the ground and at sea."

Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2020/02/isr ... 35s-f-15s/


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 00:00

This has been expected for sometime now...


Clearly, buying a squadron of F-15's under pressure from Washington. Just like the USAF....


Active Member
Active Member
 
Posts: 192
Joined: 27 Dec 2012, 02:47

by fbw » 20 Feb 2020, 02:22

Corsair1963 wrote:This has been expected for sometime now...


Clearly, buying a squadron of F-15's under pressure from Washington. Just like the USAF....


Doubtful considering Israel requested (and was turned down) more F-15E’s twice before. Israel has a defense industry lobby, same as U.S. One issue, as stated in Israeli press, is that Israeli defense interests have a large share in customizing F-15’s with Israeli specific equipment, a share which is much more limited and just getting started with their F-35I’s. That, and they have much more flexibility on which weapons are integrated on the F-15’s (again indigenous defense industry considerations, but also operational sovereignty).

Internal politics, lobbying, and their concerns over their ability to act independently with Israeli specific weapons and scenarios are behind the push for more F-15’s, not U.S. government pressure.


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 02:44

fbw wrote:
Corsair1963 wrote:This has been expected for sometime now...


Clearly, buying a squadron of F-15's under pressure from Washington. Just like the USAF....


Doubtful considering Israel requested (and was turned down) more F-15E’s twice before. Israel has a defense industry lobby, same as U.S. One issue, as stated in Israeli press, is that Israeli defense interests have a large share in customizing F-15’s with Israeli specific equipment, a share which is much more limited and just getting started with their F-35I’s. That, and they have much more flexibility on which weapons are integrated on the F-15’s (again indigenous defense industry considerations, but also operational sovereignty).

Internal politics, lobbying, and their concerns over their ability to act independently with Israeli specific weapons and scenarios are behind the push for more F-15’s, not U.S. government pressure.


Your wrong as US pressure to keep the Boeing Production Line in St. Louis, MO going is considerable. As Trump needs Democrats to support his massive Defense Bills. To win their support he needs to support the F-15EX. (among others) Which, is in the heart of Democratic Territory!


Especially, as pressure grows on an ever tighter US Budget. Which, will make it harder and harder for the USAF to acquire it's own F-15EX's.

Old saying............."all politics is local" :shock:

Also, let's not forget than Boeing is "hemorrhaging money" over the B737 MAX controversy!


User avatar
Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 28404
Joined: 05 May 2009, 21:31
Location: Australia

by spazsinbad » 20 Feb 2020, 03:05

How about penalties for BOING! FRANKEN TANKER KC-46 debacle? NO SEEum on the VIDDY/FILLum for a BOOMING view.


Elite 2K
Elite 2K
 
Posts: 2024
Joined: 20 Nov 2014, 03:34
Location: australia

by optimist » 20 Feb 2020, 03:14

Well the f-15 carries a whopping 23000 lb. While the F-35 carries a measly 18000+lb.

It might just be political :doh:
Europe's fighters been decided. Not a Eurocanard, it's the F-35 (or insert derogatory term) Count the European countries with it.


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 03:15

Politics is a very very big part of the equation............ :?


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 03:16

optimist wrote:Well the f-15 carries a whopping 23000 lb. While the F-35 carries a measly 18000+lb.

It might just be political :doh:



In the "Real World" the F-15EX never carries 23,000 lbs. Just like it "NEVER" fly's at Mach 2.5. Honestly, how many times do we have to discuss this...


:?
Last edited by Corsair1963 on 20 Feb 2020, 04:16, edited 2 times in total.


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 03:27

Israel rolls out new wartime plan to reform armed forces


JERUSALEM — Israel has announced a new multiyear plan to restructure its armed forces to face existing and potential future adversaries for decades.


The plan, called “Tnufa” in Hebrew and “Momentum” in English, has been a priority for Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, the Israel Defense Forces’ chief of the General Staff, over the last year. The plan envisions fighting a multi-front war and harnessing the latest technologies to bring the most effective firepower from the largest number of different units to the forefront of the battlefield.


Momentum also seeks to shorten the time of a conflict while achieving more success on the battlefield and lessening the impact of war on civilians. Forces will be streamlined with the goal of a “swift and massive use of force against enemy systems,” the IDF said during a briefing about the plan..................


https://www.defensenews.com/global/mide ... ed-forces/


Senior member
Senior member
 
Posts: 306
Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 10:07

by fang » 20 Feb 2020, 08:24

Corsair1963 wrote:This has been expected for sometime now...
Clearly, buying a squadron of F-15's under pressure from Washington. Just like the USAF....

You might be right but it does'nt mean it's the less good choice.
On the table two package deals: from Boeing F-15IA + KC-46 + CH-47F and from LM F-35i + CH-53K + A330 MRTT.
So, what the IAF doing? a mixture of F-35i + F-15IA + KC-46 + CH-53K or CH-47F (not decided yet).

BTW: F-15IA is the Israeli version of th F-15EX
http://www.boeing.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%95%D7 ... anced.page


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 11:04

fang wrote:
You might be right but it does'nt mean it's the less good choice.
On the table two package deals: from Boeing F-15IA + KC-46 + CH-47F and from LM F-35i + CH-53K + A330 MRTT.
So, what the IAF doing? a mixture of F-35i + F-15IA + KC-46 + CH-53K or CH-47F (not decided yet).



It is a poor choice as the F-35 is vastly more capable and even cheaper!

Let's see it will be a few years before these new F-15EX/IA's would arrive. (2025+) When, they do they would have service life of 20-30 years. So, you think they will be a viable platform in the year 2045 or 2055!

Now if you want a stop-gap for a decade. Plenty, of second hand Eagles on the market. Which, Israel could easily upgrade....(not that either is a good option)


Elite 5K
Elite 5K
 
Posts: 9792
Joined: 19 Dec 2005, 04:14

by Corsair1963 » 20 Feb 2020, 11:07

BTW Israel just rolled out a new wartime plan to reform it's armed forces! The F-35 clearly speaks to that plan. The F-15IA doesn't....

(which I posted above)


PreviousNext

Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests