Northrop Grumman has offered Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) a role in production of the RQ-4AGlobal Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to improve the chances of a sale to the Israeli air force.
Talks began in May, continuing during last month's Paris air show. Israeli sources say the offers made so far by the US company are not enough to justify an agreement. IAI is developing its own UAVs, including the Heron long range/endurance platform and other classified systems.
IAI has said that any deal should include mutual investment in new technology development - not just licence production. The talks continue.
The Israeli air force is expanding its use of UAVs and some say it will emphasise long-range systems, for intelligence gathering missions in "second tier" countries like Iran and Iraq.
Northrop Grumman's offer is based on the assumption that the Israeli air force will need long range endurance UAVs for its planned Boost Phase Launcher Intercept system.
This is designed to locate ballistic missile launchers and attack them with missiles launched from UAVs.
The Global Hawk could serve as the platform for sensors and as a relay between the offensive UAVs and the ground stations.
Source: Flight International
