Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will lead the effort to win US Federal Aviation Administration certification for an Israeli-developed system to protect passenger aircraft from shoulder-launched missiles. This was agreed at a meeting with the government at IAI headquarters in Ben Gurion International Airport.
The Israeli ministry of defence had already recommended that all Israeli passenger aircraft flying on international routes should be equipped with systems to counter the threat of shoulder-launched missiles, and the government had agreed to fund the $60 million programme to equip the fleet (Flight International, 10-16 December).
Three potential systems were discussed at the meeting chaired by Amos Yaron, director-general of the Israeli MoD. IAI sources say that although the MoD is evaluating the three systems, only IAI can lead an FAA certification process because of its experience as an aircraft manufacturer.
The sources estimate that it will take at least eight months to win certification. IAI is already holding talks with US companies that are interested in becoming partners in the programme in an effort to expedite the certification process. Israeli companies Elisra and Rafael have contacted IAI about co-operation in the programme.
Source: Flight International
